67 Steering Column Removal & Replacement
I need to install the Flaming River tilt column into my 67 (long story short, due to disability and father time, it is getting harder for me to get into and out of the car). I've read through Jim Shea's articles, AIM and the Corvette Chassis and Service manuals.
Mine is a power brake car with side pipes and when I converted it from standard disc brakes I bought all "correct" parts for the 67 including booster and master cylinder (albeit reproduction new parts). The booster is attached upper to the OEM bolt plate, and through bolted to the firewall with the nuts under the dash on the car side of the firewall. As far as I can tell, I think the column is original to the car.
I understand the steering column support bracket that's on the engine side of the firewall is bolted to the firewall by two bolts, only one of which I can actually see when standing over the open engine compartment. The bolt nearest the driver's side fender I can see--the one I cannot see at all (because of the power brake booster being in the way) is the other one. How do people get to and remove that bolt without removing the power brake booster and master cylinder?
I'm not real anxious to actually lay down across my fender and end up laying across the master cylinder with my legs up in the air, which because I'm only 5'7" seems like the only way of me being able to get to the bolt. Even then, I won't be able to see it. I'm also less anxious to remove the power brake booster and MC to get it out of the way.
I remember from when I pulled the cluster and wanted to take the column out to make that easier, that I couldn't get the column out of the car with the steering support bracket in place--I could only slide the column out so far until it got stuck, I presume at the support bracket. So I'm thinking that (as the articles I read state) the support bracket bolts have to be removed in order to get the column completely out.
I've got the new Flaming River tilt column sitting on my work bench trying to figure out how I'm going to accomplish this project. If it helps, I am blessed with a 4 post lift but not sure if I can get to the bolts from the bottom side either.
Mine is a power brake car with side pipes and when I converted it from standard disc brakes I bought all "correct" parts for the 67 including booster and master cylinder (albeit reproduction new parts). The booster is attached upper to the OEM bolt plate, and through bolted to the firewall with the nuts under the dash on the car side of the firewall. As far as I can tell, I think the column is original to the car.
I understand the steering column support bracket that's on the engine side of the firewall is bolted to the firewall by two bolts, only one of which I can actually see when standing over the open engine compartment. The bolt nearest the driver's side fender I can see--the one I cannot see at all (because of the power brake booster being in the way) is the other one. How do people get to and remove that bolt without removing the power brake booster and master cylinder?
I'm not real anxious to actually lay down across my fender and end up laying across the master cylinder with my legs up in the air, which because I'm only 5'7" seems like the only way of me being able to get to the bolt. Even then, I won't be able to see it. I'm also less anxious to remove the power brake booster and MC to get it out of the way.
I remember from when I pulled the cluster and wanted to take the column out to make that easier, that I couldn't get the column out of the car with the steering support bracket in place--I could only slide the column out so far until it got stuck, I presume at the support bracket. So I'm thinking that (as the articles I read state) the support bracket bolts have to be removed in order to get the column completely out.
I've got the new Flaming River tilt column sitting on my work bench trying to figure out how I'm going to accomplish this project. If it helps, I am blessed with a 4 post lift but not sure if I can get to the bolts from the bottom side either.
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