Morning folks. I have a 1950 pontiac. If I add a power steering box and one of the aftermarket steering columns could I still use my original steering wheel? I'm gonna swap in a pontiac v8 along with a new trans. Thanks for the help.
If you want the stock steering wheel, why change out the column just because you added a different steering box? My 51 Vicky runs stock unit hooked to power and the stock 2 speed Ford-o-matic shifter is connected to a 70-R-4 and all works well. Yes, I spent some time getting it done but Looks are everything. I'm not going to have any of the Street Rod **** in my Toys even though I did it for a living for others. Cheap and Easy isn't everything.
I appreciate yalls feed back. I could keep the original column and go to a floor shift. I don't think there is a good way to hook the original column to a newer trans and make it function correctly because of the hydramatic shift pattern. I want my horn to function correctly so that's what I'm trying to figure out. Thanks
Post a photo of your stock steering wheel and column. Big question is, does your Horn wire go through the center of steering shaft?
Where is your shift indicator and what is it made of? Here's a little Horn trick. You just gotta think outside the written instructions.
Kugel makes a shift arm for the the newer trans, that has a slotted adjustment, to correct the sweep.
They are all over the internet. Just search 1948 Willys Jeep horn contactor. You also need an insulated contact ring. A guy like you and I would just make our own as needed. It ain't rocket science.
[QUOTE="dogwalkin, post: 14825825, member: 209364" I don't think there is a good way to hook the original column to a newer trans and make it function correctly because of the hydramatic shift pattern.[/QUOTE] The trick here if there is one is not to tell your shifter it's not hooked to a Hydromatic anymore. The shift detent index is generally a separate piece. Remove it and make one that does the new job. move on to next job.
They might look stock if installed into a mid-'60s or newer car, older not even close... I never have got what the fascination is with tilt columns, they destroy the vintage look in older cars.
I get that we all have a different comfort location for our steering wheel. However, it seems to be the same place for each one of us all the time. I don't let the factory column mount dictate where things belong. I think they belong where they work for us. In all the years I've been driving my 51 (18 to be exact) and all the guys that own 49-51 Fords that have looked and commented on my setup I have yet to have one of them comment on my Column being mounted lower that Henry made them. I have had them comment on a nice job using all "Stock" stuff. I'll take that as a complement any day when those that know don't see or know what I did. They just like what they see thinking it's stock. Mission accomplished.
I've seen no small number of them installed as a 'fix' because the builder didn't spend the time to properly locate the column. My avatar has one (I have bits to swap it out, but need to build a column to fit my odd-ball Edsel TeleTouch steering wheel I want to use) and as-installed when I got it was tilted full up or you couldn't get in the car... way too low. Shortening the column drop fixed that, no tilt needed now but it still looks like ***...
Tele-Touch is a step back in time. I remember a few battles with them. Having the Right look and everything working as it should isn't ever as Easy as it looks, but it's worth it.
I'm using a 58 or 59 Pontiac column in the T Roadster I am building, I will have to modify the shift indicator to match the T350 Transmission, I used the upper part of the Pontiac column with the lower portion of a Studebaker Hawk column to get a smaller shift arm due to the lack of space in the T. I fabricated a rod to go from the shifter arm to the transmission arm. For what it is worth, my Studebaker came with a standard transmission and I went with a 700R4 transmission, I used a Hawk automatic column and imitated the linkage from GM to shift it. You should be able to modify yours to work.
I'm not using the TeleTouch shifting! That's a can of worms I'm avoiding! No, I just like the style of the wheel but as it doesn't have a 'hub' that attaches to the steering shaft, just a large hole, as long as I can come up with an 'adaptor' to mate the wheel to the turn signal switch/shaft I use it'll work. This allows me an almost open-ended choice of donor columns. The wheel does have an extra-large outer hub however, almost 5" in diameter, so a custom 'collar' will likely be needed. I have been toying with the idea of using the TeleTouch push****ons to operate a cruise control though... LOL.
[QUOTE="Crazy Steve, post: 14825942, member: 222725" The wheel does have an extra-large outer hub however, almost 5" in diameter, so a custom 'collar' will likely be needed. [/QUOTE] I did a thing like that some time back using an old metal funnel. Was easier than rolling a cone and I got lucky in finding one that was more a ball than strait tapper.
So it's more about what you have on hand and what you need to get done. Having lived with ADHD and Dyslexia all my life is a strong contributor to what I do as well as how I get it done. As a school child in the 50's teachers couldn't deal with me. I stumbled on some help around 14 years old when trying to fix a washing machine for my Mom. I had the printed instructions, but they were of no good to me. A neighbor finally said, you can see what it's supposed to do so just do what it takes in your own way and see what happens. I actually fixed that washing machine. Lesson was when the instructions don't work for your job at hand stop and think for yourself and move on.
I did a thing like that some time back using an old metal funnel. Was easier than rolling a cone and I got lucky in finding one that was more a ball than strait tapper.[/QUOTE] Commercial/residential track lighting has all sorts of cone shapes in different sizes...
Tele-Touch service issues were a major problem with Edsels from the get-go. Packing 10 pounds in a 5 pound steering column might be a nightmare.. YMMV
Lots of good ideas. To go back to the OPs question, it depends on the horn activation wire, the transmission being used, and the splines on the proposed column. It sounds like the original column is least desired, but if using a floor shift, that column can be adapted to power steering. Case in point for ideas- both my Buicks have 3 speed column shifts and slated for automatics. Early ST400 transmission going in the first one and no power steering. Solution- using the original steering shaft with a 63 Impala tube going over it. Original restored steering wheel works, as does the Powerglide shift pattern and indicator. Second one slated for a 700R4 with power steering. Solution- 60s Chevy C10 auto column (no ignition switch) using the original shaft that is modified to use a rag joint. Shift indicator will be made to line up and using the original wheel. I am not a fan of aftermarket columns when other options are available.
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