[68ragtop]

I need to purchase an antenna for my 68. Looking up the parts, it would appear it will be a bit of an investment & all parts are sold separately. I don't want something that is universal & I want it to look correct, but I am not sure what was even supposed to be on the car. should I look for a used antenna base & replace the other parts? Is it 68/69 gto/lemans only, or are there other GM cars that used the same antenna? I want the antenna to look correct, but It will never be a 100% build sheet restored car. I am adding power windows, tilt column & going with a color change, etc.

Thanks, 68RT

[Greg Reid]

The PY catalog has a good exploded view of what's required. Finding used parts for the unseen portions is doable but the masts seldom survived and the rest of the visible parts you'll probably want new as they are usually scratched up and/or blistered. I do believe the base may be model specific due to the fender shape. I think I used a PY base but can't remember for sure. The mast is the expensive part. I lucked up and got a NOS one from a member here for a great price. User name 'tekheavy'. He may still have one as he sold quite a few.
The internal mount, wire and grommet were PY parts and fit the NOS mast and base well.

[68ragtop]

I just dropped a message to tekheavy. I'll cross my fingers

I will look at the parts page later tonight, Thank you for the direction!

[68ragtop]

So how did these mount originally? Is there supposed to be a hole in the fender for securing the bracket?

[rohrt]

I tried an el-cheapo antenna on my 68 bird. It was complete crap. Not wanting to spend the money on a factory correct antenna I purchased the $50 option from Ames. It think its a really nice piece and very close to the factory look.

[68ragtop]

Looking at the fender again I see there is a slot in a brace near the antenna hole, I am guessing thats where the bracket & screw attach for stability?

I priced the parts on Ames website. Something like $180 for all the parts. Ironically its cheaper to order the parts separately, so I must be looking at something wrong. I post the prices in a bit.

I am surprised how expensive these antennas are as well.

[nytrainer]

Hmmm, I bought the whole enchilada for my 68's antenna when I was in Norwalk this summer. I never checked it against the catalog pic just figured they gave me the right one. The base is totally different (and didn't fit worth a crap IMO) but it wasn't as you pictured. It had two arms that swiveled and caught inside the fender hole (very similar to a how a toggle bolt works). Glad I read this thread... now to figure out how to exchange it for the correct one.

[68ragtop]

Well, don't go by my posted picture just yet. I am learning here too. The picture above I stole from Ccass's ebay auction so I would assume its correct?

my car came with an aftermarket ball mount antenna & I am worried the hole was enlarged. I hope not, finally blocking has already been completed.

[68ragtop]

Here's another one to add to the confusion

or should I say two more??? They look the same, but big price difference.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-Pont...d603a5&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-Pont...d76cb0&vxp=mtr

[nytrainer]

I checked the PY catalog and your pic is correct. Looks like I may have tried to save a few bucks and went with PY 55B which is more of a universal base. It even mentions that some mods are needed. So I was NOT given the wrong part.... but it still fits like crap lol.
I am curious how the one you posted mounts. Is access to underside of fender needed?

[tekheavy]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Looking at the fender again I see there is a slot in a brace near the antenna hole, I am guessing thats where the bracket & screw attach for stability?

I priced the parts on Ames website. Something like $180 for all the parts. Ironically its cheaper to order the parts separately, so I must be looking at something wrong. I post the prices in a bit.

I am surprised how expensive these antennas are as well.

If you open the passenger side door all the way, you'll see where the screw attaches. You'll see a hole there. Pretty sure I was able to install the whole thing thru there too.

[nytrainer]

Thanks Evan. I'll take a peek. I was able to modify the PY 55 as stated in the catalog but the antenna sticks out towards the pass side at an odd angle and the chrome 'Nut" barely engages the threads of the base. Wouldn't be the first (or last) time I had to buy something twice lol.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by tekheavy

If you open the passenger side door all the way, you'll see where the screw attaches. You'll see a hole there. Pretty sure I was able to install the whole thing thru there too.

This is correct. You'll have to use a socket with an extension and open the door wide. You'll see a small hole. The clip nut clips onto the mount as shown, and then you drop the mount through the hole.. You'll have to manipulate it a bit to drop it in and also to line the clip nut up with the hole. You then use the socket and extension to guide the screw trough the hole in the fender.
The '69 assembly manual has a decent shot of how it mounts also.

[68ragtop]

I just found this picture courtesy of eBay. Looks like the notch for the bezel is perpendicular to the edge of the hood? Mine has been cut out larger, It looks like I better find these parts & get them ordered to make sure I don't have to make repairs on the fender.

[Greg Reid]

The notch is not really that important as long as the hole hasn't been enlarged so much that the chrome base drops through it. The notch is just to allow the mounting tab with the clip nut so fit through.
Look at the PY auction photo. When the clip nut/tab is screwed to the hole in the fender, the large threaded portion of the mount extends up through the hole in the fender. It will be mounted solidly after that but with a space all around it on the fender.
The chrome base (with a rubber seal under it) drops down loosely over the threaded portion. A thin chrome notched ring-nut screws onto the larger threads visible in the photo, securing the base to the top of the fender. There's no longer a gap showing anywher. The notches are there on the ring nut for a special spanner (kind of like the ring nut on the '68 ignition switch bezel). People using pliers on these is the reason good used ones are so hard to find.
Now, a smaller nut is slipped up onto the bottom of the mast itself. The mast drops down into the mount until it bottoms out. The small nut is tightened down on smaller set of threads on the very top of the mount, also visible on the auction photo.

[68ragtop]

After looking at pictures of the parts it looked like maybe the notch orientated the bezel? It seems like there is a bit of extra room, but my fear is the two triangle shaped bosses on the base might not grab enough of the sheet metal if the holes is too large. Does anybody know the diameter of the hole, or the diameter of the threaded base?

In the picture of the fender I posted above, I can see the two imprints the bosses left in the metal when it was tightened up. Again, its just picture I found on ebay, so I don't have any details from it.

[Greg Reid]

I think I may have been editing my response while you were typing. Read it and I think you'll understand.

[tekheavy]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

After looking at pictures of the parts it looked like maybe the notch orientated the bezel? It seems like there is a bit of extra room, but my fear is the two triangle shaped bosses on the base might not grab enough of the sheet metal if the holes is too large. Does anybody know the diameter of the hole, or the diameter of the threaded base?

In the picture of the fender I posted above, I can see the two imprints the bosses left in the metal when it was tightened up. Again, its just picture I found on ebay, so I don't have any details from it.

Measuring the gasket opening, it would appear the hole is 3/4 of an inch.

[68ragtop]

That makes sense to me, I just think the hole in my fender was enlarged wider. its slightly egg shaped, & the widest points are where the two points circled on the base would catch the underside of the fender.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by tekheavy

Measuring the gasket opening, it would appear the hole is 3/4 of an inch.

Attachment 383417

That helps a bunch, Thanks for measuring that! Unfortunately it confirms my fear tho. I have 3/4" top to bottom, but 1" side to side were the base should catch. I guess I'll just have to order the parts & see what I need to modify to make it work. Always something with this project.........