When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I bought a tilt/tele column and cleaned it up and painted it. Replaced the wiring and turn signal guts. Put it back together and replaced the key cylinder with a new one. I had it all back together and noticed the key would not come out and the key was operating in reverse. In other words the spring tension to activate the starter is towards the rear when you turn it instead to towards the front like it should. The key also will not come out. I took it back apart but can’t figure out what I did wrong. Any help out there?
Did you previously have a standard column? If so you need a tilt/tele ignition switch as the standard and tilt switches work in the opposite direction.
Where did you source your tilt/tele column from? Im a new owner of a 1977 C3 with a regular column, and I really want a tilt column.
77 is a one year only column. Keep that in mind. A 78-82 column can be converted to have the 77 wiper switch and be made to fit. But ya gotta know what your doing.
Dinkster, I have a freshly rebuilt 78-82 column for sale for $1500.00. I built one to use in my 69 since the 78-82 are shorter and work better for us taller drivers. I had the parts to build another column so went ahead and did it. If you are interested, send me a return PM and I will send some pictures. As posted, the 77 columns are one year only. They are the only column with the wiper switch on the column. You see them pop up on Ebay, but usually very expensive. Before you buy one, you need to make sure the turn signal pivot is in good shape as they are not reproduced anymore and are super expensive and hard to find. I can explain the mod required for a 78-82 to fit your car. Below is my listing for the modified column.
Steering column issues
