I'm pulling the steering column out to replace the cast iron support with the later (and lighter) stamped steel piece (if I can find it after the last move) or a fabricated aluminum piece if I need to. Anyway, I notice that the arm on the bottom of the column (that used to hook to a cable that went to the trans reverse arm) looks like it might be a hassle to deal with getting the column to slide out through the firewall hole. Can anyone give me some advice on if it's an issue, or if I'm worrying about nothing?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mike-

Once all of the bolts, (including the two lower bolts) are removed, the column will pass through the hole, it has a provision for it.

Willcox

 

I don't recall any issue and as you can see the key hole shaped hole in the firewall should give plenty of clearance.

.

 

I'm not sure about the picture above. You need to place the lever at the 1 o'clock position. When you remove the heavy metal plate from the engine side of the dash, the hole in the dash should have a cutout to match the lever as well. The column should pull directly back into the driver compartment.

This isn't the best drawing of the column and dash. But you can see that the hole in the dash is not round but is shaped to allow the steering column with the lever to pass through.

Jim

 

Thanks guys!

 

Got the brackets swapped (about five and a half pounds lighter) and am putting the column back in at the moment. Got to thinking: This column (t&t) with wheel weighs about 26 pounds. Anyone know if the later columns are any lighter?

Thanks again,
Mike

 

I don't have actual weights but I am quite sure that a standard (non-adjustable) steering column from a 1977-79 Vette would be lighter than your 1969 T&T for several reasons.

First of all, the two columns should interchange quite easily. They are essentially the same length. But the 1977-79 column is lighter for a couple reasons:
1. Your 1969 column has a large die cast upper housing. The 1977-79 standard column head is more compact and made of plastic.
2. Your 1969 column has a shift tube and lower lever (along with a cable to connect to the reverse gear in the transmission). The 1977-79 column does not have a shift tube and does not require a cable.

A 1977 Vette standard steering column should bolt right into your 1972 Vette. 1978 and 1979 Vette standard columns (with slight modifications of the shroud that meets the instrument cluster) can also be used. Instructions for modifying the shroud are included in this paper at this site.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=894

You should be able to adapt your current steering wheel to the 1977-79 steering columns. You will need the following parts;
Hub Zip Products SC-414
Horn Contact (called a button stand/contact by Zip) SC-46
Screws Zip ZSC-346
Horn Button Zip SC-300
These parts should allow the 1977-79 non-adjustable Vette columns to accept the older steering wheels. (Don't go by what the parts catalogue says.)

These same parts may also be available from Ecklers and other major suppliers. However, have them cross reference to the Zip part numbers. They most likely won't recognize adapting to the 1977-79 Vette standard columns.
You will also need a turn signal lever for the correct year steering column that you are installing. Your 1972 T&T lever won't work.

Jim

 

Jim, thanks for the information. I greatly appreciate it. May I ask why the 80-82 columns aren't mentioned (are they all heavier t&t models, or a different design, etc)?

 

Great info there Jim!

 

The standard (non-adjustable) columns were only available from 1969 through mid-1979. T&T columns were optional. T&T columns were made standard and were the only steering columns available after mid-1979.

I would think that a 1977 through 1982 T&T column will be somewhat lighter than your 1969 T&T. However, the non-adjustable column will be even lighter since it does not have the complexity of telescoping shafts, tilt joint, tilt lock, etc. The paper (#894) listed in my previous posting discusses installing a 1977 through 1982 T&T column in an early shark.
Jim

 

Thanks, Jim. I greatly appreciate your input here.

Edit: I need to find a fellow C3 owner with a non-t&t column to see how the wheel position feels without the adjustment capability. I don't have the wheel tilted in my car but it is adjusted all the way in for more reach (I'm on the tall side). I also need to figure out the weight difference to determine the cost/benefit ratio.