Hi, IŽve been thinking about swapping my 71 steering column to a late style one with dimmer, turn and wiper at the column, and since the only ones available in Venezuela are 79-82 Montecarlo floorshift ones, I would like to have your opinions about the matter. Thanks a lot for the replies!

I did some research on steering columns in the Chevelles and Novas and all will interchange with very little changing. Overall length is the same for most of the GM line from the 69 model up into the mid 80's; the floorplate (where it bolts to the firewall) is different and after 79 some had a D shaped shaft instead of the splines like your 71. If so also take the intermediate shaft to use in the upgrade.
I have installed an 82 Eldorado tilt/telescopic in my 77 Nova with only those 2 changes. I wanted the column mounted dimmer switch because I am running a manual transmission and sometimes when stopped the need arises to change the brightness of the headlamps. Plus the telescopic feature is real cool :)

Thanks Phil! IŽll take a look at some steering columns when in the junkyards, with the ChevelleŽs column in the hand, to compare them. IŽve thought about this solution since some time ago and IŽm curious about it. IŽll post some pictures and results of the searching. Thanks again!

Jim Shea posted some helpfull info here.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255241