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

[pjmoreland]

Here's a photo of a fully disassembled automatic steering column. The shifter arm, indicator, wire cover and fiber optic are missing from the photo

[pjmoreland]

Here are the automatic parts combined with the manual parts that will be needed for reassembly. The lower bushing and support washer need to be reused. Not pictured are the lower bearing, turn signal wire cover, firewall seal and clamping ring that will also be reused.

[pjmoreland]

Here are some photos that show the order of assembly.

[pjmoreland]

Continued assembly.

The turn signal switch wires and connector must be fed through the parts ahead of time.

Insert the special manual column upper bushing into the bell with the plastic side down toward the bell.

Attach the upper bearing yoke to the back of the turn signal switch.

The turn signal switch slips into the housing at an angle with the FLASHER knob inserted into the smaller of the two openings.

The turn signal switch housing then slides onto the column housing rotated out of position so it will clear the bumps on the column housing.

Once the turn signal switch housing is rotated to the correct position with the FLASHER switch pointing to the right and the flat wire routing portion of the column housing facing downward, then the upper bearing yoke can be engaged with the top of the column housing. Twist it back and forth until you feel it pop into the correct position. The yoke and switch will no longer be able to be rotated if they are in the correct position. Install the three shoulder screws to clamp everything together. The turn signal will need to be clicked down to provide access to all three holes.

On my column, the bell can be rotated back and forth a little bit, but it is held fairly snugly into position by the bushings.

The lower bearing and cover are then installed on the bottom end of the column housing. Position the bearing screw holes in the middles of the slots so the cover will cover up the other holes that are no longer used.

Install the wire cover over the turn signal switch wires.

[pjmoreland]

Here are the parts that were left over from the automatic column. The shift indicator lens is missing from this photo, as is the fiber optic bulb holder.

I'm thinking I will transfer the foam ring from the shift tube to the inside of the column to help seal a couple of holes on the bottom of the column housing that aren't covered by anything. I don't know if an original manual column would have had the foam ring.
***EDIT: Gregski confirmed that there was no foam ring in the floor shift column style.***

[pjmoreland]

Here's the complete manual column. I will be disassembling this later to repaint it. I will also be replacing the rubber dash seal/grommet.

[cericd]

Nice write-up. I'm sure this info will come in handy for someone wanting to do the same swap.

[Palf70Step]

Nice. Thanks for the work

[pjmoreland]

I suspect the manual non-tilt floor shift column is the least popular column out there based on the lack of information about it.

[jocko]

nice write-up! Thanks for documenting. Nice project for someone converting to a floor shifter wanting to clean up their column.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I suspect the manual non-tilt floor shift column is the least popular column out there based on the lack of information about it.

yet it is my favorite, thanks for your contribution

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Gregski

yet it is my favorite, thanks for your contribution

I'm interested to see if the floor shift column you bought has a piece of foam inside down at the bottom.

[Grumpy old man]

I've had this one for sale on the parts board for a while now , it may have saved you some time ?

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=834522

[Grumpy old man]

Picture .

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I've had this one for sale on the parts board for a while now , it may have saved you some time ?

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=834522

It would have saved me time and maybe some money, too.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I've had this one for sale on the parts board for a while now , it may have saved you some time ?

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=834522

dang it I just paid twice that for one on eBay (it better be twice as good, ha ha)

[MikeandCheryl]

Great article. I'm thinking of going the other way. Taking a manual column and turning it into an automatic shift column (or swapping). Conversely, i could convert my tranny from SM465 to Th350 and just shift it with a floor shift - if this is possible. Surely i don't need a column shifter if the tranny linkage is accessible through the trans cover? Great write up and thanks.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MikeandCheryl

Great article. I'm thinking of going the other way. Taking a manual column and turning it into an automatic shift column (or swapping). Conversely, i could convert my tranny from SM465 to Th350 and just shift it with a floor shift - if this is possible. Surely i don't need a column shifter if the tranny linkage is accessible through the trans cover? Great write up and thanks.

Unless you're wanting to keep things looking stock, and you don't mind cutting a hole in your floor, then adding a floor shifter seems like a straightforward approach. About 25 years ago, I converted my old '67 from three-on-the-tree manual to automatic by swapping in a column and linkage from an automatic truck. It wasn't a particularly complicated job, but it was easier to find used parts in good condition back then. If you do decide to get a used automatic column, look out for wear in the following locations:

1) Detent Plates - the original column in my current truck had a groove worn in the stationary detent plate, so it would no longer stay latched in Park (dangerous)

2) Bell - this component is made of aluminum, and it tends to become sloppy where it engages the shift tube. The hole for the shifter arm pin can also get enlarged and loose

Worn bell:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f8jF-DhMsk

Good bell:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZi8EhuJznE

[pjmoreland]

Gregski has confirmed that there was no foam doughnut inside the 4-speed column down at the bottom end. I guess that was just an automatic column feature.

[bambbrose]

Old thread, just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to document everything here. This is exactly what I needed.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by bambbrose

Old thread, just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to document everything here. This is exactly what I needed.

Documentation was sparse on this oddball column when I was trying to build one.