The Finial at the end of the Antenna

[Stallion]

Okay, I ordered the antenna repair kit for my '78 and in the instructions, you are supposed to take off the little "finial" at the end of the antenna (the little bulb metal piece). So I got the repair kit, and the kit did not come with a replacement finial. So they want me to take it off of the current antenna I have on right now. But here's the problem...

The replacement mast has a thread at the end of it to screw on the finial. Fine. But then I was trying to get the finial off my the mast on the antenna right now. It's not threaded. It's crimped. And the finial is not threaded either.

How is this supposed to attach onto the mast? It's looking for a threaded finial, but my finial I have on right now is not threaded. I'm sure this little metal piece is about $0.67, but where would I get it? I need to put a finial on the end of the mast, and it's looking for a threaded one. That's not what I have. Where could I get this little tiny replacement part of the mast with a thread?

Thanks!!

TR

 

[JonM]

Vettes.com has one for an 80-82...I don't know if its the same as yours...no picture

http://vettes.com/Parts/ViewParts.asp?catid=24&subid=65&part=CA26405&mde=

 

[Stallion]

Hmmm....what do you think? Is it worth a try to order it? How different could a '78 Finial cap be to an '80 Finial cap?? What are you thinking?

Also, the repair kit told me to nail out the rivets to thread in the nylon cable. Wouldn't there be another way to do this? For one, why would Chevy design it so that you have to take rivets out? Is this standard? And I would have to find/rent a rivet gun to put it back together. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

TR

 

[red70vette]

It sounds as though you are trying to reinvent the wheel to fit an incorrect repo part. I would suggest you return it and look for a more correct part. Perhaps someone on the board has had this repair before.

I have been guilty of the same thing in the past but no more. If the repro part is wrong it goes back and the seller gets a piece of my mind. Repro parts are getting more shoddy everyday and I have had enough grief trying to make them fit properly when they where manufactured poorly.

 

[berky2500]

I just replaced the mast in my antenna, an 85, I don't know if yours is the same, but it is probably similar. I had to drill out four rivets or so in order to get into the antenna motor. Don't believe that GM made things in order to be easily serviceable, many components were designed to replaced in whole, not repaired.

Remember, you are trying to economically take care of a 25 year old auto. Try that with another vehicle.

Just follow the directions, you should be fine, there should be some clips to hold the housing together when you are done.

 

[Culprit]

Howdy Stallion,

Wal-Mart (or your New Joisey equivalent) should sell a rivet gun (with about 4 different die sizes) for about $8.00 and a pack of various size rivets for about $2.00.

Culprit

 

[GerryLP]

Stallion,

I recommend that you NOT try to install rivets on to the housing. As Berky said, there should be some clips on several places around the housing split-line. The plastic housing will not take the pressure from regular pop rivets, and this could cause your housing to crack or break. The clips will hold the housing just fine; however, if you want peace of mind, then install regular hardware in place where the rivets were. The only exception to this, I would say, is that you want to keep your vehicle stock for "survivor" competition at the NCRS. However, are those rivets available at Corvette Central or other Corvette parts place?

GM had this habit (or has this habit still??) to rivet components in place. I think that they used it to avoid legal problems on workmanship. For example, the brake rotors were rivetted onto the hubs, but is clearly visible that the wheel retaining nuts hold the wheel which in turn hold the brake rotor.

Before joining the housing back together, try to use some RTV sealant to prevent water from entering.

 

[JonM]

I once repaired a mast housing...in place of the rivits I used brass machine screws with lock washers and nuts...just a thought

 

[Stallion]

So I would take the rivets out as needed, and then just put screws back in place of the rivets instead of riveting again? That doesn't sound bad, right? Besides that little stock tidbit, what would be the downside to this?

Thanks.

TR

 

[berky2500]

Shouldn't be anything wrong with the brass hardware, or even stainless. As long as the bolts are not too long to interfere with anything else in the fender.

No downside, as long as you don't overtighten them and crack the housing.

Don't forget the silicone.

 

[Stallion]

Shouldn't be anything wrong with the brass hardware, or even stainless. As long as the bolts are not too long to interfere with anything else in the fender.

No downside, as long as you don't overtighten them and crack the housing.

Don't forget the silicone.

Okay, I think I will put in this hardware then instead of rivets are the repair. How would I know which screws I would need to get anyways?

 

[Jack]

Before joining the housing back together, try to use some RTV sealant to prevent water from entering.

I've never had one of these apart ... so I really don't know. Just wondering? ... seems some water would get into the housing from mast, condensation etc ... seems you'd wanna have a way out at bottom ... seems totally sealing housing may not be best ... seems sealing most of housing but leaving a small gap unsealed at lowermost would be best. Again, never been into antenna housing so I dunno.
JACK:gap

 

[Stallion]

I've never had one of these apart ... so I really don't know. Just wondering? ... seems some water would get into the housing from mast, condensation etc ... seems you'd wanna have a way out at bottom ... seems totally sealing housing may not be best ... seems sealing most of housing but leaving a small gap unsealed at lowermost would be best. Again, never been into antenna housing so I dunno.
JACK:gap

That's a good point. But there really shouldn't be an condensation in it. Down the mast is a gasket that is plastic and should pretty much seal it. And since I have it new, it should prove to be effective.

 

[berky2500]

There is an electrical motor in there with exposed windings and contacts. Any moisture is bad, there shouldn't be any condensation. The motor gears should also be well greased, and moisture will cause problems there also.

Seal it well if you want it to last. The rubber grommet/gasket at the top will do it's job if installed correctly.

 

[GerryLP]

Jack,

The L81's assembly has a rubber grommet at the bottom of the mast with a drain hole in it.