van tilt column questions

[hammerdog57]

I am installing a 78 chevy van tilt steering column in my 55 second series truck and had a few questions. Has anyone shortened this column? Not shortened this column and used it as is? Looking for some splined u joints to mate to a 77 camaro steering gear and to the splined end of steering column. Pics or link to a thread of an instalation would be great.

[Rude Dude]

I have found some pics on the web on shortening the colum the first three pics are of cutting a section at the base of coulmn: 1. Outer sleeve cut then 2. inside shift sleeve cut 3. shaft cut (the guy stated he cut the shaft to desired length and used a 4 inch grinder and flat file to make a Double D 3/4 size fo steering joint. The last two pictures is if you want to keep the splines involves cutting outer and inner sleeve as the first picks. But requires the complete disassembly of column for cutting of main steering shaft for gringing to a bevel for weld and sliding a sleeve after welding for added strength. This is what I had done a few years back on an old truck stock column (55 2nd series) to bring after market wheel closer to my dash.

[Rude Dude]

Here is a pic of the coulmn taken a part

[hammerdog57]

Thanks for the pics. Would like to here from other members who did this swap and what they did to make it work. And what u joints they used.

[Rude Dude]

I forgot to add my truck I have a Mustang II set up so camaro would be different. I plan to shorten the column here shortly look also at chuckdriver build he has a camaro clip with van column.

[hammerdog57]

Rude Dude, thanks for the pics. Have you found any links that show how to shorten the column?

[mr48chev]

I'm amazed, I thought everything 1969 and later had a collapsible column.

The tubes would be easy enough to shorten but the best way to shorten the shaft would be to have it resplined or changed to a Double D

The other option might be to take a shaft and lower bearing out of a collapsible column and shorten it and use it in the shortened van column. I might have to dig in the junk pile to see if that will work.

[Rude Dude]

I thought the pics would give you an indication how it is done. Length is up to you like I said I am not running a camaro clip so it depends where you want it out of the firewall and hook up to shift lever.

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Rude Dude, thanks for the pics. Have you found any links that show how to shorten the column?

[ChuckDriver]

Don't have pics on how it was done but you can see how it turned out in my thread. The joints came from Flaming river.

[papastrk]

I shortened both tubes but left shaft full length. I did this to get shift linkage back away from exhaust manifold. I disassembled to shorten tubes. Scribed a line down length of tubes to keep alignment correct.

[hammerdog57]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Don't have pics on how it was done but you can see how it turned out in my thread. The joints came from Flaming river.

Chuckdriver, do you have any pics of shifter linkage installed? It looks like i would have to put a bend in mine to clear brake pedal arm if i dont shorten column.

[ChuckDriver]

You can make it out in this shot when I was doing the ZZ4 swap last year. It's a Kugel shift linkage and the rod is straight. I put a bend in the shift arm to clear the brake pedal.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by papastrk

I shortened both tubes but left shaft full length. I did this to get shift linkage back away from exhaust manifold. I disassembled to shorten tubes. Scribed a line down length of tubes to keep alignment correct.

If you shorten the tubes scribing that line down the tubes to assure perfect alignment is a must do deal.

[hammerdog57]

Anyone have a link to replacement parts for this column? Going to mock up column this weekend to see what needs to be done.

[Rude Dude]

Try google first or Ebay, Chevy dealers also still carry the parts

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Anyone have a link to replacement parts for this column? Going to mock up column this weekend to see what needs to be done.

[trailrunner]

Good thread ..... the column in my '52 project almost fell apart when I took it out. I've been trying to figure out what column to put back in ..... this thread suggests to me that I might be able to just rebuild the column that I have. Does anyone have a link to a fairly clear schematic of how all the parts fit together inside a column? Or perhaps to a thread that details how exactly to rebuild one?

[Kodiaks53]

My Chevy Dealer Parts guy is a old high school buddy and he gives me a copy of the detailed drawings he has on their computer. Might be worth a try with your local Chevy dealer ?

[papastrk]

The parts department will have a detailed drawing, but not all parts shown are available. I've found that the upper bearing is most often good, and I do not disturb the bearing preload. The lower bearing and nylon support are available and will most likely need to be replaced. Dis-assembly and assembly can be tedious. Just takes time.

[hammerdog57]

Do a google search of this site for 1978 chevy van steering column and you wiil find a post by chuck driver showing a article on how to take apart, shorten and install in a 55 chevy car. Couldnt have got column apart without it. Article is a scaned copy and is hard to read. A better copy or drawing would be helpful.

[ChuckDriver]

You mean these?

[ChuckDriver]

1 more.

[hammerdog57]

Yes those are the ones. Chuck i was going though your build thread and you said your dad machined the dd end on shaft. How was it done? Have my column apart and wondered if i was going to have to take shaft to a machine shop to get it done. And did you keep flat part of dd end in 'TIME' with fork tilt end of shaft?

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Yes those are the ones. Chuck i was going though your build thread and you said your dad machined the dd end on shaft. How was it done? Have my column apart and wondered if i was going to have to take shaft to a machine shop to get it done. And did you keep flat part of dd end in 'TIME' with fork tilt end of shaft?

Yep, my Dad did it in the machine shop in the bearing plant were he works. I believe from talking to him that it was done on a "surface grinder". And no we did not do anything to keep it "timed" to the upper end. He was able to do it without taking the coulmn apart too!

I think it could been done by hand if you were very careful and took your time.

[ChuckDriver]

Here's a link to the pages above. Might be able to see/print them better!

http://www.trifive.com/eklers/eklers-articles.htm

[hammerdog57]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Yep, my Dad did it in the machine shop in the bearing plant were he works. I believe from talking to him that it was done on a "surface grinder". And no we did not do anything to keep it "timed" to the upper end. He was able to do it without taking the coulmn apart too!

I think it could been done by hand if you were very careful and took your time.

Thanks for your help chuck. I think i will try to machine the end of shaft myself by practicing on part of shaft im going to cut off. If i cant do it i will take it to the machine shop.