Our friend Barney E, who’s been rebuilding Buick Grand National, Turbo T, and Regal T-type antennas for many years, sent us this important info!
Some Turbo Buick owners may not care that they are not acquiring genuine OEM type parts when they replace thier power antennas. They just want working units.
Others however, who insist or need to have the real deal, should be aware!
.
I have some information about fake / reproduction Delco antenna that are surfacing and most owners are not aware they are not original.
Watch out for NEW Delco antenna that are actually Chinese reproductions.
I first ran into these when a GN vendor sent me several New antenna that were not working.
Upon inspection they were not Delco made.
Here is what to look for on the outside and photos (below) of some of the issues.
.
(1) the gold tinted mast tube on a Delco has a seam with tack welds along the seam
the reproductions have a solid tube.
(2) the Delco mast has a crush section at the top that conforms to the underside of the fender.
the reproductions has a rigid top mount
(3) Delco mast has a small silver label with part number and date code.
reproduction antenna do not have a label.
(4) Delco mast have a 3 digit ID number stamped on the mast about 5 inches from the top.
reproductions have no ID number.
(5) on the black motor housing, a Delco will have Delco Products Made in USA or Delco Products USA molded into the plastic.
The reproduction units have just Delco Products.
Inside the motor brush assembly uses poorly heat treated snap switch material that deforms easily then no longer works.
The mast are also made of poor quality brass alloy that bends much easier than the original Delco.
While they look alike the parts are not interchangeable, you cannot fit a Delco brush assembly into the reproduction units.
Hope this prevents someone from purchasing one of these inferior look alike products!
.
Thanks Barney for this informative information!
.
.
