76 Tilt-Tele steering column
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 2
From: Pennsdale Pennsylvania
76 Tilt-Tele steering column
Will a 1976 corvette tilt-tele steering column work fit in a 1971, and if so can I use my 71 steering wheel. I have a chance to get the 76 column but want to make sure it will work in a 71. Thanks
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 505
Likes: 8
From: Houston Tx.
Getting the 76 column into a 71 should not be too much of a problem. I put a 74 column in my 76 without much effort. I don't know if the firewall plate on the column will be a perfect fit. Verify the rag joint is a good fit, too.
Getting your 71 wheel on a 76 column is a big issue. I converted my 76 column to accept the early C3 wheel and it required quite a few changes. There is a guy on the forum, Jim Shea, who has written excellent articles on the subject. Do a search for them.
Getting your 71 wheel on a 76 column is a big issue. I converted my 76 column to accept the early C3 wheel and it required quite a few changes. There is a guy on the forum, Jim Shea, who has written excellent articles on the subject. Do a search for them.
Last edited by 76vette1; Feb 29, 2016 at 09:12 PM. Reason: More info.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 2
From: Pennsdale Pennsylvania
Getting the 76 column into a 71 should not be too much of a problem. I put a 74 column in my 76 without much effort. I don't know if the firewall plate on the column will be a perfect fit. Verify the rag joint is a good fit, too.
Getting your 71 wheel on a 76 column is a big issue. I converted my 76 column to accept the early C3 wheel and it required quite a few changes. There is a guy on the forum, Jim Shea, who has written excellent articles on the subject. Do a search for them.
Getting your 71 wheel on a 76 column is a big issue. I converted my 76 column to accept the early C3 wheel and it required quite a few changes. There is a guy on the forum, Jim Shea, who has written excellent articles on the subject. Do a search for them.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 342
Likes: 64
From: Ocala, FL
Not sure if some of the parts required to make a 76 steering column accept pre- or post-76 steering wheels are the same as those on your 1971 column. And frankly, unless someone is giving you the 76 steering column, you're better off buying a 78 or later model unit, as they are about 2 inches shorter, which makes steering wheel reach much better/comfortable than that of a 76.
Also, is your 71 steering column a T&T unit? If it's not, then I don't think you can use those parts.
I just swapped the steering wheel on my 76 tonight, and it was an interesting project. It works and looks fine, and now I can also use a wide variety of steering wheels if so desired, but there are some compromises that only become apparent once you make the swap.
Good luck with your project!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 2
From: Pennsdale Pennsylvania
Yes to the first question, and no to the second one. Or rather not without a whole bunch of changes.
Not sure if some of the parts required to make a 76 steering column accept pre- or post-76 steering wheels are the same as those on your 1971 column. And frankly, unless someone is giving you the 76 steering column, you're better off buying a 78 or later model unit, as they are about 2 inches shorter, which makes steering wheel reach much better/comfortable than that of a 76.
Also, is your 71 steering column a T&T unit? If it's not, then I don't think you can use those parts.
I just swapped the steering wheel on my 76 tonight, and it was an interesting project. It works and looks fine, and now I can also use a wide variety of steering wheels if so desired, but there are some compromises that only become apparent once you make the swap.
Good luck with your project!
Not sure if some of the parts required to make a 76 steering column accept pre- or post-76 steering wheels are the same as those on your 1971 column. And frankly, unless someone is giving you the 76 steering column, you're better off buying a 78 or later model unit, as they are about 2 inches shorter, which makes steering wheel reach much better/comfortable than that of a 76.
Also, is your 71 steering column a T&T unit? If it's not, then I don't think you can use those parts.
I just swapped the steering wheel on my 76 tonight, and it was an interesting project. It works and looks fine, and now I can also use a wide variety of steering wheels if so desired, but there are some compromises that only become apparent once you make the swap.
Good luck with your project!
