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Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General Discussion | Message format |
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | I used the search function in the forum, but could not find a really useful thread on this. Anybody know how to repair antennas? I have a pair of those sought after rear antennas for my Dodge (a Plodge..), and both masts were broken off. Is there a DIY guide to repair these things? I have the hardware, the bases and four old 1950's Chrysler antenna masts to choose from, but I have no idea where and how a lead should be connected and how to ground the antenna, etc. Since I won't be using the radio all that much, I had planned to repair and hook up one antenna only as a functionnal unit, and only install a mast in the other one as a dummy antenna. Also, anybody reproduce the small rubber bushing at the base of the mast??.. I will need those. Thanks! Edited by soiouz 2014-07-13 9:25 PM | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | I'm following your lead. | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | This is basically what I'm starting with: (image.jpg) (image.jpg) (image.jpg) Attachments ---------------- image.jpg (170KB - 195 downloads) image.jpg (200KB - 184 downloads) image.jpg (138KB - 198 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I am not familiar with the Plymouth antennas like I am with the DeSoto-Chrysler units, but I have repaired many of the latter. The masts are all the same, so changing that part out is simple. But your underside base (tube) and leads (wire) lengths vary per application, so one needs to reuse the bases, or find good fitting replacements that clear the obstructions in each kind of car. I suspect your clearances on the Plodge are much tighter than on the DeSoto, with its full-fin- height area to play with. Co-ax replacement is pretty straight forward. Most of the connection points are buried, so you can be less-than-perfect in your finish. Back in the day, I took the time to gather the long leads and sets as I found them (not just grabbing the antennas), so I have a nice stash for future needs. John Fowlie should be able to help you there. | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Doctor DeSoto - 2014-07-13 11:13 PM I am not familiar with the Plymouth antennas like I am with the DeSoto-Chrysler units, but I have repaired many of the latter. The masts are all the same, so changing that part out is simple. But your underside base (tube) and leads (wire) lengths vary per application, so one needs to reuse the bases, or find good fitting replacements that clear the obstructions in each kind of car. I suspect your clearances on the Plodge are much tighter than on the DeSoto, with its full-fin- height area to play with. Co-ax replacement is pretty straight forward. Most of the connection points are buried, so you can be less-than-perfect in your finish. Back in the day, I took the time to gather the long leads and sets as I found them (not just grabbing the antennas), so I have a nice stash for future needs. John Fowlie should be able to help you there. Ok, i think i understand. Space is indeed limited in this area of a plymouth trunk, and actually, judging by the shape of the the fitting that holds the mast in the base, it must not have retracted much in there.. By the way, the masts i have found are much longer than the ones that would have been in these bases.. This might be a stupid question, but is cutting a piece off the lower end of the masts going to ruin them, or could they still be used afterwards? As for the cables, i had planned using one of the old cables from one of the four parts antennas i got. Another stupid question, maybe, but am i correct in thinking that the inner part of the antenna is a live lead, and the outer part is ground? Edited by soiouz 2014-07-14 9:35 PM | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | soiouz - 2014-07-14 9:33 PM As for the cables, i had planned using one of the old cables from one of the four parts antennas i got. Another stupid question, maybe, but am i correct in thinking that the inner part of the antenna is a live lead, and the outer part is ground? I think that is correct to a point. I think the entire mast is the "input". So, it must be insulated from everything else that is metal. I think the co-ax cable is for protection for the inner conductor which is, the mast itself, and the spiral co-ax shielding needs to be crimped/soldered/screwed to the base (which is grounded to the body) to protect it from outside interference. David, years ago I made up a bunch of these from parts like you have. I really don't remember what I did but it couldn't have been too difficult. It seems to me that I've seen the inner conductor of the co-ax screwed to the bottoms of masts. Soldered to masts and connected to the mast by a slide-on type of fitting. Whatever fit the package! As I recall, the inner conductor is usually loose and with enough length to add wire to it and/or fasten it in any manner as I outlined. Hope this might help!! Greg | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | Further to my last post, I wouldn't be concerned about the overall length of the mast. Just remember that the TRUE ORIGINAL ones were three section and the second and third sections had tapered or stepped ends to them. I still have an NOS one that I can photo if you want. Greg | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Thanks for the info, Greg, it's really helpful. I think I only have one mast with tapered top sections, unfortunately.. The other ones are straight. I'll have to keep searching untill I have at least to identical masts... | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | I think the tapered/stepped masts are rare. Most restored cars in the last 20 years probably won't have them!! I don't even have a pair on my Regal and that says something!! I wonder how many people even know about them. Greg | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | These NOS antennas do not have neck down masts... Weird that it says its for a 1961 hardtop plymouth? the part number matches 1961... Mounting instructions are for a 57-59... Im just wondering if this is the accessory guy "phoning it in" that day of work going "the dealer will figure it out".. And then I found this, the 60 plymouth mentions dual rear antennas on the price list. Maybe the fin type? http://1960plymouth.com/Sales_Book.htm (61DualAntPartNum.jpg) (61DualAntenna1.jpg) (61DualAntenna2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 61DualAntPartNum.jpg (179KB - 158 downloads) 61DualAntenna1.jpg (241KB - 177 downloads) 61DualAntenna2.jpg (244KB - 166 downloads) | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | here is the 1960 plymouth ordering page. ill have to take a look for that 61 part number, dont know how could those ever fit on a 61 plymouth unless far outboard. You might have a better chance at putting them on a 60 plymouth, ive seen lots of 61 dodges with Duals but havent seen an actual pic of the base. (Page_18.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Page_18.jpg (187KB - 166 downloads) | ||
d500dodge59 |
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Veteran Posts: 245 | cant se the base good but what i can se this is same as 58-59 dodge | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | yeah those are the 57-59 bases... why would they give it a 1961 part number? they list dual antennas as accessories in 60/61 | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9670 Location: So. Cal | Often they would revise a part to fix a known problem. That may be the case here, I don't know. Has anyone converted these dual rear antennas to power operation? What is a good power unit with the proper diameter of mast and attachment that will work with the bezels? I am referring specifically to the Chrysler/DeSoto versions, but info on the Dodge/Plymouth would be nice too. I guess the diameter isn't as important because it can be bushed to make it work, but the attachment needs to be long enough to mate up above the bezels. Hoping someone has already done this. | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | here is a set of duals? maybe those are the flats but they look like they have some slope to them... strange.... (61plymouthAntennas.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 61plymouthAntennas.jpg (90KB - 168 downloads) | ||
billy |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 395 Location: upstate new york | Hey Nathan, I have the same inquiry. Someone once said a Cadillac with dual power antennaes might work, but i have not investigated any further. I am in the same boat as others. I have the duals in the back, but the mast is broken and the rubber surround is missing pieces...it will probably be on this Spring's list of things to do...I may bypass the radio idea altogether and just run my phone thru sonmething maybe in the glove box... billy | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | Found a 60 Plymouth pic with dual rears, not good but shows how they are far outboard... (1960-plymouth-fury-gill-billington.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1960-plymouth-fury-gill-billington.jpg (115KB - 151 downloads) | ||
Rebels-59 |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | mikes2nd - 2019-03-29 4:20 PM Found a 60 Plymouth pic with dual rears, not good but shows how they are far outboard... Those are Chevy Dual Antennas on this 60 Fury,, . | ||
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