I apologize for my density here and appreciate your patience. This is bizarre.

When I did my disassembly the wires had been cut, but I carefully saved ALL parts and have no mast bearing...unless (!) it's inside the column, which I did not disassemble. I removed the steering wheel and turn signal switch housing (#5 in the LMC diagram), unbolted the steering box from the frame, and then removed the whole column assembly down through the firewall.

Here are two pics of what I've got now.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d...20Pickup/20150520_063748_zpsy3spkiyv.jpg
That slot in the column housing sure looks like it should have a wire going through it. eh?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d...20Pickup/20150520_063823_zpsllswkgtr.jpg
So is there a mast bearing down inside there? If so, do I have to take the column out and take it apart to get to that bugger?

Note: the spring-loaded bushing (#14 in the LMC diagram) makes contact with the top surface of the steering column "sleeve" so it seems like that should be the electrical conduit. eh?

A VW guy trying his hand at a '59 LB fs. Lots to learn, but it's about the journey.