Go for the tilt!! I should have changed my column when I did everything!
Life without Tilt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Life without Tilt
I can't justify the 500-800 bucks to replace my trashed '76 Tilt/Tele column. I've looked at ebay "Hot Rod Columns", but I have my reservations on the quality. Today I noticed a slew of standard (no tilt/tele) Corvette columns for around 100 bucks.
So here's my question. What will I really be giving up by forfeiting my tilt/tele? I'm 6'2", and have heard comments on us taller folks needing this feature to help facilitate ingress/egress. I would most likely use a smaller diameter steering wheel than stock, and that would help a little.
So here's my question. What will I really be giving up by forfeiting my tilt/tele? I'm 6'2", and have heard comments on us taller folks needing this feature to help facilitate ingress/egress. I would most likely use a smaller diameter steering wheel than stock, and that would help a little.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
I'm 6'1'' and I would not enjoy the car as much if I had to fight the steering wheel each time I got in and out.
Can you rebuild your old column, or maybe have someone rebuild it for you?
Riggs
Can you rebuild your old column, or maybe have someone rebuild it for you?
Riggs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Yes and yes. But I have a feeling that the parts alone would add up to hundreds of dollars. At the very least I'm looking an upper and lower cover, I have no keys to it, and who knows what else it'll need.
So when I can get a complete non-adjustable column for half of the cost of repair parts, it starts to look very tempting. I'll keep the stock column and maybe make it a future project.
I feel a little dumb asking how neccessary tilt is to driving, but I'm going through a restoration without ever had driven my car! I joke around that I hope that after all this time and money spent on this car I'll be able to fit in it when I'm done.
So when I can get a complete non-adjustable column for half of the cost of repair parts, it starts to look very tempting. I'll keep the stock column and maybe make it a future project.
I feel a little dumb asking how neccessary tilt is to driving, but I'm going through a restoration without ever had driven my car! I joke around that I hope that after all this time and money spent on this car I'll be able to fit in it when I'm done.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: Titusville FL
I am 5ft 10 (175 lbs) and life without tilt in my 72 is "acceptable". I can definitely see the advantage to having it, and maybe some day I will add it whenever I redo my interior years from now.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
The car may have sat with the t-tops out. But the "rust" on the firewall is actually the factory sealer, and the steering wheel is just dirty/mildewed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 836
From: WI
Well, in about a month you could drive up to Bloomington Gold (Chicago) and pick from between dozens of used columns guys are selling there, in addition to other parts you may have on your list. I have to admit, I don't know what they're going for, but I doubt $500.
#2, Rebuild - You could just put in a few new parts and you're good to go. NAPARTS.COM has lots of GM steering column parts, and these guys have the bowls you need: http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-parts.php. I mean, it's not rocket surgery. You can break down a column pretty quickly and if you have the parts painted before you take it apart, you should be able to get it together pretty quick.
#4 Replace w/Something else - There are guys that have tons of Trans Am part, or Cadillac steering columns that used telescoping columns. They'd be a lot cheaper. But I have no idea what will/won't fit. Maybe others do.
#5 Buy the reconditioned one - If you want to get going right away, just break down and buy the new one. You'll put at least $100 if not close to $200 in parts in your column plus a couple days' work
#2, Rebuild - You could just put in a few new parts and you're good to go. NAPARTS.COM has lots of GM steering column parts, and these guys have the bowls you need: http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-parts.php. I mean, it's not rocket surgery. You can break down a column pretty quickly and if you have the parts painted before you take it apart, you should be able to get it together pretty quick.
#4 Replace w/Something else - There are guys that have tons of Trans Am part, or Cadillac steering columns that used telescoping columns. They'd be a lot cheaper. But I have no idea what will/won't fit. Maybe others do.
#5 Buy the reconditioned one - If you want to get going right away, just break down and buy the new one. You'll put at least $100 if not close to $200 in parts in your column plus a couple days' work
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Well, in about a month you could drive up to Bloomington Gold (Chicago) and pick from between dozens of used columns guys are selling there, in addition to other parts you may have on your list. I have to admit, I don't know what they're going for, but I doubt $500.
#2, Rebuild - You could just put in a few new parts and you're good to go. NAPARTS.COM has lots of GM steering column parts, and these guys have the bowls you need: http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-parts.php. I mean, it's not rocket surgery. You can break down a column pretty quickly and if you have the parts painted before you take it apart, you should be able to get it together pretty quick.
#4 Replace w/Something else - There are guys that have tons of Trans Am part, or Cadillac steering columns that used telescoping columns. They'd be a lot cheaper. But I have no idea what will/won't fit. Maybe others do.
#5 Buy the reconditioned one - If you want to get going right away, just break down and buy the new one. You'll put at least $100 if not close to $200 in parts in your column plus a couple days' work
#2, Rebuild - You could just put in a few new parts and you're good to go. NAPARTS.COM has lots of GM steering column parts, and these guys have the bowls you need: http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-parts.php. I mean, it's not rocket surgery. You can break down a column pretty quickly and if you have the parts painted before you take it apart, you should be able to get it together pretty quick.
#4 Replace w/Something else - There are guys that have tons of Trans Am part, or Cadillac steering columns that used telescoping columns. They'd be a lot cheaper. But I have no idea what will/won't fit. Maybe others do.
#5 Buy the reconditioned one - If you want to get going right away, just break down and buy the new one. You'll put at least $100 if not close to $200 in parts in your column plus a couple days' work
Some good advice here.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Get a solid column and use that for now. You are in a similar situation to mine where the car still needs much; your resources can be better spent on carpet, seat covers, etc. Store the tilt column for now and rebuild it after the car's on the road if you wish the extra space it affords. You will be able to fully recoup the cost of the temporary column when you are finished with it.
Last edited by markids77; May 25, 2012 at 09:14 AM. Reason: spelling
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Doesn't look like the car is going anywhere soon, why the push for a column now? Maybe the rebuild route is the right one. You get what you want (the first time) and you can buy the parts as funding allows. Plus, you'll learn that much more about your car and gain a new skill!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Heres a 76 parts car in Tennessee. Not sure how far from you, but maybe ya get lucky.
http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/3022355059.html
http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/3022355059.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Thanks for all the encouragement. I guess after stripping the car, painting the frame, rebuilding the diff, the suspension, all new brakes, new floor pans, I just want something easy! And the pictures at the top are from 2008.
This is more up to date.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...resto-mod.html
And yes, I've read some of Jim Shea's papers. Guess I'm rebuilding.
This is more up to date.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...resto-mod.html
And yes, I've read some of Jim Shea's papers. Guess I'm rebuilding.
Last edited by Learning_Curve; May 25, 2012 at 11:02 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Yeah,that's alittle differnt than the first pics!!! Well, since you've put all that time, effort and money into it so far, might as well cheese out on the column...
Let us know how the rebuild goes!!
Let us know how the rebuild goes!!
