The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 57 chevy truck ?? steering swap ??

hi all ,, im looking to stick a new column in my truck 1957 ( x Oregon truck ) ?? most likely one from summit raceing and im going to put in an automatic one thus doing away with floor shifter .. the problem is that I don't know how the inner steering shaft connects to the steering box ,, this causes the problem of not knowing which column to buy and what length .. has anyone done this conversion ?? if so please tell all ha ha I need shaft size and is it splined and hows it connected to column shaft ?? cheers from new Zealand

original steering box, the inner shaft is one piece and not connected to anything. The worm gear on the bottom is pressed in, I believe. You will need to cut the inner shaft off and I think there are kits to cut the outer tube shorter and put a bearing in it to support the end of the shaft. I think once you do that, you grind or mill the shaft so you have 2 flats on opposite sides. to connect your new column to.

As Mike says, generally you cut the old column outer tube leaving the inner shaft longer than the tube. This is done to a length to accommodate your new column. You will grind two flats on the old inner shaft to receive a coupler (straight or universal joint style). This is called a double "D" shape. The new column will possibly have this shape also. It must be all measured so that the coupler of choice will connect the two (old and new) shafts together.
Here is a bearing for the old shaft to support the inner shaft after cut....or make your own. Lots of info on the internet about this swap.
http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59...Bearing/productinfo/76-987/#.V5Zce-n6s5s

Approximate example from Ididit:
http://www.ididitinc.com/pdf/55-59ChevyTruckColumnInstallInstr.pdf

Another:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/stock-steering-column-conversion-bearing.447979/

You can also use an "intermediate shaft" to span the distance or as a way to angle the shaft. This is just a piece of double D shafting.

hey thanks for that ,, awesome to get replys that are common sense ,, was hopeing there was an aftermarket bolt in one ,, but seems have to get down and dirty and do it myself ,,, cheers from new Zealand

hey bartmos awesome links makes the job an arseol to do and time consumeing but it tells all and is the best way I think ,,, it now means that im going to have to go power steering seeing as im cutting and tucking hahaha more complication but never mind will plod on ,,, so again thanks from new Zealand for the links and keep driving

You are welcome.