Tilt stearing column. NEED HELP FAST!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
Tilt stearing column. NEED HELP FAST!
Ok so about a year or 2 ago I bought I tele tilt stearing column from someone on this forum to install in my 70 Vette. Was told they were all the same from 68 thru 82. The column was in rough shape so I rebuilt it and painted it and have about 750 bucks into it.
All good though, anyway I went to install it this week and it just does not fit. Guy at ZIP products told me it sounds like its from a 68 vette and they are different from the other C3's. Ok so Im sure if its unique to that year I can probably find a buyer for it but now I need another one as I dont want to re-install the old one becasue its not a fun job to repeat. I see a few on ebay but need some good information as far as what years WILL fit my 70 vett with manual trans, no power anything, LT1 car. HELP PLEASE
All good though, anyway I went to install it this week and it just does not fit. Guy at ZIP products told me it sounds like its from a 68 vette and they are different from the other C3's. Ok so Im sure if its unique to that year I can probably find a buyer for it but now I need another one as I dont want to re-install the old one becasue its not a fun job to repeat. I see a few on ebay but need some good information as far as what years WILL fit my 70 vett with manual trans, no power anything, LT1 car. HELP PLEASE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The mounting of a 1968 Corvette telescoping steering column is much different than the 1969-76 models. Plus the 69-76 columns have the ignition lock and ignition switch on the column. In 1968 the ignition switch was built into the dash.
If you purchase a 1969-75 T&T column you should make sure that it comes with all of the telescope lock, telescope can (extension), and horn parts. Your steering wheel will swap directly to the T&T column.
The actual 1969 through 1976 T&T steering columns are very much the same. However in 1976 the steering wheel, telescoping lock, telescope can (extension), and horn parts are different for that one year. If you purchase a 1976 column you will have to purchase all of the 1969-75 attaching parts that go with your steering wheel (all of them are available but they are quite expensive to purchase individually). This paper gives a detailed list of the parts that you would require with a 1976 T&T.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev13jl2008.pdf
The good news: Your 1968 Corvette telescoping steering column should be a lot more valuable than any 1969-76 Corvette T&T. You ought to be able to sell it and purchase a 69-76 in very good condition.
Jim
If you purchase a 1969-75 T&T column you should make sure that it comes with all of the telescope lock, telescope can (extension), and horn parts. Your steering wheel will swap directly to the T&T column.
The actual 1969 through 1976 T&T steering columns are very much the same. However in 1976 the steering wheel, telescoping lock, telescope can (extension), and horn parts are different for that one year. If you purchase a 1976 column you will have to purchase all of the 1969-75 attaching parts that go with your steering wheel (all of them are available but they are quite expensive to purchase individually). This paper gives a detailed list of the parts that you would require with a 1976 T&T.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev13jl2008.pdf
The good news: Your 1968 Corvette telescoping steering column should be a lot more valuable than any 1969-76 Corvette T&T. You ought to be able to sell it and purchase a 69-76 in very good condition.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your rebuilt steering column does not have an ignition key switch on it, it is a 1968 column. If it does and it won't fit your car, it is from late 70's vehicle. You will get your money back if you have a completely rebuilt '68 column; you won't if it is a late 70's column. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
A later 70's column will fit if the housing is trimmed back ~2.25 inches. I did that to a 79 column and it fits fine. I also removed the wires from the column's comb connector and put them into the connector from the original column.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
If you have a later 1977-82 T&T steering column you can identify it by the large rectangular bulge on the left side of the head for the headight dimmer mechanism that is tied into the turn signal lever. If you do have a later Corvette column here is a paper on modifying it to fit your early 70 C3.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3rev11au09.doc
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3rev11au09.doc
Jim
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