Taking apart a '41 Cadillac vacuum antenna assembly

[srk1941]

I have an extra vacuum antenna assembly for my '41, and wanted to get the chrome antenna shaft out to rechrome it.

I see a couple of screws, which are of course frozen in place, but I can't really tell how it's put together.

Does anyone have a diagram, or possibly have done this already?

Is there a secret?

Steven Keylon

[Doug Houston]

We need to know which antenna you have. The 60Special only used the cowl mount antenna from 1939-40. This was because the 41-60S had a 1938 body, and was the only '41 Cadillac that could use that antenna. I believe that the trunk mount antenna for '41-67 and 75 was also the first design.

All other '41 Cadillacs had the fender mount antenna.

The vacuum cylinder had brass and pieces that were threaded into it. Not a smart idea, because brass and aluminum are so far apart on the electromotive series of metals. Try fiirst holding one brass end in a vise, and gripping the cylinder by hand, and turning it. This applies to each end. Thelittle ball on the end of the inner mast rod screws off. Best to not give it to your plater. He'll lose it.

If the pieces don't unscrew, some heat, probably from a heat gun, applied to the cylinder, should break it loose.

The mast and piston will come out of the bottom end, with a few springs and seals from the top end.

You'll see some little spring fingers on the mast pieces. Best to have the plater tape these over, and not plate them. If they aren't working, the mast will never hold in any open position.

[Warren Rauch]

  Cadillac did publish some (2 pages) servicing information on these antennas.  But , it was in the Cadillac Serviceman of May-June 1944.It gives a blow-up of the parts . And tells how to make a special tool for removing the contacts inside the aerial. The early 41 antennias were 7/8 " ID and the late ones were 1.025" ID. Then in 42  they brought out a new model. I'll send you a copy since this is a very hard publication to find. Warren