1976 Steering column question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,340
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From: West Bloomfield, Michigan Michigan
1976 Steering column question
Can a 1976 column be converted to accept a 1977-1982 steering wheel by changing the upper components from a 1977-1982 column?
Thanks,
Chuck
Thanks,
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Yes, you can. In fact, I made the swap myself to my 1976 with T&T when the new leather covered steering wheels came out in 1977.
It just so happens that I have written a paper describing all of the necessary parts that are required. Here is the link.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&T77-...To76Column.doc
The one thing that does happen, but it is no big deal, is that the 1977-1982 columns had less telescoping travel than the earlier 1969-76 steering columns (2.1 inches versus 1.3). Therefore, when you use a 1977-82 extension (the stamped can that covers the hub) on an older steering column, the new extension is a bit too short.
If you telescope your steering column so that the wheel is all the way back toward the driver you will actually end up with a small gap where the later extension is not long enough to completely cover the gap between the steering wheel hub and the steering column. Since most people don't drive with the steering wheel buried in their belly, that small gap is no biggie.
Good luck,
Jim
It just so happens that I have written a paper describing all of the necessary parts that are required. Here is the link.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&T77-...To76Column.doc
The one thing that does happen, but it is no big deal, is that the 1977-1982 columns had less telescoping travel than the earlier 1969-76 steering columns (2.1 inches versus 1.3). Therefore, when you use a 1977-82 extension (the stamped can that covers the hub) on an older steering column, the new extension is a bit too short.
If you telescope your steering column so that the wheel is all the way back toward the driver you will actually end up with a small gap where the later extension is not long enough to completely cover the gap between the steering wheel hub and the steering column. Since most people don't drive with the steering wheel buried in their belly, that small gap is no biggie.
Good luck,
Jim
