Can a 67-72 column be used in a 64-66?

[HSRACER]

I have a bad 3 speed column in my 65.

Can I put one in from a 67-72 in with out a bunch of modifications?

[65truckowner]

I am sure it could be done. I tried to put a 68-69 3speed in my 65 and had linkage problems and ended up finding a 65 3 speed to make it work also the turn signal switch may be different which would not plug into your 65 harness.

[murdoc]

Will take some work. I attempted it as well when I converted over from my 4 speed to my 3 speed overdrive.

I also remember the linkage being the problem. The frame and drivetrain aren't the issue as much as the cab dimension differences and the different curves the linkage arms make to snake through to get to the three speed tranny. Linkage arms are also problematic due to the change to the 7 bolt side cover saginaw from the 4 bolt side cover muncie that our trucks came with.

All of these factors, and probably some I haven't mentioned, play into the later model column conversion.

I too waited for a good 60-66 column to come along and I rebuilt it. Works perfectly now, and I very pleased having gone that route.

[HSRACER]

Originally Posted by murdoc

Will take some work. I attempted it as well when I converted over from my 4 speed to my 3 speed overdrive.

I also remember the linkage being the problem. The frame and drivetrain aren't the issue as much as the cab dimension differences and the different curves the linkage arms make to snake through to get to the three speed tranny. Linkage arms are also problematic due to the change to the 7 bolt side cover saginaw from the 4 bolt side cover muncie that our trucks came with.

All of these factors, and probably some I haven't mentioned, play into the later model column conversion.

I too waited for a good 60-66 column to come along and I rebuilt it. Works perfectly now, and I very pleased having gone that route.

Thanks for the info. I would like to rebuild it but don’t know where to get the parts. Any recommendations. Big problem is I am going to be pulling it all out when I go to an LS later so any money I put in it is going to be a bit of a waste

[murdoc]

LMC, Brothers and I'm sure many other truck parts companies sell most of the internals for our OEM columns. Even the parts unique to the three on the tree can be sourced through these companies. I seem to remember all I needed were the top and bottom bearings, some bushings, and a good thorough cleaning of everything.

There are also shifting eyelets (kinda look like eye bolts) at the bottom of the column that the shift linkage arms connect to. These sometimes wear out at the base where they are engaged with the inner tube prong that moves them into their appropriate positioning. The worn out metal on these pieces sometimes need to be welded up, grind down, and reshaped to eliminate some of the play, allowing you to have a tighter, smoother, and more responsive shift into each of the gears. It will also help keep your transmission IN gear while driving.

The GM service manual gives good directions for making the proper adjustments and in what order once you are ready to reassemble everything.

As for the cost and time, I found this rebuild to be very informative, and not too difficult or expensive. It does take time though, but driving my truck became so much more enjoyable. It was rewarding to have done it myself, and the renewed confidence in the shifting mechanism allows you to fully enjoy the unique experience of column shifting.

Plus when you no longer need it, you will have a great working column that you can sell, instead of just throwing it away.

[HSRACER]

Originally Posted by murdoc

LMC, Brothers and I'm sure many other truck parts companies sell most of the internals for our OEM columns. Even the parts unique to the three on the tree can be sourced through these companies. I seem to remember all I needed were the top and bottom bearings, some bushings, and a good thorough cleaning of everything.

There are also shifting eyelets (kinda look like eye bolts) at the bottom of the column that the shift linkage arms connect to. These sometimes wear out at the base where they are engaged with the inner tube prong that moves them into their appropriate positioning. The worn out metal on these pieces sometimes need to be welded up, grind down, and reshaped to eliminate some of the play, allowing you to have a tighter, smoother, and more responsive shift into each of the gears. It will also help keep your transmission IN gear while driving.

The GM service manual gives good directions for making the proper adjustments and in what order once you are ready to reassemble everything.

As for the cost and time, I found this rebuild to be very informative, and not too difficult or expensive. It does take time though, but driving my truck became so much more enjoyable. It was rewarding to have done it myself, and the renewed confidence in the shifting mechanism allows you to fully enjoy the unique experience of column shifting.

Plus when you no longer need it, you will have a great working column that you can sell, instead of just throwing it away.

Thank you for the information!

[weim55]

I have a '69 column in my '65 that I swapped in 30 years ago. '65 started as a powerglide - manual steering truck and I converted to turbo 400 automatic- power steering from a '69 C10 donor. I wish I could remember specifics but nothing major was done for the swap. Used all the '69 linkage for the turbo 400 to the steering column if I remember correctly.

For the signal switch it was easy to trace out the wiring, cut, splice, solder and heat shrink the original '65 plug the the '69 column wiring. For the 4 way flashers there is one wire left after the '65 plug is installed. Add a 2nd flasher to that wire and pig tail the other terminal to a constant hot (+) source.

I used the original '65 shifter handle in the '69 column to look OEM, no mods required.

Not sure about your 3 speed stick differences (?) Bare in mind '65 is the last year for the old non syncro 3 speed (pretty sure about that...) so the linkage column to transmission will certainly be different 67' up. Maybe reuse your '65 linkage on the '67 up column (?)

If it helps I could put an eye on my '65 if you have any questions......

Steve weim55 Colorado

[richards72chevy]

One advantage of the 67-72 column is the collapsible shaft.