67 Telescopic column

[Dereck S.]

My 67 Roadster has a telescopic column on it. However, the original tank sheet has no listing of this option suggesting the car was not born with it. I noticed the portion adjacent to the rag joint is different then other tele columns I have seen on other cars. Is it possible that my column is not a correct 67 tele column? The Length between the rag joint, clamp, and plastic collar is different. I want to restore this area an want to do it right. Attached is a photo of my column.

[Mike E.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

My 67 Roadster has a telescopic column on it. However, the original tank sheet has no listing of this option suggesting the car was not born with it. I noticed the portion adjacent to the rag joint is different then other tele columns I have seen on other cars. Is it possible that my column is not a correct 67 tele column? The Length between the rag joint, clamp, and plastic collar is different. I want to restore this area an want to do it right. Attached is a photo of my column.

That pic certainly is dissimilar to my 67 that has a telescopic column that is original and on the tank sticker. I think that your suspicion is correct--that it was added later on, and that is some kind of an adapter that you are looking at that is a non-stock piece.

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

From my information you seem to have the correct flexible coupling for a telescoping steering column. However, the distance from the edge of the clamp on the steering shaft to the flexible coupling flange does not seem to match the length on my engineering drawing. It should be around 2.68 inches for a late 1967 telescoping column. (I am quite sure that your vehicle has a dimension less than 2.68 inches.)

The thing that really confuses the issue is that all of the early 1967 steering columns (standard non-adjustable as well as telescoping) should have been campaigned to replace the steering shafts. Original shafts had a snap ring groove and a round wire ring to hold the lower column bearing in place. All of those steering shafts should have been campaigned and replaced. Replacement shafts did not have a groove and had a clamp with a nut and bolt to retain the lower bearing (like your picture). There is a good chance that the campaign parts may not have been exactly the same as the late 1967 production parts.

On a very sad note: One of the engineers who was very instrumental in the design of these first generation, energy absorbing steering columns died of a heart attack less than two weeks ago. I was going to try and interview him and pick his brain on the energy absorbing steering column campaign. That is what happens when you procrastinate!

Jim Shea

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

I just got a bit more information on the 1967 column. I think that the clamp in the picture should be loosened. Then push the clamp up against the plastic spacer until the spring above the spacer is compressed to solid height. Then move the clamp back 0.020 to 0.060. Tighten the clamp bolt to 22 ft-lbs. This might move things up the shaft to a point where you may have close to 2.6 inches.

If you could take a picture where you have a slightly better angle in order to see the lower end of the steering column with the lower bearing and spring, it might help. Also, do you have an early built 67 or one that is March or later?

Jim

[Dereck S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Jim,
Good idea regarding moving the clamp up towards the column. I'll give it a go and take a photo. Unfortunately, I'm traveling on business and won't be able to access the car for a while. Attached is a photo of a tele column on a car at the recent Tennessee show. It clearly has more of the end of the shaft evident. In order to achieve the distance shown the end of my column would have to be much closer to the firewall. Something just isn't right.

[Dereck S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

I forgot to mention that my car is a September 66 build. However, the original tank sheet does not list the telescopic steering option. It still feels like I have a hybrid of some sort. Could parts from a 66 or 68 be used creatively to put one in a 67? Everything in the upper column inside the car seam correct including parts under the dash. I'll also photograph these parts when I can.

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

I thought they were both late design columns. (Feb 67) What date is on the bottom of the hub on the interior section?

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

You really can't interchange a 1968 telescoping (or standard) column with a 1967. The main mounting brackets on both columns are welded in place. But the third mounting capsules are on opposite sides from one year to the other. Also the 1968 column as the toe pan plate welded to the column. The 1967 toe pan plate clamps in place.

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Here is the steering column build date information.



Jim

[Ray G.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Hello Jim Shea;

Great drawing. Copied to my NCRS desk top file.

Any chance of making the numbers more readable?

Thanks.
Ray

[Dale S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Jim, me too. Old eyes wont read it. Dale

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

The print from microfilm wasn't that clear.
Here is what it said;

Mfg Date Code to be stamped
on cover at final assembly
with 3/32 high characters
in this approximate area
000 0 0

Code 000 = Day of Year (001 thru 365) Must be three digit number)
Code 0 = Shift designation (A, B, or C)
Code 0 = Last digit of year (7 for 1967 etc)
This is the coding for the standard (non-adjustable) Corvette column.

Interestingly, the telescoping column drawing does not have a callout for the shift. 000 0

[Dale S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Jim, My steering column is 037 space 7. The car was built March 30th . It is on the side near the emergency flasher slot. Others? Dale

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Dereck,
There is a big difference between the location of the clamp in your thumbnail posted on April 5 compared to the one yesterday.

The one yesterday seems to have a clamp that is 2 1/2 inches up from the steering column flange.

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 Telescopic column

Dale,
Your 1967 Telescoping Column small block.
I scaled your picture 108 0801 and I get a dimension that is pretty close to the engineering drawing.


Scaling the engineering drawing for 7803280 (1967 Late) I come up with 5.25 inches from the face of the bearing retainer to the beginning of the serrations leading into the steering column flange.

Doing the best I can with scaling your picture, I get 5.45 inches.

So I would loosen the clamp, slide the plastic bushing up the steering shaft and try to compress the spring as much as possible. Then tighten the bolt and nut to 22 ft-lbs.

The spec says to compress the spring to solid height. Then back the clamp and spacer back 0.020 to 0.060 inches from solid.

Jim