My project '69 didn't come with a interlock cable that connects the steering to the transmission. I installed one and come to find out the lever on the steering column is somewhat tough to move up and down. Is there a simple adjustment to get that lever more loose or do I have to have the steering column rebuilt? Took a look at Jim's papers and didn't find any specific info on this lever.

In order for the car to operate properly I have to disconnect the cable from the steering column.

 

It is most likely corrosion around the lower bearing and the shift tube where it rotates in the lower bearing adapter.

You didn't mention if you had a Tilt & Telescoping Strg column or a standard (non-adjustable) type.

I would guess that you have a standard strg column only because in 1969 the T&T columns were somewhat rare.

The steering column in the above picture is a standard column because there is a spring between the plastic bearing adapter and the shift tube. On the standard column the shift tube is a slip fit where it engages the shift bowl on the upper end in the column head.

To clean up the lower end of the steering column you are going to have to remove the column from the car. Then remove the lower bearing retaining clip, the lower bearing, plastic adapter, and spring. Unless your steering column has led an easy, charmed life you will probably find lots of corrosion and the spring may be nearly corroded and gone. All of these parts are available from most Corvette suppliers.

Once the steering column is out of the car and you have removed the lower end parts as shown, I think that you can rotate the ignition key to RUN. Then rotate the lower lever until the lever aligns with the opening in the steering column jacket. With the standard column I believe that you should be able to pull the shift tube out of the steering column jacket. This will provide clearance to polish up the lower end of the shift tube where it rotates in the plastic bearing adapter. (With a T&T column the shift tube is a press fit up in the column head and cannot be removed at this point of disassembly.)

The following are several papers and pics on removing the standard steering column, as well as disassembly & repair.

Three Std Strg Column disassembly & repair papers
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=959

Two Std Column Disassmbly & Repair Pics
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=964

Blowup Pic
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=948

Here are the T&T disassembly & repair papers and pics.

Three T&T Strg Column Disassembly & Repair Papers
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1004

Three T&T Strg Column Disassembly & Repair Pics
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009

1969-76 Blowup Pic
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=997

Jim

 

All of the steering column lower end parts are available at this website address:
http://www.zip-corvette.com/GroupDetails/SubGroupResults.aspx?gid={fa4c1ebb-e8fb-45de-b613-1d53b469dfa3}&SearchType=_GROUP_SEARCH&G roupName=Steering+Column+Components&
And also from various other Corvette suppliers.
Jim

 

I found a lower steering column rebuild kit. It includes the following: LOWER BEARING, SPRING, WASHER, PLASTIC BEARING ADAPTER, BEARING SHIELD & SHIELD CLIP RETAINER

Are these all the parts I need to get that lever working freely?

 

looks like mu kit. I do think the plastic spring seat you see in the 3rd (yellowish plastic) picture has to be reused so be carefull
Nick