purchased the FR30102BK for my 71 El Cam, (it's a tilt, keyed, and shift + black power coat), excited and anxious to install. Will post again when I getter done:)

You should have also purchased the FR20300 to make the column mount under the dash work also. Let us know how the install goes.

(I grew up in Medina, OH so I'm real excited to put this column in my El Cam)

Last weekend. I cleaned up and painted all the stock stuff I was using. Also painted the FR20300 stramp clamp. (gloss black) Did a test fit on the bench with the stock steering shaft and the new column. The shaft didn't fit on the column! Did I have the right stuff? I called the tech line last week and the gent was very helpful. He gave me several suggestions and possible avenues.

Got the column installed today, and I mean all day. :) Could have used an extra set of hands as usual. On the bench I ended up spreading out the female portion of the connection on the stock steering shaft and smacked er a couple of times onto the FR column ouput. perfect fit. (used a caliper ahead of time the FR column was 0.010 larger than the old GM column) Had to grind the keyway on the output shaft for the stock clamp and bolt assembly. Also, had to spread out the stock clamp on the vise in order for the clamp to pass back over the shaft. Then squeezed er (the clamp) down with the monster channel locks. Taped off the the column and did some touch up painting around the upper portion of the steering shaft.

In order for the bottom of the shaft to bolt up to the rag joint. I had to unbolt the stock upper control arms and the delphi gear box. This is because of the headers being so close to the frame (I have 2 inch primarys). Meanwhile I had the column assembly temporarily supported by zip ties from the master cylinder and firewall support! :)

I moved to the firewall plate next. That went sweet; took about ten minutes. The plate fits the outside diameter of the FR column perfectly.

I had a tough time getting the FR20300 Stramp clamp to line up with the stock bracket. I had the stock bracket upside down at first, flipped it. Then I eventually figured out that the stramp clamp fits better if I flipped it around the right way too?? I guess the holes were just barely offset and I didn't notice that. The 1/8 set screws for the rubber bushing also gave me difficulty if I over torqued them. The Stramp clamp would start to work its way down off of the column when torqued down the set screws. I eventually just left them a little loose by my standard. Just above flush with the outside edge of the stramp clamp.

Tomorrow I will route the wires and so on. I feel Flaming River has a very high quality product, and so far I'm proud to have their column in my car. :) time for a cold one!!!!