Some steering column observations. Keith pls read....

[cdherman]

First, again a big thanks to all the wonderful information here and effort it doubtless took to assemble it.

About a month ago, I grabed a 74 steering column while at a local pick and pull. Just to have and disect.

Today I took it apart and compared to my 65-72 parts (total of 4 columns now that I have collected).

In reading the article about the PS conversion, as well as searching the forums, as couple inconsistencies that I think I might be able to shed a little light on.

First, the lower bracket that holds the column in place at the fire wall changed in 73. Instead of an inner metal flange, to which a rubber boot is stapled, there is a heavier metal flange, around which rubber seems to have been injected. The outside bracket is totally absent. The new style inner bracket is heavier and more stable such that it is the only thing at the fire wall. Now, here is the good news. I compared the earlier inner flange, and the bolt holes in the 73-78 inner flanger are the SAME. Although I had already put my 65 (that got a 71 style inner and outer bracket) back together, I am nearly 100% certain that you can use the 73-78 inner bracket and simply forget about the outer bracket. Ford did, I don't see why we can't.

Also, regarding turn signal switches. You can use a later column in an earlier truck and with some switching of pins, the wiring from the turn signal will work (see how to article). However, the actual turn signal assembly from 65-72 and 73-78 are NOT interchangeable. The srews holding it in place are in a different location.

Additionally, I still don't have a complete answer to the question whether a 61-69 steering wheel will work on a 73-78 column. To get that, I need to pull my steering wheel off of my truck, which I will be doing for paint, in a few weeks. While I have it off, I intend to reassemble the 74 column with the 65 steering wheel and just see what happens......

Finally, not related to the 73- 78 column difference, but certainly of great importance is another observation I made: If you have scrounged a column as I did from a truck whose running condition is unknown, be very careful to inspect the shift arm(s) at the bottom of the column for excessive play. What is excessive you may ask? Beats me, but I clearly have too much. I can wiggle the arm back and forth (clockwise/counterclockwise) about 1/4" at the end where the linkage to the tranny bolts on. That is enough play that I cannot get the linkage adjusted so that PRND21 are correct. I have it working, but I cannot get my tranny into 1. If I adjust it so that I can get into 1, I cannot get it to shift back out to P. Too much play. I assume that the groove in the lower shift arm is worn, and/or the tang on the inner shift column is worn, resulting in the play. I should have noted this -- a good metal shop could have built up the groove in the shift arm for me and tightened it up. But now I have everything, including a new firewall cover in place and taking it all back apart is going to be a huge hassle, so I am just living with PRND2 .......