How do you remove the classic Ford (100 or 250, as the case may be)Twin-I-Beam emblems from the side fenders? I got a new set that look great, but don't want to pry off the old ones if it's going to destroy them.

What do you do with an antenna broken off near the base? The "mast" comes off with (1) screw that also allows orientation adjustment, but is this mast replaceable, or do I have to somehow get inside the fender/cowl and remove the nut holding the base?

 

Well, to answer your post to the best of my knowledge on your antenna, You will need to try and secure the remainder of the portion sticking out pass the nut/screw on the sleeve. And then remove the nut while still holding onto the antenna ( don't allow it to fall into/thru the fender well. Once the nut is remove, there's a butterfly type wingnut under the fender metal inside the hole. While holding the remainder of the antenna, press one section of the butterfly wing nut and slightly pull out the antenna base. The antenna cable (disconnect from radio if hook up) will follow and maybe need to be feed thru your side (kick panel) wall. I hope I describe it enough to give you an ideal on basic removal. I don't know exactly the type of antenna you have, but OEM & basic after market are usually installed the same way.
As for side emblems, it depends IMHO on the condition of your paint. The emblems are held on by studs inserted into prongs into your fender well. You can't reach them from the inside with inner fender well attached. As I first mention it depends on your paint condition. You should beable to pry with a flat object behind the chrome emblem and lightly pry out away the emblem. On one of my slicks I didn't worry about chipping the paint, but the other one I won't replace until next resto. You can easily damaged a fine paint, but a patient man/woman can due it. I have read where someone use a wooden tongue depressor, and was successful, havn't found that tough of tongue depressor yet.

Mitch
Hope this helps.....

 

Thanks for the good info, Customcab. My paint is original and has that cool, faded, worn patina. I really don't care about marking it, so I'll try to carefully pry with plastic or wood.

As far as the antenna: I can't believe there isn't a replacement mast available that just screws onto the base with that (1) screw at the adjustment pivot. I mean, good Lord, I bent my arm backward thru the heater intake hole in the kick panel to just TOUCH the bottom of the antenna base with my fingertips; how the heck do you get a wrench or socket on it?

I guess I'll put that project on the back burner, but I HATE the look of a broken-off antenna.

Thanks!

 

May try and use interior masking tape, not as sticky, and place around the perimeter of the emblem before removing. Found flat ridgid type tool with narrow blade works best. Suggest removing in small increments and start at mount points, that is, where pegs insert into the tubular retaining clips. If also have found the metal that secure the plastic insert is brittle and need to use caution if need to bend to remove. Suggest bending minimun number of the retainers to get the insert out with out breaking.

dave

 

This does bring up the inevitable question on how he will keep the emblems in the fender, without losing them, since there are no retainers on the back of them anymore. Instead they will no doubt drop down to the bottom of the fender.

 

Not explaining very well. Emblem on my 65, the plastic insert sets inside a groove and secured by metal extensions on sides and ends. Need to bend these 'dog eared' extentions to install or remove the plastic insert. They are part of the metal emblem, I found they are brittle and subject to break off, simular to pot metal, not vary malleable. Broke couple and had to use plastic compound to secure plastic insert to the emblem. Lesson learned and successful with the other emblem.

The back of the emblem has 3 cone shaped pegs, 1 on each end and 1 top center. There are tubular nuts inserted into holes in the fender and the emblem is pressed into these corresponding tubular retainers/nuts. To remove, need to apply pressure at the secure points using a ridged, narrow type tool. A screw driver, or something simular, works but need to use caution. Removed a number of the fender emblems and have not brocken any mounting pegs. Start in small increments working around the emblem but do need to use caution. If not clear, may want to go to an online Ford parts supplier and look at picture. No reliable hardware or auto parts suppliers in my area so purchased hard to come by hardware; fender bolts, 'J' and 'U' clips, tubular nuts, etc., from Restoration Specialty. www.restorationspecialties.com/ Suggest checking with stores in local area probably find them cheaper. Likely another member can sum up in a word or two.

dave

 

I use a plastic body filler squeegee under my prying tool to get the side emblems off. Should not be hard to remove and keep the pegs intact.
As for the inserts, I've found it fairly futile to try to re-use those comical tabs on the backside. I have successfully used JB Weld, used conservatively at a few points around the insert's outer edge, to hold them in place. Try to keep the JBW off the insert as they are a bit transparent and you may be able to see a dark area when the sun shines on them.

 

TABS, that's the word I was looking for. Also, the middle 'peg' is located at the lower center of emblem, not the top. Used product 3M puts out called "Plastic and Emblem Adhesive" clear type. Regardless, which ever product, as ddavidv noted, use sparingly on the outter edge. Can't recall if applied on edges of insert, or dabbed on the emblem then inserted the plastic. May want to test before hand to determine best method to weight down the insert while it drys, don't want to be rushing around at the last minute. I avoided any cloth, or paper products, and did not want anything that would come in contact along edges where glue was applied, like the old insert for example. Don't want to introduce any undo pressure, but if it is a 65 you want to be carefull because the emblem is no longer reproduced, they offer the 66 as a substitute. If want to keep original then have to rechome.

dave