TECH Question... installing '66 Caddy Column into '51 Chevy

[133]

is there anyone out there that can help me out? call me stupid but i just want to know what the steps are to switch over to this column. would i need a new steering box, etc, etc. are there any tech articles previously on the HAMB or in any car mags that i could use as a source? thanks a lot.


oh, does anyone know of good steering column/wheel restores in So Cal?

[Rocky]

Welp, I adapted an 80 chevy van column into my 50 chevy a few years ago. I used a 53 chevy steering box because it's got roller bearings in it rather than the 49-52 boxes, which had brass bushings but the modifications are exactly the same. My van column was only about 1/4 inch bigger in diameter so I was able to reuse my stock chevy column drop after filing it a bit for the bigger column. I removed the column from the original chevy steering shaft [3/4" round stock] and cut the shaft off.....left about 6 inches of shaft sticking out of the steering box...I took diameter measurements of the shaft and the hole in the top of the steering box and went to my bearing supply house with the measurements to buy a seal....slid it down the stub shaft and tapped it in place. I wrapped the stub shaft with wet rags and welded a rag-joint receiver to the end of the stub, taking care not to melt that new seal.
I shortened the van column and bolted it in place with a new rag joint. Worked slick and the rag joint helped with road vibration...gave me modern turn signals too.

[ray]

yup, just what rocky said! one tip if your' bucks down though, you can cut the bearing/bushing(i've seen both) out of the top of the discarded column, the bearing that supported the wheel, shave the outside diameter down about 1/8" and use it instead of buying another bearing.

and that last line, is your column junk? cause if it is i wouldn't rebuild it, i'd just get another from the boneyard.

[133]

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and that last line, is your column junk? cause if it is i wouldn't rebuild it, i'd just get another from the boneyard.

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i wouldn't say it's junk, but it could use a touch up, ya know re-painted and the wheel has some small cracks in it. i got it at the Pomona swap meet. t thank you to you both for the input.

[burndup]

If its anyting like the column in my '66 deville, go for it, its DOPE! The only thing you're gonna have a bitch of a time restoring, unless theres a repop, is the foam pad in the center. But yeah, it tilts, it telescopes, its badass!

When I had to replace my ragjiont, I had it all the way out, it looked like standard GM down there...

good luck, post a pic of it in!

-J

[133]

burndup, yeah my column does have a foamy thing in the center around the horn button or something like that. it has the column shift which i will need to take off since i already have a floor shifter.

would you happen to have any extra mounting brackets and seal? the guy i bought it from didn't have them and i can't find them. just wanted to ask.