77 steering column issues?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
77 steering column issues?
looking at a 77 in an impound lot i can probably get cheap. a neighbor-corvette guy says they have tilt columns that fall apart. what kind of problem is it to put right? thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I don't know about "falling apart", but I can tell you that the '77 column is in some ways a one-year only piece. The blinker stalk high - low beams / wipers / washer / cruise control (if equipped) is '77 only. Previous years, the wiper switch was in the center of the dash, 78 and later had it on the left dash near the head light switch.
This makes the '77 column harder to find, and possibly more expensive to repair.
Adam
This makes the '77 column harder to find, and possibly more expensive to repair.
Adam
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
so the tilt-tele setup is essentially the same? just has more switches in the column? the column is 77 only. can the switches be found in any other model column? or how doable is relocating wiper switch to either the 76 or 78 location, putting the dimmer switch back on floor and using different column?
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 4, 2015 at 06:23 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
There are times Mike, when a part is beyond repair. We're facing that with the column in our '77. Just not worth it to repair all of the shoddy repairs that were made over the years to keep it on the road.
Since it's the wipers that don't work, and we live in Phoenix, it's not been a problem (yet), but we will need to figure out a method of wiring up the wipers at some point.
Derek - it's not like every function is controlled by one switch, so if something does need repair, you can just repair that portion it, and they do sell the blinker stalks at the reproduction places.
Since it's the wipers that don't work, and we live in Phoenix, it's not been a problem (yet), but we will need to figure out a method of wiring up the wipers at some point.
Derek - it's not like every function is controlled by one switch, so if something does need repair, you can just repair that portion it, and they do sell the blinker stalks at the reproduction places.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
ok, but is the tilt-tele function the same as the other columns? nobody is complaining about them, so i guess they are decent and/or repairable. i have no idea if there is an issue with this cars column. and my neighbor may well be a little alarmist. but he says my 75 is a better year. this impound yard bomb is dark blue-white leather and quite pretty. also 4-speed. and i think it is gonna be 2k storage fees...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I "believe" the TT portion is the same. Jim Shea would be the one for that information. Here is his site - TONS of fantastic info on it. Maybe he'll chime in on this post. He is a wealth of knowledge on this subject.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
While '77's had some of the largest production numbers, 4 speeds are fairly low production numbers that year, so that's a definite plus. (our '77 is as well - LOVE it). Out of 49,000+ made, only about 7,000+ were manual trans cars.
http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1977.aspx
Just make sure you inspect it thoroughly for the rust issues that any of the C3's are prone to.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
While '77's had some of the largest production numbers, 4 speeds are fairly low production numbers that year, so that's a definite plus. (our '77 is as well - LOVE it). Out of 49,000+ made, only about 7,000+ were manual trans cars.
http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1977.aspx
Just make sure you inspect it thoroughly for the rust issues that any of the C3's are prone to.
Last edited by AdamMeh; Sep 4, 2015 at 08:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 415
From: N J
I don't know about "falling apart", but I can tell you that the '77 column is in some ways a one-year only piece. The blinker stalk high - low beams / wipers / washer / cruise control (if equipped) is '77 only. Previous years, the wiper switch was in the center of the dash, 78 and later had it on the left dash near the head light switch.
This makes the '77 column harder to find, and possibly more expensive to repair.
Adam
This makes the '77 column harder to find, and possibly more expensive to repair.
Adam
When I get into my 77 I am extra careful my big knee dont come near that stalk and accidentally rip it off.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
True !
