I am looking for a floor shift Steering column for a 66. What mods need to be done to intall a tilt column from a 67. I bought a column that a guy said was from a 66 El Camino but it is a tilt column with a collapsible shaft, it also has factory cruise? Any help and how else can you tell the difference when looking for a column.

67 is a collapsible column. I believe this will require a different under dash bracket that brake and clutch pedals hang from.

67 is a collapsible column. I believe this will require a different under dash bracket that brake and clutch pedals hang from.
yes it will plus a 67 metal dash.

glamiss44,

I'm sure a 67 column will not fit a 66 dash, as the 67 I believe is somewhat larger due to it being colapsable!


Rocky

The 1967 Chevelle column will not fit the dash in earlier Chevelles. Also, the 1967 and 1968 columns are the first generation energy absorbing steering columns and are very weak in bending. That is why they have a very large, mounting bracket with three or four mounting points under the dash to help stiffen the whole thing up.

JIML82

I can also vouch that the two columns are different. I had an accident recently in my 67 and the steering column is collapsed. Looked at a 66 Elky and it is different.

BTW, is there any way to fix a collapsed steering column?

Have you thought of going with an Ididit or Flaming River column?

There is no way to fix a GM energy absorbing steering column that has entirely collapsed. By entirely I mean that the steering shaft, shift tube, and the outside tube section have all telescoped on each other.

If the outside tube section (called the jacket) is telescoped it cannot be returned to its original length. The jacket (1967 and 68 had a mesh section that bends on itself.

The 1969 and later jackets were in two pieces that had ball bearings that plowed grooves in the upper and lower tubes). This part actually absorbs energy.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/JIML82/BallEnergyAbsorbingJacket.jpg

If the outside jacket is telescoped, then the shift tube (which is assembled in two pieces) is also telescoped and cannot be returned to its original length.

The part that can be salvaged is the steering shaft. Even though the steering shaft may be telescoped, it is designed with a very safe overlapping section between the upper solid shaft and the hollow tubular lower shaft. It can be re-extended to its original length.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/JIML82/JacketShiftTubeInjection1-1.jpg
Some minor accidents or steering column damage can just telescope the steering shaft without telescoping the jacket or shift tube. Then you can just re-extend the steering shaft. You can check the mounting bracket capsules. If the mounting bracket has moved relative to the capsules, then the jacket and shift tube had to have moved as well.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/JIML82/CapsuleBracketInjection1.jpg
The above postings are correct, you cannot reasonably install a 1967 or later energy absorbing steering column into a 1966 or earlier GM vehicle.

JIML82

Did they have factory cruise in 1967?

Will, You talked to me regarding the tilt column issue. I have not been able to contact my friend who rebuilds columns but I do know he can help you with a '66 column. As others have said, the '67 column will not bolt in the '66 dash. If I'm not mistaken, your column is NOT actually a Chevelle unit. Your description led me to believe it was out of another '67 A-Body (Skylark, Cutlass or Lemans).
Not to hijack the thread but to answer the question regarding factory cruise control in '67. Yes it was an option. I have it on my '67 wagon.