antennas? [1989]

[BerniniCaCO3]

I just bought a 1989 colony park for my sister. Among other details, the power antenna goes up, a little crooked, but on the way down, fails to fully retract.
I found a bunch of items on ebay, and wanted to clarify.

First, I can buy just the antenna. Obviously, the motor works. But antenna for $20, full unit for $50-$65...? Is it better to get the entire unit?
But my real question; was 79-91 all one design or were there changes? I saw antennas advertised as being for all sorts of odd years.
Here's one for 90-91:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-91-CROWN-VICTORIA-VIC-FORD-NEW-OEM-POWER-ANTENNA-/390069877802?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ad1f9fc2a#ht_500wt_1081

Would it fit on an 89?
This one says 87-89:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-POWER-ANTENNA-MAST-CROWN-VICTORIA-MERCURY-87-89-/150622839138?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2311d22162#ht_500wt_1180

[marquisman]

im not a 100percent sure(since i convert my cars to standard mast antennas) but i think pre 90(-89) are the same. the difference is in the 90-91 boxes. if i remember right, the 90+ cars have a 2 peice coax cable. 90+ antenna will have a short peice of coax, that will connectjust under the heater core box, to the other coax cable, going to the radio.

[Ike Clanton]

If the motor runs, only the mast needs replaced. You can usually do it with the motor drive unit still in the car, unless the nylon toothed cord that is on the end of the mast has broken and part remains inside the motor drive.

The $20 mast only that AutoZone stocks is not technically the right part because the first mast section's diameter is too small, but it works fine anyway and the only drawback is a bit of wobble.

[Kestas]

I replaced the mast in mine. It works fine except that every so often the whole antenna pops out of its base at full extension.

[gadget73]

REplace just the mast if you can get away with it. getting that antenna motor out of the fender is a bitch. Also, I can tell you from experience that not all models have an antenna connector. 89 Vics and 89 Colony Parks at least require that you fish the antenna cable in one piece from behind the radio all the way out. I put 3 antennas in an 89 CP, one of which I stole from an 89 Vic, and it *sucked*. If you get radio reception now, the parts in the fender are fine, and the mast just needs replacing. Piece of cake if the mast is still there.

[BerniniCaCO3]

mast is still there, just crimped and about to break right off at the base.
Still get reception
Still has a working motor.

Alrighty then-- I've just ordered a mast:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Antenna-Mast-Ford-Lincoln-Mercury-1989-UP-OEM-Mark-VII-VIII-TBird-Cougar-/400265002423?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AGrand+Marquis&vxp=mtr&hash=item5d31a73db7#ht_4953wt_1396

I don't like to mess with things that I'm not quite sure how they come apart, lest I break them. I've already got several trim panels to my name that I've left reassembled with putty because of hidden brittle plastic tabs....
So, how does the mast alone come out/ how is it secured?

thanks!

[BerniniCaCO3]

wait... crap... that's not the right antenna.
Reordering something else now...

[Ike Clanton]

I can't see the picture too well, but if you can't cancel the order don't be surprised if it works anyway.

[gadget73]

i think the masts are all the same. I have a conglomeration of a Mark VII and a Towncar antenna on my car. Mark VII motor and mast, with a Towncar middle section where it mounts against the body, and it works just fine.

[sly]

how does one go about replacing just the mast (that's all mine needs as well)?

[gadget73]

usually you remove the funny looking 2 sided nut thats at the base of the mast, then have someone hold the switch to up while you pull the antenna out carefully. the nylon cord thing will unwind from the drum and pop out. To put the new one in, you feed the cord in, run the motor down until it catches, then carefully feed the cord and new mast into the base. Put the retainer nut back on and you're good.

[sly]

that doesn't sound too bad. I guess that'll be on my list to do soon.

[BerniniCaCO3]

so if I go to a junkyard, I'll need a power source to get one out?
Anyone have an unbent antenna for sale, or, are the ebay ones for $20 usually good? (they fit, and aren't made of aluminum foil?)

[Ike Clanton]

so if I go to a junkyard, I'll need a power source to get one out?
Anyone have an unbent antenna for sale, or, are the ebay ones for $20 usually good? (they fit, and aren't made of aluminum foil?)

If you can undo the cover on the base reel you don't need power, but I'd buy one new.

I can't imagine there'd be anything wrong with an Ebay one.

[BerniniCaCO3]

Alright: only just now got to this!

My old antenna was crimped near the base.
I broke this off and fed the main length out, by having a friend hold the switch.
I then, after a struggle, got the lower nut off.
However! I'm still left with a 1-2" stub of the old base.
How does that come out??

Or... is the replacement antenna meant to shove into this directly?
It came with a main mast, and then two separate base shafts to choose between, each of which has 2 barbs.
If the original has retaining barbs, I can't imagine how I'd reach them from the top?

Thanks!!
-Bernard