76' Tilt-Tele column conversion to 69-72
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
76' Tilt-Tele column conversion to 69-72
I thought I would document my 76' Tilt-Tele column conversion to 69-72 (probably 73-75 also) for those of you who might be interested. A while back I was able to pick up a 76 parts car for a little over the going price of the 69-72 Tilt-Tele columns being sold today. The column was one of the primary salvage parts I was looking for, and one of the main reasons I bought the car. Anyway, I finally located the necessary parts for the conversion thanks to a CF member who gave me a very fair price. I can't say that about some of the dealers out there, they were asking as much as $200 for just the hub, bellhousing and lockring 
. I tactfully told them what they could do with them! They said ok 
The parts that are different and what you will need are the hub, lockring, bell housing, spacer, horn button, flasher **** and three 1.5" screws to hold the horn contact/spacer. The pic below shows the differences. If you can locate the parts, the conversion is simple and anyone can do it. 
The parts in the middle of the pic are common to both. I have the 69-72 hub and flasher **** already mounted on the column.
Oh, the 70 steering wheel is still on the car!
Bullshark
. I tactfully told them what they could do with them! They said ok The parts that are different and what you will need are the hub, lockring, bell housing, spacer, horn button, flasher **** and three 1.5" screws to hold the horn contact/spacer. The pic below shows the differences. If you can locate the parts, the conversion is simple and anyone can do it. The parts in the middle of the pic are common to both. I have the 69-72 hub and flasher **** already mounted on the column.Oh, the 70 steering wheel is still on the car!
Bullshark
Last edited by Bullshark; Aug 24, 2005 at 09:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Let me get this straight, you are converting your old, non-tilt/tele column to tilt/tele? Or, are you removing your old non-tilt/tele column and replacing it with the tilt/tele out of your parts car? This is a conversion I want to do someday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
One photograph is worth a thousand words.
The steering column (the top portion is just visable in the lower right) was manufactured by Saginaw Steering Gear Division. The 1969 through 1976 steering columns are all nearly identical and are interchangeable.
Chevrolet Divison used the Saginaw steering columns and also released all of the other parts that you see on the floor. If you have the one year only, 1976 steering wheel, you need the special horn and telescoping parts that go with it. There is a can-like extension already bolted on the underside of the 1976 steering wheel shown.
If you have an earlier steering wheel, then you need the special parts shown in the lower view, (lower horn, telescoping parts, and the extension.) The steering column always remains the same.
Note that the aluminum colored hub that is shown assembled on the column upper steering shaft is also only required with the 1969-75 parts. (A similar hub part is integral to the 1976 steering wheel.)
BTW, Bullshark, would you mind if I included your picture in one of my papers on steering column swaps?
Jim Shea
The steering column (the top portion is just visable in the lower right) was manufactured by Saginaw Steering Gear Division. The 1969 through 1976 steering columns are all nearly identical and are interchangeable.
Chevrolet Divison used the Saginaw steering columns and also released all of the other parts that you see on the floor. If you have the one year only, 1976 steering wheel, you need the special horn and telescoping parts that go with it. There is a can-like extension already bolted on the underside of the 1976 steering wheel shown.
If you have an earlier steering wheel, then you need the special parts shown in the lower view, (lower horn, telescoping parts, and the extension.) The steering column always remains the same.
Note that the aluminum colored hub that is shown assembled on the column upper steering shaft is also only required with the 1969-75 parts. (A similar hub part is integral to the 1976 steering wheel.)
BTW, Bullshark, would you mind if I included your picture in one of my papers on steering column swaps?
Jim Shea
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by theandies
Let me get this straight, you are converting your old, non-tilt/tele column to tilt/tele? Or, are you removing your old non-tilt/tele column and replacing it with the tilt/tele out of your parts car? This is a conversion I want to do someday.
This should help Jim, Yes, feel free to use the pic as you want. As you probably know, I only show one of the 1.5" screws needed. Still need to stop by the HW store.
Bullshark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
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From: Des Allemands LA
Another option, although it will probably cost a few more dollars and a little more time, is to replace the entire column with a '79-'82 column. They are two inches shorter and also have wiper and dimmer controls on the coulumn. Pinky built one for me awhile back and it was a straight forward swap. I did mine while putting a new harness, gauges and carpet in so some of the stuff was already out of the way. Like said just another option, but someone may benefit from it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: methuen ma
great plan..... I have converted my interior from gray to Black the only thing I haven't changed yet is the steering wheel, I don't mind the Vega style but its grey and if any one out there has a black one for sale I'd be interested
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
If you are considering installing a 1977 through 1982 T&T column in your 1969 through 1976 Vette, this paper may be of value.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/77+Col...3Rev01FE05.doc
If you have any comments or suggestions: that would make the paper clearer; or more accurate; or you can correct any errors; I would be happy to hear them. I always keep revising my papers to make them more useable and user friendly.
JIML82@aol.com
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/77+Col...3Rev01FE05.doc
If you have any comments or suggestions: that would make the paper clearer; or more accurate; or you can correct any errors; I would be happy to hear them. I always keep revising my papers to make them more useable and user friendly.
JIML82@aol.com
