I am looking at installing a t/t column in my 72. I know 69 - 76 should fit. What should I look for? Run out on the shaft? Bearings? If the car was in in the front what should I check for? Can you tell what year the column is?
I have heard and tried looking for a write up on installing 77 or later in my car. What are the differences?
I just found Jim Shea's papers and have not had a chance to read them.

 

I did like a '79 column into my '72, about 15 years ago....so I forget many details...but the OEM column gave up some parts, that much I remember, it was a fixed wheel, not TT///...the wheel will be about 2" forward from the stock wheel for a '72....the dimmer is on the column, so you can ditch that silly floor switch, and the mount it's on too, giving more foot room....

as I remember, that's about all there is to it....

 

I think that you are saying that the car was hit in the front. One possible indication as to the column being in good condition would be the length of steering shaft sticking out of the steering column into the engine compartment. If the shaft has been compressed into the lower end of the steering column jacket, it could indicate some damage to the column.

Shaft Extending out from Column Lower Brg

1969 through 1976 4.70 inches to brg retainer face
1977 and 1978 4.90 inches to brg retainer face
1979 through 1982 5.00 inches to brg retainer face

Also, there are two aluminum capsules attached to the main bracket where the two vertical bolts hold the column up into the dash structure. Those capsules should be seated all the way in the slots of the bracket. There should not be any gap between the forward edge (toward the engine) of the capsule and the bracket or the capsules should not be loose in their slots of the bracket.

Dimensions to the passenger side capsule (looking straight down at the steering column with the ignition switch on top) are provided on this drawing. The dimensions from the capsule bracket to the end of the steering column jacket is the most critical. A shortened dimension would indicate that the jacket itself had collapsed and cannot be corrected.

If the capsule to jacket dimension is correct and only the steering shaft dimension was shortened, the steering shaft can be pulled back out to its original length and the column can be safely used.
Jim