The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop calling all 327'ers. / camaro clippers. i need a rec. for steering column

i have a a 327 and a camro clip and power steering and would like to know what column to use. i can be either junk yard or new i just want it to look "old school" . no billet aluminum or donor columns with pastic and junk. whatever look good! also what headers have been used the most when doing this. Abd can i use my stock radiator if i switch to a high volume electric fan?

I always liked the Chevy Van tilt column because it's nice and clean looking with just the small round upper end. I want to say early 70's.

You can run some Camaro full length headers since it's a subframe from a Camaro. I bolted up a full length ceramic coated pair on my brothers truck a while back and they sure do look nice!

I ran my AD for about 6 years with the stock "re-cored" radiator. I installed a high flow water pump, high flow thermostat, had the mechanical fan and a pusher mounted in front of the radiator. I only really needed the electric on in the summer time when I hit more than 3 lights in a row.

can i use my chevy truck steering wheel on it?

Mike-

I'll check one of my stock wheel on the column tomorrow morning and get back to you.

Mike,

There was a thread a couple months back that talked about cutting your stock tube a little ways past the firewall. Going down to the frame with a brace, then cutting the steering shaft a little beyond that and fitting it with a U-Joint and collapsing shaft to join up with your steeringn box U-joint. Retains the clean stock look on the inside, added safety of collapsing shaft and not that tough to do. Certainly easier than putting in a donor column.

The Chevy van column is a good one for a couple reasons. Factory tilt, auto selector
has the needle and faceplate on the column
(like'72 chevy pu) so there isn't a guess
for auto needle in the dash. Short and stubby
at the firewall.

i seem to be having a hard time finding that article.i figure that if i go the ididit route the parts will run me 350 for the clumn and mounts then i wont be able to use my streeing wheel. buying a cool new on ethat looks old will probably be anither 150 and that just to much! i'll post another topic regarding column conversion.

Mike,

The Stock steering wheel will fit the 70's Van column but you'll need an adapter to space the steering wheel up higher to clear the signal lever. It appears that the stock wheel lays flatter on the outer rim and doesn't have enought angle from the center hub to the outer ring to clear the signal lever. An adapter or spacer is required.

I get those 70 Van column "tilt with shifter and indicator" for $100.00 at the swap meets around here. I bought two for my project last month.

here is a van colump with telescope and mazda levers. Cover is off the levers. Now you get hi flash, wiper delay, washer goes 2 wipes then off, cruize switches on washer stalk. Headlight and wiper on/of on column.
[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0NQAAAPQP2I1yWmradxNf!quqbXJaAr58uqwZpO6gtEtGE2VEk5TNetRmNTCtEJVsOcSiNU5eQyDYf7XNlYWYVA/COLUMN_11_22-6.jpg[/img]

[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: tpsierra ]

Mike ,
chev1 has the answer ... I think you'll find the 67-72 C10 tilt will work , but it'll put the neutral safety switch RIGHT ON the firewall/floorboard exit. Difficult to hook up , not impossible , but a pita. The van column is shorter and a definite advantage. The adaptor kit is available at most local parts stores for about #10.00 or less ... Unless ya GOTTA HAVE chrome/polished , if you need a steering knuckle or two , they're available at tractor supply stores for about half the cost of - (pick a high buck brand).
P.S. : chev1 knows a little about AD trucks
http://50chevy.freeservers.com/
don't ake my word for it ... ASK ANYBODY.

thanks for the info but i found that i can use the stock column with a certain bearing pushed into the shaft. i know it would be more comfortable to go with a fancier one but i just gota keep that stock look. i one of those guys that just doesnt like anything billet,and want my ride to look like it was kustomized iin the fifties.