I've heard the later columns are lighter weight. Anyone have any numbers to document the difference? If so, what year was the weight reduction implemented?

Thanks,
Mike

 

77 and later column is about 2" shorter than a early C3 but, biggest difference could be going from cast iron mounting bracket to stamped steel one under the dash.

 

I don't have any actual numbers but I am aware of the following:
The original 1968 C3 steering column had a very large, welded mounting bracket that required three aluminum capsules to attach the strg column up into the dash. Because the "mesh" strg column jacket was designed to collapse on itself, the steering column was very "whimpy" in bending and the steering wheel would bounce in your hands without the large capsule bracket to stabilize it.

The second year of the C3 (1969) saw the introduction of the locking steering column. The strg column was completely redesigned and had a new "ball" strg column jacket that not only absorbed energy but was considerably stiffer in bending.

This allowed the welded mounting bracket to become much smaller and only needed two aluminum mounting capsules. (Typical two capsule bracket shown - not Corvette.)

The 1969 and later steering columns had the ignition lock cylinder, ignition switch, column locking plate, etc that might have made the 1969+ column heavier than the original C3 design 1968 column.

The shift tube was eliminated from the C3 strg column in 1977. The lock housings were redesigned from zinc die castings to plastic in 1978.

So the 1977 C3 columns were most likely lighter weight than the 1969-76 columns. The 1978 thru 1982 columns were lighter weight than the 1977. There was a lot more content in the 1969 thru 1982 columns so I just don't know if they were heavier or lighter than the original 1968 C3.
Jim