power antenna history...

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Jan 20, 2001 | 09:10 PM
  #1  
When did GM put power antennas on the F-bodies, the whole run or for certain years? Also, how many of you have one on the car ?And, were they problematic???
As for me, although my RPO says mine is fixed, it's a power one..


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Mike Davis 1984 Pontiac Firebird
2.8L V6 LC1
Camaro Z28 mag rims
Kenwood KDC-215 CD receiver
"Oh I've seen better days
The pain of these memories I cannot drive away" - Econoline Crush "Nowhere Now"
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Jan 20, 2001 | 10:23 PM
  #2  
I am not sure as to what years the power antennas were offered, but you don't see a whole lot of 3rd gens with them anymore. My '86 IROC has one and I had to replace it when i got in '95. The lower part of it was rotted out and the plastic gear line that makes it operate was broken so it constantly ran when power was turned on. I think the new one through GM cost me $120 at the time.

Erik
86 IROC stock showcar
305 TPI 3.23 gears
Code 13 silver glasruit paint/deluxe dk carmine red interior
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Jan 20, 2001 | 10:40 PM
  #3  
I've got one, and the RPO also says it's fixed. The original owner of the car had it fixed or replaced at least once. I've never had trouble with it, but that could be because I never turn the stereo on. Can't hear it over the engine.

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1984 Camaro Z28 Astral Silver w/ 2 1/2" cowl induction hood
Engine: Decked 385 cid 4 bolt w/ oil cooler, 9.6:1 compression, ARP fasteners, 600 cfm Performer carburetor, Torker II intake, Performer RPM Heads, XE268H cam, Magnum roller tip rockers, MSD6AL ignition, Blaster2 coil, recurved HEI distributor
Exhaust: Terminator headers, Custom 3" TIG welded stainless exhaust, Twister muffler
Transmission: 4L60 w/ Corvette servo, .500 boost valve, TransGo 7-CS clutch springs, 700 PKH pump rings, 700-2 reprogramming kit, Borg-Warner High-Energy frictions & bands, 2400 RPM lockup torque converter
Drivetrain: 2.73:1 limited-slip Dana 44 w/ disc brakes
Tires: Front P225/50VR15 Rear P265/50VR15 Eagles

Because you can always sleep in your car, but you can't drive your house.
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Jan 20, 2001 | 11:11 PM
  #4  
I've never had any problems besides having it freezing up a little in the winter. It's just one of those neat features not seen very often on cars. Besides, you can use it to tell the strength of your battery just by the sound of it going up or down
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Jan 21, 2001 | 01:04 AM
  #5  
I just replaced mine. I think they came standard on all GTA's. When I took mine apart the plastic line was broken. Gee, I could have told the engineer who designed that that the plastic was going to break. Why didn't they use some kind of metal wire? Anyway, I put in one off a 92 firebird in. You can repair them with some kit that you can buy from GM. I am assuming all you do is break the plastic housing open and replace the broken wire. There is an article about it here:
http://www.li.net/~rsalerno/antenna.htm

in the article they say you can't pull the antenna out of the fender if the antenna is stuck up. That's a lie. I did it on my car.. you just bend the antenna a tiny bit.. but the rest is correct.

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Jan 21, 2001 | 09:02 AM
  #6  
The antenna on my 83 works fine, the antenna on my 84 has never worked.

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83 T/A 84 T/A 94 25th anniv. T/A and some Fords.
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Jan 21, 2001 | 10:19 AM
  #7  
My GTA has a fixed antenna. Since it's a GM antenna and not an aftermarket, I'm assuming it's stock. I'll have to examine it next time I'm home.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah
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Jan 21, 2001 | 02:19 PM
  #8  
My 82 S/E had one and my 92 GTA has one...

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www.TransAmGTA.com
1992 GTA (226 made), 1 of only 18 "Dk. Jade Met." 92 GTA's, My Window Sticker, LB9, 700R4 4-Speed, T-Tops, Grey Leather, every available option except J65 and U1A.
Current Mods/Upgrades: 80 Series Dual Outlet Flowmaster, TPIS Air Foil, K&N Air Filter, and Mobil 1.
Future Mods/Upgrades: None but a complete restoration.
Best Track Time: 14.6sec@96.6mph

"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is!"
Webmaster www.TransAmGTA.com
My 3rdGen Firebird Message Board!

[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited January 21, 2001).]
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Jan 22, 2001 | 07:55 PM
  #9  
My friend's 85 SC has one and I can't remember if his works right or not. I think I remember him telling me that it wouldn't go down like it was supposed to.

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Red 1986 SC, 2.8L, rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi, t-tops, 134K miles and counting, K&N air filters, hopefully more to come!
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Jan 23, 2001 | 08:12 PM
  #10  
My 89RS has one, lasted about 150K miles before I replaced it. $65 from Bill Lewis Chevy in Suffolk VA. CLub discount.


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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Edelbrock Hi-Flow Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake
1 5/8" Headers
Semi-Siamesed Runners
MSD6AL/relocated MAT/ AdjFPR/IROC frnt@rear swaybar/wonderbar/steeringbox/alum drvshaft/ Alston SFC/3:23posi disc rear/MAC LCA/H.Adams Panhard Rod/KYB struts/ shocks/
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!
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Jan 24, 2001 | 02:52 PM
  #11  
I've got one on my 85 IROC. I've replaced it once.

JamesC

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Jan 25, 2001 | 12:24 PM
  #12  
Had one on my 83 Trans-Am

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84 FIREBIRD-2.8 V6,5spd super economy model
no options except t-tops( not even locking),no tilt,no cruise,no delay wipers,no rear defroter,no a/c,no rear spoiler(i put one on)no pw,pdl,pm,pseat,no gauges(just a 85 mph speedo with no trip odometer and a big f***in' gas gauge)
90 FORMULA 350-
Edelbrock t.e.s,gutted cat,Borla cat-back,LT4 hot cam ,24# injectors,holley h.p. fuel pump,K&N Throttle Body mounted air filter,52mm throttle body,accel 8.8mm wires,plugs cap and rotor,ADS superchip,GTA tailights,T-tops,4th Gen 17's with 275/40ZR17 Comp T/A's,93 Z-28 seats
No E.T's yet.

Previous 3rd gen's
83 Trans-Am 305 CFI auto T-TOP
84 Firebird 305 H.O. auto HARDTOP
87 Firebird 2.8 V-6 auto HARDTOP
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