I've got my Floorshift column out of a Monte Carlo, and it looks to be the correct year (I didn't personally remove it from the vehicle at the "U-Pick-It", but whoever did labeled it).

The only thing wrong with it is the upper collar with the key switch is bunged up around the signal lever opening.

My first question is this "How easy/difficult is it to swap these 2 pieces, ie - take the good collar off my current column and put it on my "new" column"?

Background info for second question: The "new" (floorshift) column still has the ignition key in it, but it is stuck in the run position. I haven't attempted to remove the ignition switch from the lower column (as in frozen up switch). My second question is, "if the tumbler mechanism is the problem, how easy/difficult is it to remove so I can put my old tumbler in (so I can use my original key)"?

I have done it and I don't beleive it was hard to do at all. This of course you have the tools for the job. The only thing I don't know if your 2 columns would interchange with one being column shift and the other floor shift.

Here are some answers to some of your questions. First of all, I assume that you are replacing your old steering column with one of the same type. That is if your original column was a tilt column, the replacement floor shift column was also a tilt. Or if your original was a standard (non-adjustable) column, so is the replacement. All tilt columns had a lot of standardized parts. All standard columns had standard parts. There were very few parts that interchanged between tilt and standard columns.

The upper lock housing should be interchangeable between column shift and floor shift columns.

The ignition switch on top of the column jacket (down under the dash) is unique for tilt columns and a different one for standard columns.

The lock cylinder is the same for all steering columns. It is one of the few standard parts between all columns.

Removing and replacing the lock cylinder is quite easy. Replacing the lock housing is a bit more complicated because you have to pull the entire turn signal switch out of the column in order to remove the lock housing.

The good news is that I have written complete instructions on how to disassemble either a standard or a tilt steering column. I suggest going to www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp (http://www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp) and downloading either the standard or the tilt column papers:

Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Paper #1
Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Paper #2
Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Pic #1
Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Pic #2
Std Strg Column 69-72 Blowup Pic

or

Tilt Strg Column 69-72 Blowup Pic
Tilt Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Paper #1
Tilt Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Paper #2
Tilt Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Pic #1
Tilt Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly&Repair Pic #2

The only special tool that you may require is the lock plate compressor bridge that will assist you in depressing the lock plate in order to "dig out" the round wire retaining ring. The special tool can usually be borrowed from many automotive parts stores. Or if you have a friend with strong thumbs, you can try working together to get four hands on the job to remove the ring.

Hope this helps.

Jim