[tekheavy]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

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.........

Maybe a fender washer with a 3/4" opening placed over the shaft before you push it thru the hole in the fender hole would help. The rubber gasket on top would hide the part of the hole that was too wide. Just thinking out loud.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by tekheavy

Maybe a fender washer with a 3/4" opening placed over the shaft before you push it thru the hole in the fender hole would help. The rubber gasket on top would hide the part of the hole that was too wide. Just thinking out loud.

Actually thats a great thought. I have a metal lathe, so I could easily make a "washer" that could fit it exactly. Thanks again!

Now I have to decide what parts to get, or kit. I am a little confused on stainless steel vs chromed copper, or round vs oval. Seems to be quite few options.

[Gtozy]

So By The Sound Of It The Hole In The Top Of My Quarter Is The Wrong Place For My 68 Antenna.?

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by Gtozy

So By The Sound Of It The Hole In The Top Of My Quarter Is The Wrong Place For My 68 Antenna.?

If its in the quarter, your car might have had a power antenna. Great option. In the front fender, there is a hole in the underbracing so it would be difficult to put it in the wrong place, but I suppose it could get off center within that hole, but not by much. Got picts?

[Gtozy]

Yes my car has the option 383 Electric Antenna. During the restoration i have had to weld up the hole as it was rotted out. Though hope to fit it back up during the rebuild soon.

Can see any mounting bracket inside, i imagine they should have been.

[68ragtop]

a few years ago I had a complete 68 power antenna & was going to install it in my car. I decided to stick with the fender mount & sold it. Mine didn't look like yours, it was a bit different & had a bracket that attached to the wheel well to support the motor. (if I remember correctly) same type of parts as the fender antenna as far as how it passed throughout the qrtr panel.

[Greg Reid]

ragtop, what I've been trying to tell you is that as long as the hole is not larger than the antenna base, you should be able to use it. The mounting tab and screw is what really holds the antenna. The little nib on the side that you keep mentioning as a 'catch' may help stablilze it a bit but it's not really a catch.
Again, between mounting the base with the clip nut and bolt, and tightening the ring nut over the base, the antenna should stay put without much issue.
I could be missing something but from what I'm reading and what I remember about how it all goes together, you should be able to work with the hole you have.

[68ragtop]

Thanks Greg, I decided to order all the parts except for the mast. I figure I can order that later in the project. Who knows I may come across one later anyway. I see what your saying, Once I have the parts in hand it should be a snap. I'll check back in later with my results

[Greg Reid]

Worst case scenario, you may have to weld or JB weld a washer into the hole and re-soze it. The antenna base will cover the repair area.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Worst case scenario, you may have to weld or JB weld a washer into the hole and re-soze it. The antenna base will cover the repair area.

I think somebody used one of those universal antennas with the flip out wings. They must have opened it up a bit to install it from the top. Its just about 1/8" to wide on each side. I like the idea of the washer underneath as long as the extra thickness doest expose threads on the top nut & look goofy. Never looked at one installed closely to see how much room there is. The gasket will for sure cover the opening no problem.

[Greg Reid]

Since the hole is small enough to be covered by the base, just cut a patch with the correctly sized hole and mount it underneath the fender surface at the existing hole with a resized hole in the center. JB weld it if you want....Mount the base in the normal manner. If you have a flanging tool you could make it practically flush with the fender surface. If not, offset will still only be the thickness of the metal. Shouldn't be noticable with the rubber gasket and base over it.
Of course, getting to the underside in that area is nearly impossible with the fender in place.

[68ragtop]

Im really hoping some of you guys are still subscribed to this thread. I ordered a bunch of parts last fall & I am fitting the antenna to the fender to make sure all fits before painting (to happen soon)

The repop antenna base fit poorly. The points that are on the base that are suppose to catch the edge of the hole, are not very deep & pass right through the fender hole & do nothing. So, I cut out a thick washer on the lathe & modified the base some so it would mount securely. Lots of fooling around to be honest.

I think I have everything fitting correctly but want to make sure I understand the orientation of the antenna. It appears it should go straight up & tipped back slightly towards the windshield.

Seeing I have the fender off the car, I have no reference point to straight up. Do you think the hood hinge mounting surface would be perpendicular to the antenna mast?

[68ragtop]

So far, if I use the hood hinge mounting surface as a vertical reference, it would appear the antenna will tip outward when the car is together. Hhmmmmm.

Should go straight up (in/out) & tipped back a bit, correct?

[Greg Reid]

I'm still subscribed and just re-read the thread. Tipped outboard seems wrong to me. I can't tell you exactly how it should tip but I can tell you that mine tips just a little back but it's pretty much vertical in the front to back plane.


PS- I noticed that I said something totally wrong in post #31...a flange tool would do NO good installing a washer from the underside of the fender.

[68ragtop]

Thanks Greg, The washer/spacer I made worked great. After a bunch of grinding away at the aftermarket base, I was able to get it to fit. It appears I have enough room to get it straight upwards. Thanks again for your help, I still need to order a mast, & haven't decided what to do there yet, but I guess I have some time....

68RT

[Greg Reid]

Yeah, you may as well wait until almost done since they are so easily damaged.