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Many years ago , I purchased a 68 Corvette parts car. One of the items that came with the car was a tilt tele column. I am in the process of identifying the column with some of the parts numbers that are on three of the parts. I have the Corvette Parts Book 1953-1972 but the numbers are not listed in the book. Below are the itmes I was able to find part numbers on the item. Any help will be appreciated. I want to install in my 70 Vette.
[img alt="These are the parts.
"]https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1130/wp_20150406_20_19_36_pro_94523a712a2b7e8 a6e28440cf86c1de202e1d5ac.jpg[/img] These are the parts. Part # 7804178 Part # 7805274 Part # 7803703
Some of these parts may not have been in service, and thus may not be found parts books...?
From what I recall from my steering column project a while back, 68s were unique from 69-75 columns. One difference that comes to mind is 68s didn't have key switches. A column from a 69-75 might be a better candidate for your '70.
The car was a mix of different years. The column has the key ignition switch on the column and not on the dash. The doors are from a 69 and later year. The speedo and tack are from a 75-76 . The engine id is from a 69 Chevy Impale 350/300. The car was a late June 68 build.
I have looked at 68 tilt columns and what I have is not a 68. Mine does tilt and does tele. I am guessing it is an early 69 and would like to confirm that.
Don’t know if you can find any of the papers from Jim Shea on steering parts / assemblies. He worked for Saginaw, the GM division that produced steering components. Unfortunately a lot of information has disappeared from the internet. Sometimes you have to become a detective.
Those parts are early 69. The giveaway is the lock plate with the plastic film on top. Hard to see in the picture of the shift bowl, but early 69 is a bit longer than later 69-76 and did not use the plastic cover. In your first picture, the bowl support is missing the cross pin that the tilt shoes lock on to. That column will work perfectly in your 70.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Apr 1, 2026 at 07:14 AM.
Hello,
At one time yes.
The link to Jim Shea's steering papers seems to have been corrupted.
Anyone with a current good link?
It would be a shame to lose this information!
Regards.....
Over the years I have downloaded or bookmarked how to articles. I believe I may have almost all if not all of Jim Shea's papers. I just need to get them in one folder.
I do have the pin. I took it off for safe keeping since I did not want to loose it. The key housing is 6 7/16 inches long.
I am missing a some items but are available from Corvette vendors.
I saw a video on assembling a 71 tilt tele column and one of the items he stressed was the short yoke has two flat surfaces. The shorter flat surface must be on same side as the flat side on the longer yoke. Mine are the same size 9/16 inches.
So I guess it dosen't matter which flat side is the same side as the long yoke.
Shark70, that cancelling cam should be ok. Just make sure when you fit it on the upper shaft it is solid and doesn't turn or move independently of the shaft. As far as the contacts, when you put the hub on, just make sure the big spring attached to the hub makes good contact with one of those contacts on the cam. You can fiddle with it and maybe bend one or more until you get one making good contact. Also make sure the spring doesn't touch the lock plate, like where that one contact has some plastic broken away. After that should be good to go.
Oh, and on assembly, the short flat on the upper yoke is at 12:00 when the flat on the end of the steering shaft is at 12:00.
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; Apr 1, 2026 at 08:08 PM.
I believe in the correct orientation, the slot where the lock wedge sits would be at 3 o clock in the proper orientation. It would matter I believe.
So with the end of the steering shaft flat at 12:00, the small cancelling contact is also at 12:00. The flat at 12:00 with the slot for the lock wedge at 3:00 would be the correct orientation.
Help with a Tilt Tele Column
