Doober said:
On the subject of a steering column swap... one of our regulars showed up yesterday in a sexy '79 4-speed Elky... said he got the column from a late 2nd Gen Camaro, and it bolted right in. It didn't appear to be a factory manual because it didn't have the G-Body hump. Any insight to this?
My friend has a 4 speed 2nd gen and the bowl of his column rotates for a key release instead of having a key release lever, when the trans in put in reverse only. The part that rotates is like our G bodies where the shifter rotates the column. Sounds like you'd still have the same problem as before with no key release or trying to make one up to work with that column.
I have a steering column from an 85 Firebird that I just finished fitting to my Malibu. I disassembled both columns and used the G body ignition switch, high beam switch, turn signal switch and turn signal lever on the F body column. I cut the firewall flange off both columns and have the G body flange on the F body column. I checked the length of the steering column shaft D to a marked spot on the firewall with the G body column and then again with the F body column and I was able to get the F body column in the right spot. I didn't want the steering shaft over or under extended. It's all bolted together and I just have to weld the firewall flange to the F body column.
The only part of this swap that might not fit is the plastic bowl on the upper part of the column. It might hit against the instrument panel bezel. I guess I'll see if I need to trim anything when I put the dash back in the car.