This 1968 Chevelle intermediate steering shaft picture is located in the 1968 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual - Page 9-18. Has anyone ever seen the "396 Engine Only" shaft that is shown in the box? It looks as if there are two flexible couplings - one on each end of the I-shaft. One of them must be replacing the pot coupling that is normally on the steering column end.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/JIML82/1968A-CarIntermediateShaft396Option.jpg
I always thought that the special BB (396) shaft was different because it had a detachable flange on the end that attached to the flex coupling on the gear. Because of the close clearance between exhaust manifolds and frame, the bare I-shaft was inserted passed the exhaust manifold and then the detachable flange was assembled to it and attached to the flex coupling on the gear.

The 1968 manual is particularly difficult to figure out. Lower column bearing pictures and descriptions were never updated to match parts that were changed do to the 1967 steering shaft campaign. The above picture only continues to confuse things.

Your input is appreciated.
Jim

Jim, I think that is a drawing of the lower shaft/flex coupling/steering box flange on the bottom of the shaft. The same drawing is on page 9-12 for the manual trans column, and the intermediate shaft is even less clear than the one on page 18.
Could it be that the illustrators copied the old drawings because the updated ones weren't available in time for the new manual to be printed in the summer of 1967?
I think we all agree with your theory on why the big block Chevelles have the bolt-on steering coupler.
I have a GM Canada parts catalogue with a crappy breakdown drawing of a '67/'68 tilt column I can send you if you want it. It's even more confusing than the one in the service manual. :(
If you think the steering info is messed up, check out the incorrect wiring diagram colors. :clonk:
BillL

Bill,
How do you want to send the GM Canada drawing to me. If you need my eMail it is JIML82@aol.com
Thanks in advance,
Jim

Bill,
How do you want to send the GM Canada drawing to me. If you need my eMail it is JIML82@aol.com
Thanks in advance,
Jim

Emailed it to you, sent both the tilt and non-tilt wheel pages. Sent .bmp and .jpeg files, the .bmp's are large files, but with better resolution.
BillL

BillL,
Sorry to say I never received anything. Try just sending the jpg files. Maybe they were too big for aol to handle. Nothing in my spam filter so I don't know what happened.

It sure seems that you had my address correct. Some people have mistaken the L82 for 182 but that doesn't seem to be the case with your eMail.
Jim Shea

BillL,
Thank you for the scans. They are much appreciated.
Jim Shea