I have a 1970 Chevelle; factory column-shifted automatic.

I just picked up a '71 Chevelle tilt column (also column-shifted).

I have a repro floor shifter, with harnesses and switch (both Neutral/Reverse light in same switch?)

Does there NEED to be "linkage" to the column? My guess would be ONLY for the "locking steering wheel"...

Will my current column-shift linkage be the same as the "floor-shifted backdrive" linkage?


Can I disable the steering "lock" mechanism? Leave the lock plate off, or remove the "pin"?


I'd leave the "lock" mechanism in place (without the linkage), EXCEPT I'd be worried that if someone else was driving (my wife, etc) and the column twisted and "locked" they'd crash and get hurt (If it happened to me, I'd know to twist the column)... having all '66's previously, I am not worried about the "lock" feature...


Any probelms with cutting off the shift handle "knub/bump" and smoothing the column after converting to floor shift...

Thanks

Check out this link. It has a lot of info on what you are thinking about doing. I just rebuilt the steering column and used alot of Jim Shea's info doing it. I plan on reinstalling the backdrive system when I put mine back together and I have a console shift car.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/StrgColumnTransInterlockSystems.doc

Check out this link. It has a lot of info on what you are thinking about doing. I just rebuilt the steering column and used alot of Jim Shea's info doing it. I plan on reinstalling the backdrive system when I put mine back together and I have a console shift car.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/StrgColumnTransInterlockSystems.doc

Thanks for that link...

I searched and found several other "column" papers by JimL82, but I didn't see that one...


Can someone verify that the "wheel lock" ONLY occurs with the key in the OFF position... No matter where the column is rotated... And the column rotation ONLY prevents the key from turning to "Off" and being removed?