dlh61olds Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) I am in the process of locating a source for replacement masts for the 1961-64 power antenna on my Olds cars.Other GM cars used the same antenna but I don't participate on their forumsHow many folks would be interested in a new top mast with new cord (snake)attached??Could be $100 to $130 est.Dave Edited October 24, 2011 by dlh61olds add (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfireelvis Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but I do know of one good guy who had a one-week turnaround fixing the power antenna for my '62 Starfire years ago; his name is Klaus Wojak, and is from Banner Elk, NC as I recall. He advertises in Hemmings, and I Googled him and found this information:Klaus WojakP.O. Box 553241 Hanging RockBanner Elk, North Carolina 28604828-898-9338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Thanx, Klaus will not sell parts.He quoted me $500 for a rebuild.Too rich for my blood.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfireelvis Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Wow, it was half that much for me eight years ago; don't know what (if any) differences there would have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rsd9699 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Just a tidbit about govmo power antenna masts. The different divisions used different tips at the end of the antenna. So the 63 PA from a Pontiac will likely work in a 63 Olds (allowing for mounting brackets) but would not be a 100 percent correct antenna if judging were a factor.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim_Edwards Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 May be a possibility if you know the original part number(s)Obsolete Vintage Radios & Radio Parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaddds Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I would be interested but what is the snake piece? Is that the cable only or what makes the antenna go up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlh61olds Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Some call it a snake, drivewire ,tape, and other names.I mean the part that runs the antenna up or down, looks like a piece ofweedwhacker line , nylon ??Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaddds Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 If its just a question of opening up a working motor unit and putting the parts in/on, sure I'd take one. If it has to go to a specialist to now get it working, probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 (edited) I have been rebuilding the later design (about 1979- present) for several years. I have done 1 1974 Buick power antenna (I dubbed them the "soup can design") and they are completely different. They have gears like a clock and some "timed" contacts. If anyone has a service manual that give details on this design I would be happy to pay for copies and shipping as I would like to learn more about them. I also have a Pontiac owner in VA that is sending me two of thes "soup can" antennas with the understanding I will attempt to make one good one out of two, but I am a the beginning of the learning curve. (one of the two is a CB mast)I can also tell you that the GM plastic cable (probably the snake referred to in an earlier post) became a problem from GM in the last few years. The parts were coming from Delco Mexico and the plastic was brittle when they arrived. I had several fail within a couple of months.Possibly because of parts problems and they were not making enough profit, GM has discontinued almost all the replacement mast parts.I can repair any 1980 and later GM power antenna and would be glad to talk to anyone about the earlier ones....... I am attaching some photos of the different "basic" designes.The first two pictures are of the early "soup can" power antenna, one shows the gears and contacts. The last picture is the late design, it has a black plastic housing (except the first year was off white) and there are some minor changes in the gold colored mast section over the years. The part that attaches at the fender also changes, some have threads, others have a round socket that snaps into the fender adaptor.Barney 512-869-5114 Edited January 4, 2012 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rsd9699 Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 The service manual covers the rebuilding process as far back as the electrics go. The "soap can" are Tenna brand.The CB antenna pictured is the hardest to restore as the loading coil is hard to find where the plastic is not broken.Best of luck in your endeavorers - keep us posted.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Mid 70s a lot of GM cars had a LOCAL/DISTANCE switch on power antennae instead of a raise/lower control switch. The things are automatic when the radio is turned on or off.My 76 Ninety Eight has the aggravating thing. Set to LOCAL, the aerial raises about a foot when the radio turns on. DISTANCE raises it full height. At times, when set in DISTANCE it will lack about 3" retracting all the way into the fender when the radio is turned off.I much prefer the UP/DOWN control scheme on the 60s cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Anyone that has a manual with the antenna repair/rebuild section I would gladly pay for copies of that section. I need the pre-1978 design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Barney, let me look in the shop books and see if any of them have the power antenna service procedures. I think it's in there, but having had only two power antenna cars in my life (and fortunately both worked!) I never really looked thru it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 A year has past and I hope I am a little smarter....... Tenna (Cleveland) made antenna for GM and Ford, maybe others. They seem to have gone out of business in the early 1980's. GM's Delco started with their design as early as 1979.The Tenna antenna was made in two different versions. The basic antenna relied on a dash mounted UP/DOWN switch. They had a second version that had internal switch/contacts that controlled the UP and Down stops. I have repaired some of these but as noted, parts are hard to find and sometimes it takes 2-3 antenna to make one good one. If the mast is bent or broken, the "Tenna and GM mast are not interchangeable so the correct mast is needed. If you need antenna help send me an email (Barney@texas.net) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Barry Ewing Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 On 1/16/2013 at 10:18 PM, Barney Eaton said: A year has past and I hope I am a little smarter....... Tenna (Cleveland) made antenna for GM and Ford, maybe others. They seem to have gone out of business in the early 1980's. GM's Delco started with their design as early as 1979. The Tenna antenna was made in two different versions. The basic antenna relied on a dash mounted UP/DOWN switch. They had a second version that had internal switch/contacts that controlled the UP and Down stops. I have repaired some of these but as noted, parts are hard to find and sometimes it takes 2-3 antenna to make one good one. If the mast is bent or broken, the "Tenna and GM mast are not interchangeable so the correct mast is needed. If you need antenna help send me an email (Barney@texas.net) Barney i am a new member and have got a 1962 olds starfire convt with a bad antenna motor . I have checked the power to the antenna and it is good to that point. I tried to get power through the motor and i think it needs a motor . Hope you can help me . [ Call me at 2314595422 ] OLDtimerolds1962 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Barry, Barney may see this quicker over in Buickland as that's his home forum. Search under Buick General or Buick Technical forums and you'll find him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 I spend most of my time on the Buick forums........I am the BCA technical advisor for Reatta and that is how I became involved with rebuilding the 1980 and later antenna. If you need antenna help........I will gladly walk you thru what I know........PM me or call 512-869-5114 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 16 minutes ago, Barney Eaton said: I spend most of my time on the Buick forums........I am the BCA technical advisor for Reatta and that is how I became involved with rebuilding the 1980 and later antenna. If you need antenna help........I will gladly walk you thru what I know........PM me or call 512-869-5114 I have used Barney for antenna help/rebuilds several times in the past on the earlier power antennas like the one in my 1963 Buick Riviera. He is an invaluable resource. His pricing is fair, he is easy to work with, fast turn around and he is very knowledgeable. If you have an antenna problem or question, Barney is the man. Highly recommended. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just bumping this post as it is over a year old. In addition to repairing original antenna...........I have modified some of the late Delco Slimline (more parts available for these than the '60-'70 Tenna) so they can be used in the "60-'70 GM cars. If you don't care if it is exactly original it can be done... if interested I can tell you what must be done and it can be wired to work with your original UP/DOWN switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now