I have what I assumed to be a '69 steering column and wheel in my '68. In trying to figure out the horn, though, I'm not so sure now. I have the AIM, a Haynes manual, and have downloaded and printed off the instructional pages I could find (cannot, for the life of me, remember the guy's name...). But what i have doesn't match anything I can find. I'm hoping somebody will recognize what I have and can tell me what I'm missing.
Here's the column with the hub removed. There is a bearing with this spring on it.

Then, over that, I had a turn signal cancelling cam. This is the first bit of confusion. Because I ordered a new one from Paragon and didn't get the same thing as I had. And I don't see how either one would work with the horn.

So there was a little circlip in a notch holding the white piece (in the above picture) on. Then the hub, then the top piece in the below pic was bolted to the hub under the steering wheel.


From the diagrams I've seen, I should have these parts:

But I don't have anything that looks like #1 and #2 and my #4 part looks different. Am I just missing #1 and 2? If so, I can't find a part number anywhere. And is my #4 part wrong, too?

When I got it, there was nothing connected, no horn button, nothing that would move. I got a horn button and it snaps into the center piece, but still wouldn't move (and wouldn't snap on with the steering wheel attached). My question is about the top piece in the picture (#4 in the diagram, I think?), since none of the diagrams show a part that looks like it with the metal leg sticking out the back. This leg doesn't seem to contact anything. Also, the little horn contact in the green cancelling cam doesn't touch anything. There are also (possibly) some other plates or things that didn't come with the car. I've found several diagrams and they conflict. Also, I suspect that some of the parts shown may be things that are already attached (maybe the mystery cover in a couple of the drawings is the black plastic piece that came attached to the canceling cam from Paragon, for instance). Obviously, I'm just frustrated that I have all these parts and all these diagrams and seem to get farther from the right answer the deeper I dig. Any wisdom would be much appreciated!

 

There is a lot of good information on these pages from Jim Shea that are found on the internet. Hope this doesn't add to your confusion but this guy is a leading expert. http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/

 

Jim Shea! That's the name I couldn't think of. I've read all that stuff many times. My problem is that what I have doesn't match anything I can find in there. The closest diagram I've found is from him. It's the one under the parts in the pictures. But it shows a different style lock plate (without the leg) and a couple other parts that don't look like what I have. If there were part numbers, I'd be tempted to just order everything and be done with it. But all you get is a tiny drawing with parts called things like "plate" or "spring" which doesn't help.

 

69 and up columns have the ignition switch in them. If you have a 69 and later column, you won't find anything about it in the 68 AIM. I don't see the ignition switch in the dash in your first pic. Have you also swapped dash pads?

 

Yes, I have a non-68 interior and yes, I'm using the '69 AIM. Should've made that clearer. Sorry.

 

I updated the original post with a diagram that will maybe explain what I'm saying. The parts I have pictured are all I have. Is it a different style or did somebody just stick random parts in? After 3 years of work, I only had four things to do last weekend so I could drive it. One of them was "hook up the horn..." Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Look at this picture. My first arrow is pointing to a spring loaded rod which is part of a steering lock mechanism. I am not sure they had that in 1969. But your canceling cam would go on the column, then the locking plate, and it is held in place by that small wire clip that you have in another picture. We'll tak it this far for now. Let me know if this looks like it applies to your steering column.

 

A ha! That is problem one. I don't have the lock plate. I do have the spring-loaded rod that pops out when the key is off.
Guess I need to hunt a lock plate for starters. It doesn't look like it's available from the major vendors. What year is your column? Thanks so much for the really useful picture.

 

I found a used lock plate and ordered it. A few of the diagrams show a plate or cover on top of this (no better description or part number given that I can find). It's part #2 in the above diagram. I don't believe I have that and haven't had luck finding a picture. What is that part?

 

I have been trying to figure out what that part is also, Seems like I am remembering that it is made of plastic though, which makes me wonder if it's just a cover, like maybe a dust cover. Can't be sure though, and I have not been able to find it at any of the online Corvette parts vendors. Will keep thinkin' on it.....

 

I've looked for more information on this and not had any luck. If I had a better description (besides, "some cover thing that goes in the steering column...") or a part number, I'd have better chances. If it's just a dust cover or something, I'm not going to worry about it at the moment. All that stands between me and driving the car is putting the steering wheel on, so I'm really itching to finish it up! I've gotten good enough at pulling the wheel off that I can do it quickly, so as long as it doesn't hinder usability, I'll just wait on it.

 

So where are you in your installation, have you receive the lock plate?

 

Sorry for the slow reply. Ended up having to travel for work (which means the car is still sitting, grrr...). Back now, though. Here's the plate I got. The only one I could find at all was on ebay and was supposed to be for a '69-73. It doesn't look like the one in your picture. The hole in the middle isn't even round... Is this the one I need?

 

You will need one with a round center, I believe what you have is for a tilt/tele. I remember having one with a round center on my '72 standard column, held in place by that round wire looking keeper that you have.

Keen parts has this one for a 69. I would call Keen to make sure that this is for a 69 before shelling out for it, or at least make sure you can return it if it does not work for your column. Parts seem very difficult to find for a 69. Another source for parts is SoCalVettes for some new and used parts. I have done business with them.

http://keenparts.com/corvette-parts-...partnum=350169

 

Now you're talking. That's exactly what I need. I'd never heard of Keen, but I just contacted them (left a message). I know I at least want this plate (even though it's $43 instead of the $7 one on ebay...). After some digging, you're right and the plate I bought is for T&T. Keen didn't list the mystery "cover" in the diagrams, but seem to have enough depth to help me find what I need. Thanks for the lead. This board is amazing.

 

Great! Now when it comes time for the horn contact, note that there are 2 different ones, the difference is the length that L shaped leg coming off of them. I believe the one for your standard column has the shorter leg but not certain. If you find you need one, holler cause I have one you can have.

 

The leg is a hair under 1 3/8" on mine. What length do I need?

 

I believe your's is the correct one.

ON SECOND THOUGHT, I AM NOT SURE THIS IS THE CORRECT ONE, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT TIL ASSEMBLY IS STARTED. SORRY.

 

I got the lock plate in (finally) and put back together. Good call on Keen, by the way. They had exactly what I needed and made a few phone calls to make sure it would work. It turns out the horn contact is wrong. It's too short. I need about another 1/4" of length on the leg. Beyond that, though, how does the horn work? There is no spring, so the the button just snaps on, then doesn't move. Here is everything I have. What am I still missing? Thanks for all the patience and help.

 

Did you get the horn contact with the 1/4" longer leg then? The extra 1/4" inch on that leg should allow it to contact a spring loaded button down in the assembly. It should always contact that and push/hold it down. The horn button does not push down very much at all, but should push down, causing the horn to blow. There used to be a short clip somewhere that illustrates what happens, I will look for it or try and make an illustration for you. If your horn button is not moving at all, have you tried to push on the edge of the horn contact itself to get the horn to blow?

Ok, I found a picture that will help. When you push on the dark piece/edge of the horn contact, it goes down and contacts the shiney flat piece, causing a short, which causes the horn to blow. You can see by how small that gap is that the horn button does not move very much at all to cause this contact to be made.