bvrScout
New member
Have a 76 sii, 304, non-tilt steering column. When I bought the Scout it was missing the ignition key tumbler and steering column bell. I went to a pick n pull and got a complete steering column (from steering joint to steering wheel) off a 78 sii. Bought a full replacement lockset from IHPA.
I removed the original steering column (which was just the shaft and jacket tubing) and tried to install the new steering column but there seemed to not be enough length to connect to the steering joint on the engine side. I paused there and went to work disassembling the steering wheel/lockplate in order to replace the key tumbler which went smoothly thanks to a post on the subject from this site. Being happy this was complete I went back to steering joint connection and was able to connect them. Now there is not enough length on the steering wheel shaft side to put the original steering wheel on and thread the bolt (need another 2 inches or so).
Figuring something May be damaged internally on the "new" column, I put the old steering column back in and swapped the necessary parts over up to the lockplate. I realize now that the shaft on the driver side can be moved up and down by hand. Is this correct or is it damaged? Trying to work with the old steering wheel column and put the lockplate on, the shaft moves down with the lockplate tool on it and I can't access the portion where the snap ring would go back on.
To sum, how can I adjust the steering column to fit on both the steering joint and steering wheel? Thanks!
I removed the original steering column (which was just the shaft and jacket tubing) and tried to install the new steering column but there seemed to not be enough length to connect to the steering joint on the engine side. I paused there and went to work disassembling the steering wheel/lockplate in order to replace the key tumbler which went smoothly thanks to a post on the subject from this site. Being happy this was complete I went back to steering joint connection and was able to connect them. Now there is not enough length on the steering wheel shaft side to put the original steering wheel on and thread the bolt (need another 2 inches or so).
Figuring something May be damaged internally on the "new" column, I put the old steering column back in and swapped the necessary parts over up to the lockplate. I realize now that the shaft on the driver side can be moved up and down by hand. Is this correct or is it damaged? Trying to work with the old steering wheel column and put the lockplate on, the shaft moves down with the lockplate tool on it and I can't access the portion where the snap ring would go back on.
To sum, how can I adjust the steering column to fit on both the steering joint and steering wheel? Thanks!