<VV> 65 Stock Steering to 66 Quick Box/Arms

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/18/2006 6:58:25 AM Pacific Standard Time,  
schwas at roadrunner.com writes:

I  purchased a quick steering box and the arms from a '66 model.
I've been  told the flange pattern at the floor is different.  Any advise
on the  installation procedure?  I have the column, box, coupling, etc.
I  assume I cannot use the original '65 column with the '66
shaft assembly  (don't ask why I think so).  Any coaching will
be  appreciated.

Steve
140 VAIR



Steve - First you need to determine whether you have an early or late 65.  
The factory changed to the 66 design in about May, 1965. So you might have the  
items you need already. First, to assure you, if you got all the 66 stuff from 
 the other car, you will be able to install it in the 65. On the 66 style 
models,  there is a plate attached to the front side of the firewall - opposite 
the side  where the column mounts. It has three captive screws for the column 
flange to  bolt against. It is held in place, during installation, by a screw 
or two,  attaching it to the firewall. If you didn't remove that plate, go back 
and  get it. You should use it for your install. There is a basic difference 
in  the attachment of the 65 design and the 66 design. In 1965, the one-piece 
column  shaft goes right from the steering box to the steering wheel. The 
mounting of  the steering box determiones where the steering wheel ends up. In 
this design,  the column floats over the shaft, and is adjusted to mate with the  
shaft using slots in the column tabs under the face of the dash, and a  
flanged clamp at the firewall. The clamp bolts to the firewall and grasps the  
column via a bolted flange. By loosening this clamp and the bolts under the  dash, 
you can relocate the column up or down a little to maintain the correct  
clearance to the steering wheel, which, when bolted in place is located via the  
steering box. In the 66 design, the factory added a coupling - that's the one 
on  the end of the steering box you just bought - to attach the column to the  
steering box, but allow the upper shaft and column, not fixed together to 
float  to the correct position. The 66 design uses a wflange welded to the column 
at  the firewall. The clamp is gone. At the top, under the dash, the column is 
 restrained by a short U-clamp which retains the column in place. - No tabs  
like on the 65. In the 66 design, the steering wheel is fixed to the column  
shaft, rather than to the box shaft. Again, if you have the later  design, just 
bolt it together. If yours is an early 65, you will have to  change the bolt 
pattern at the firewall to match that of the 66 flange, rather  than the 65 
clamp. It is pretty easy to do, you can use the 66 column as a  template - after 
you have removed all of the 65 stuff. Electrically the columns  are the same, 
just plug and play. For the final install, a second set of hands  to hold the 
firewall plate (which has the retained bolts) in place will make  
installation of the column easier. I prefer to install the column first, then  slide the 
coupler up onto it as the steering box goes in. Getting the seal  and the snap 
ring back in place is one of those "rites of passage" for  working on 
Corvairs. It will be done strictly by feel, unless you head is a lot  smaller than 
mine! Be sure, if you do have to re-drill the firewall, to get  it all sealed up 
well. It is a passage way for water to enter the passenger  compartment and 
soak the rugs, if you drive in heavy rain or through any  standing water. - 
Good luck on the install and be sure to budget the time or  money for a toe-in 
adjustment after yo installa the new arms. - Seth  Emerson