49-52 Chevy guys, what steering column did youdecide on?

I have a 50 Chevy with a M2 frt end and I am looking for a decent column that looks right. I have an early 60's Chevy wheel I just picked up off ebay. I am afraid a tilt late model column would look like ass in a 50's era mild custom. So what did ya end up with?

 

..Hi I used the OEM one,I cut it and put on what is called save a coulmn...I will send you a few photos of it...Miller

 

Thanks.

 

Modify the stocker.

Cut tube to length.
Bush end of tube.
Cut haft to length.
Install 3/4 colar on shaft
Grind flats on shaft so that shaft will accept double D end.
Done.

 

So what about turn signals? I have never used one of those aftermarket hootis deals.

 

Stock column, shortened, with the stock steering shaft ground to DD. I welded the bearing housing from a late model GM column to my column and used a collar to keep everything in place. I also bolted a column support to the inside of my firewall and clamped it in place.




**Edit: I used one of the Signal Stat (or something like that) turn signal switches from Chevsofthe40s.



Bryan

 

By 54 I think you can dig up a column with a turn signal switch on it.. if you're running a floor shift, pretty much any 54-60 column from a manual trans GM car could be cut to work. By 57-58 they had rag joints. Any GM wheel fits.

Mine has a stock front end but I want to swap in a '54 box, cut that column off, put a U-joint on it, and I have a '63 Riviera column tucked away here to run... going to see if I can make a '58 Buick wheel work on it, too.

 

cut the stock colume off at the box pulled out the inner shaft cut the tube to length cut the inner shaft to length milled the end to DD put a bearing at the end of the tube (3/4 id ) welded a tab at the base of the tube to mount to the floor


i guess i for got to ask if you still had the stock box

 

My buddy Rich cut his stock column also.

 

P.M.'d ya...

 

I cut the stock column. I'll be using a 53 chevy 3 speed shifter to work the automatic. chose a 53 cuz it looks a bit more snazzy in my opinion. plus I found it in my friends scrap pile for free.

for blinks I have a factory option 49 turn signal switch. there are lots of neat looking old style blinker switches out there, just takes a bit of looking.

one thing to do is to get your motor in with the exhaust you will be using before cutting the original column. a little more or less length in the column could make things easier as far as clearance goes.

nothing I hate worse than a nice old car with a big fat tilt wheel from a later model.

I thought about putting a blinker switch in the door panel or on the dash before i found my old time unit. keep it all hidden

 

..Hi I can't send the info to you your email keeps coming back"can't deliver"....hankshank3@aol.com

 

Really? Roothawg1@cox.net

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

Root-

I used a '57 Chevy column in my '54 truck.... not exactly what you're looking for, but close enough. I pretty much used the same technique as everyone else did, except that I used a bushing from the McMaster-Carr catalog and then drilled a hole thru the steering shaft at the end of the column and put a roll pin in it to keep the shaft from sliding out when you tighten up the nut at the wheel.


Ed

 

I Found A 63 Caddy Tilt With Out The Key I,m Thinking Of Useing It

 

too new for a true 50's custom, but i run a 63 riviera tilt column, one of the best looking columns out there IMHO.

 

'60 chevy with 4.5" sectioned out. smoothed off PRNDL and shifter. Filed end to "DD" and used flaming river joints. Turn sigs included, but no key on column.Hell, it was free.

 

Hey Stickylifter, got any pics of it from the side?

 

Hey Root, how ya been?

I modified the stock one on dad's swap a couple yaers ago.

 

I used the stock column - cut it, but a bearing in the end, and ground and drilled it to fint my U-joint. It also has the original 3 speed shifter converted to work with the automatic trans.

Looks cool.

 

Good Lawd!!! It's Rocket88, where you been boy?

 

I've just been released from rehab for HAMB addicts!
I figured it was time to poke my head out of the gopher hole and see what was going on.
How's the car coming along?

 

I have been thrashing on it over the winter. It was put on the back burner for a few years but it is back under the knife. I installed a m2 front end and a 57 Chevy pass car rear. 3" blocks out back. I have a Vortec 350 on the stand slated for it. I'll have progress pics soon. The goal is to have it finished by March/April of next year.

 

X2. Thanks for this idea it saved me alot of money and time. I put the stocker back in my 53

Thanks again
MrC

 

My '51 Fleetline ith a '63 Belair column

 

bringing this one back with a twist. doing the V8 swap right now, has anyone installed an GM tilt onto the factory steering box. (can you take the column apart, cut the shaft down near the steering box, add a joint (not sure if the shaft is round or has flat side).

I know its not traditional but I prefer to use the Tilt with built in turn signal, makes it easier for my wife to drive and see over the steering wheel and next year I will be switching to MII when funds are once available.

 

cutting the shaft and adding bushing works bothways. factory column w/ modern steering box or stock box and aftermarket column. i want to know about power steering box set-up to work with stock suspension. any ideas?

 

I have heard of using the astro van box with custom brackets I will see if I can find the thread....

here ya go...http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249898&highlight=astro+van+steering

 

thats what i was looking for ,thanks meddler

 

I need to figure what I am going to do for a column for my 51 hard top. It was clipped and has a nasty gm tilt column that looks like it came out of an astro van. I have no idea where to start or what to use.