Calling all folks with 70's van tilt columns!

[ConradBSomething]

Hoping a few of you who have installed the chevy van column can help me out a little.

I just installed one in my 65 and I noticed it doesn't seem to be going all the way up in park. I put the shifter as far up as it went and attached the shift linkage, but it'll only shift as low as 3rd gear (drive). It doesn't seem to be going into park but here's the thing....I can't really tell. The indicator broke off while I was trying to paint the column so I don't know for sure.

I found a thread with a fella with the same problem, he figured out he had a chunk of the busted indicator stuck in the column keeping it from going all the way up. It's REAL old so that threads dead.

I'm hoping maybe some body has had a similar problem or can tell me where the gear shift is positioned when in park (1o'clock 2 o'clock ?)even better maybe a picture of there column from straight on so I can gauge the shifters position when in park.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Jim53066]

The linkage is bound to be off some from one to the other.
When I did column swaps, I always started with the trans and shifter in neutral, then adjusted,, extended, shortened, etc. from that point

Jim

[ConradBSomething]

Should be able to feel "detents" with out the trans linkage hooked up? I mean should be able to feel the different gear positions if it's not hooked to the trans.
Because I defiantly don't. I'm staring to worry I have bigger problems

[Jim53066]

Fell the "detents" on the column? NO

But you should be able to feel the "detents" on the transmission and get that to neutral, from that point place the shifter where neutral would be, and work from there. You will have to extend, retract, change the angle, of the linkage from that point.

Jim

[ConradBSomething]

Don't mean to keep asking dumb questions, but my indicator is broken. So how do I know where neutral is?

[Jim53066]

Can't help ya there, either fix the indicator, or go by feel when shifting.

Stop and think about this, how many times do you look at your indicator on your DD when shifting into gear after starting your engine? Probably NEVER, you do it by feel and muscle memory.

Sometimes with an old truck you just have to wing it, especially when you are changing parts from one type vehicle to another!

Jim

[ConradBSomething]

Very true. Looks I'm just gonna hafta tinker with for a while.

[64shortbox]

I used a 72 Chevy Tilt Column in my 64 C10. My tilt gear shift indicator was also broken & missing when I got my column. BUT there's great news for you they are available for a whopping $5.00 Here's a link - hope it helps http://www.classictruck.com/product/...nd_Lever_Items You want your Van Tilt to look factory with a chrome bezel? try this link http://www.classictruck.com/product/...nd_Lever_Items You planning on adding an Over Drive trans with your column? Check out this over drive replacement indicator lens http://www.classictruck.com/product/...nd_Lever_Items Hope this info helps some folks out. there's also supposed to be a green plastic cover that goes over the bulb diffuser in the column. I was unable to locate one of those so I bought a small bottle of dark green finger nail polish and coated my bulb until I got the correct green hue I wanted. Green spray paint would also work. If you have any other tilt column questions feel free to ask. I take it you relocated the neutral safety switch further up the steering column? There's a how to link on this site for that too.

[ConradBSomething]

Wow I had no idea all that stuff was available, thanks!

Yeah I relocated the neutral safety using that very thread. Ridiculously helpful!

[64shortbox]

If you're still having problems getting your shifter indicator to match the actual gear your transmission is in you might want to consider getting either a Lokar or ididit cable shift assembly for a column shift GM column. NOT cheap though. I went the cheap route and bought a Lokar hard linkage knock off. I was able to adjust my shift indicator to my trans gearing BUT driving down the road the column shift lever shakes terribly and now the shift shaft seal leaks on my transmission. The least expensive Lokar & ididit cable systems I found were on eBay through Summit about $140.00 with free shipping be careful though apparently GM used both 2" & 2 1/4" columns in their vehicles so be sure to measure your van column before ordering if you go that route.
The first 3 photos are what NOT to get - don't make the mistake I did. You can see where my shift shaft seal is leaking on the trans. The other 2 photos are a Lokar cable linkage - the purple transmission and an ididit cable linkage set up - the black column picture. Again hope this info helps.

[rideblue00]

quote : After a cry small set of tweezer and a large amount of curse words, it came out and I got all gears! It still needs some adjustment, but it's good.

lol sounds like me!