Mocking up steering column and shifter box question...

[missinfishin10]

I bought this 1950 project truck back in March or April and have been pretty busy putting it back together as an original driver. Bought the factory manual and it has helped but, I'm stumped on this issue.

It looks like the column outer shaft is off a 1/4 turn one way or the other. Screws for the shifter mechanism on the upper shaft are facing the drivers door. Does shifter box go on top or on the bottom of the column? Doesn't look like it had been apart prior to 63 years of clay, grease and more clay removal. Will the outer shaft turn or should I un-bolt it and turn it? What is inside? Is it a "can of worms" in there? See pics...

Thanks in advance everyone!

Jeff

[Russell Ashley]

Looks like you need to remove the bolts and turn the column jacket 90 degrees. That oval shaped hole should be on top. The shifter box has a pin that fits in that hole.