Carl: I read your article a couple of weeks ago, but given that it was
not a stock column I didn't know if it applied to me. You said "this
left only 1-2 inches of column showing through the floor", but you
didn't say how far out of the column the shaft extended. Also, did the
new column come through the floor in the same position as the original
column? If it does, a measurement from the top of your upper u-joint to
the firewall along the axis of the steering column shaft will be all I
need to calm my fears. I'm one of these people who plan and fret over a
project for months before starting it and still have to make one or two
extra trips to the parts store after I actually begin.
The U-joints I am using are from Flaming River and claim to work up to
35 degrees. No way I will be bending them that far.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl & Becky Ham [mailto:the_hams@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:38 AM
To: ccpanel@yahoo.com; Hanlon, Bill (ISS Houston);
oletrucks@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [oletrucks] RE: original column with power steering
Guys:
A few years ago when I switched steering columns and steering gear box
in my
'56 Stepside, I was told (and later found out the hard way) not to
exceed a
15 degree angle with the u-joints. I replaced my stock column with one
from
and '88 Gran Prix and it protruded through the firewall about 12 inches.
By
the time I finished, I had cut almost 9 inches off the column (leaving
only
about 3 inches showing in the engine compartment). Only then could I
get
the steering shafts and u-joints to work without binding.
I submitted a tech article regarding my power steering conversion on the
website and I think it's still there. Look it over and see if it can be
any
help. Good Luck!
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy Stepside Pickup
Hopewell, IL
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