Opinion from the Formal Best & Brightest - Antenna

commando1

commando1

Old Man with a Hat
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
37,606
Reaction score
39,024
Location
Sebring, Florida
The power antenna in my 76 NYB finally crapped the bed last night. :BangHead:
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it I guess, it's in the down position.
You hardly see a NOS one. If there if there is one, there's a 50% chance it is a defective one that was put back in the box of the new warranty replacement one.
I found One (1) p/n 3501336 for... Wait for this... $300.00.
Used ones are too much of a crap shoot. They are 40 years old now.
But if one of you guys here feel that you have one that is in VG condition, I will risk buying it.
I'm hesitant about a universal aftermarket unit fitting.
A universal aftermarket manual antenna looks like ****.
Those hidden antennas don't t work in FuBu County.
What would you do, knowing that getting at the power antenna in a Formal means removing the inner fender, unbolting the outer fender and wedging a 2x4 in there (Ouch! My effing new paint job :mad:).

Or should I start buying CD's :(.
 
Last edited:
Just get a portable Satellite radio system and be done.
Set your factory radio to the FM setting required to pick up the satellite,put the satellite radio antennae in an inconspicuous spot,enjoy. Subscription rate do apply...LOL
 
Don't remember where I got it anymore, but I found a universal one that worked with the factory mounting base on my Polara. Had to massage the inner fender to get the motor in, but that's no surprise.

DSCN3592.JPG


DSCN3593.JPG
 
Last edited:
F#ck Mp3s! Analog is the Way, Stan. Buy a Tape Deck for Cheap. And it will be period Correct. Nothing Beats Tapes and Albums. You are being Robbed of True Depth of Sound with a Ipod or a CD. Analog Has the Warmth and Deepness.
 
commando1 said:
Thought of that. Not an option. I'm way too cheap to pay for a subscription service... :p
Click to expand...
I'm pretty cheap too.... But I got used to having XM when I was driving for work so much.

I have one radio and four different "docks" for it. One in my Grand Marquis, one in my truck, one in my 300 and a home dock for the garage. I get the cheapest subscription they have and I have good quality, commercial free music that I can drive across country and never change stations.

Before you discount it, take a look. It's a lot cheaper than buying music.
 
Buy a satellite system you can hide it, plays through existing radio and Howard Stern. Regular radio blows and I'm tried of getting yelled at to buy a new car.
 
67-Fury said:
F#ck Mp3s! Analog is the Way, Stan. Buy a Tape Deck for Cheap. And it will be period Correct. Nothing Beats Tapes and Albums. You are being Robbed of True Depth of Sound with a Ipod or a CD. Analog Has the Warmth and Deepness.
Click to expand...
Well there you go Stan lol How can you argue with such wisdom!? Neil Young knows music!
 
commando1 said:
The power antenna in my 76 NYB finally crapped the bed last night. :BangHead:
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it I guess, it's in the down position.
You hardly see a NOS one. If there if there is one, there's a 50% chance it is a defective one that was put back in the box of the new warranty replacement one.
I found One (1) p/n 3501336 for... Wait for this... $300.00.
Used ones are too much of a crap shoot. They are 40 years old now.
But if one of you guys here feel that you have one that is in VG condition, I will risk buying it.
I'm hesitant about a universal aftermarket unit fitting.
A universal aftermarket manual antenna looks like ****.
Those hidden antennas don't t work in FuBu County.
What would you do, knowing that getting at the power antenna in a Formal means removing the inner fender, unbolting the outer fender and wedging a 2x4 in there (Ouch! My effing new paint job :mad:).

Or should I start buying CD's :(.
Click to expand...
if you are willing to buy a good used one for a reasonable price you would still have to pull the inner fender well out. so why don't you do it now. maybe it is something simple you can fix. just a thought. and leave the two by four in there.
 
Step up, and buy the $300 "new" antenna IMO.. This is the only real fix.

I know it sucks, but think this is the only way you will truely be happy.
 
I watch a lot of Power Block on Spike TV. One episode of muscle car involved a restoration tip I took notice of. Tommy Br?? had a switch that quit working and was made of unobtainium. He took it apart and soaked it in lemon juice for x amount of time. It made the contacts appear shiny brand new. He applied dielectric grease and reassembled it, viola, it worked as new. My take away was lemon juice (grocery store bottled variety) did not damage the housing but cleaned the conductive surfaces on the contacts. I don't know circuitry wise what makes that antenna function but if corrosion is at fault, lemon juice may solve the problem.
 
This seems to be an ongoing problem with our cars. My antenna doesn't work correctly either.

We have to figure out a way to make a new aftermarket power antenna work and look right. I think it's a matter of mounting the top so the tip is flush with the fender just as Chrysler did it. The other option is adapting the motor and drive to an older unit.

I think I have an old antenna and I know I have a new aftermarket antenna. I'll have to stare at them for a bit and maybe I can work something out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top