Steering Column Conversion - Automatic to Manual, Non-Tilt

[pjmoreland]

I couldn't find any information online about how to perform this conversion, so I thought it would be helpful to post what I have found. I have a 1968 automatic column that I wanted to convert to manual for floor shift/four speed applications. I found photos of a modified and disassembled manual column here:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...column.698886/

Here are the four required manual column components for a stock manual column conversion (parts provided by Mel at Classic Bowties). There are certainly other ways to perform this conversion if you don't care about keeping it original (grinder, JBWeld, welder, etc.):

1) Bowl/bell that has no mounting feature for the shifter arm

2) Turn signal switch housing with no screw holes for a shift indicator

3) Upper bushing that goes between the bowl and upper bearing yoke

4) Cover for the shift arm and detent plate opening at the bottom end of the housing