Tilt steering column from a 83 Chevy Van??

[57chev2dr]

I had a 83 Chevy camper van given to me last month,60,000 original kms.on the 350 350 turbo. I removed it,steamed it off and bolted in my 57 150. bought side motor mounts and built a rear tranny mount myself. OEM steering is alright,BUT like a tilt wheel,this 83 Van has a tilt with no ignition .its 4 inches longer than the 57s. the connector looks same as the 57s shaft coming from the OEM box.has anyone done this.. I know ,buy a Idiot steering column and do it right. I am building this car on a budget. its all rusted out,and someone had a straight 8 in it,took a cutting torch to the firewall to get that in.WHY,i dont know.my son is a licenced Auto body Tech says to remove body and start frame up with everything new.Yea,right,.but got laid off and no income now.just killing time in my 16 by 20 70 yr old garage with no insulation and no heat..sorry for rambling,, I sold a 40 by 60 fully insulated and heated shop last yr , forced to clean up my gas station I had last 14 yrs.Then sold it for less than I owe on it.go figure,between the real estate guy,my lawyer and the mortgage company,I got shorted $20,000.00 that was my 57 restoration money..WAS...

[mike56]

I'm in the same boat. I have almost the same situation that you do. I have a 56 210 and I have a chevy van that runs really well. I plan on using the 350/350 for power, the tilt wheel for steering, the brake booster and master cylinder for braking power. My car has a camaro front clip so the motor and trans swap is ready. Also, with disc brakes and proportioning valve I believe the brake booster and master cylinder will work. My only obstacle was the length of the steering shaft, and I was hoping I could shorten it. Anyway, I have the same idea about the van for a donor. Good luck with it and if you get to it before I do let me know how it goes. I'll do the same for you. Thanks, mike

[jeffs57]

I have an early 80's van column I plan on using as well. From what I have read the IDIDIT columns are modeled after the same column. Someone sent me an old article with instructions on how to convert the column and install it in a Tri-5. I think it is on my home computer or laptop and I will look for it and post a link to it here, but it may be a couple of days before I get a chance to upload it.
If I remember correctly the big change was just shortening the column's outer tube and center shaft and then reinstalling the end bearing and retainer.
Here is a link to the disassembly and assembly instructions for the van column:

http://www.jeffcummings.com/57chevy/vancolumn1.doc

http://www.jeffcummings.com/57chevy/vancolumn2.pdf

The first link is to a Microsoft Word Document that is little over 1Meg, the second link is the same file as a PDF but it is about 8meg.

Jeff

[chevman57]

This swap has been done a lot. Mikeky55 here has one of them in his 55. I think it is not too difficult to achieve. Cut off the column the amount needed, add a rag joint to the steering box and bolt it up. I have one sitting in storage for a later update to mine.
Terry

[MikeKy55]

Guys, I have a tech article on it and will scan it for the library tonight or tomorrow. We have permission from CCI aka Eklers. It's from their tech book.

[mike56]

Thanks guys, Once again I see you are on the ball. I hope to have pictures of this swap within the month, but you can rest assured that I will have a much easier time of it with the help of the trifive gang.


thanks again, mike

[57chev2dr]

Thanks guys,,my sons both think Im nuts for wanting to actaully drive this rust bucket before I fix the body,, I v been waiting 25 yrs to DRIVE this,,can cut and weld rust with motor in it,did it for yrs for customers,,bad part is the big frigging hole in firewall some MORON made for the straight 8..

HEY, I need a frt seat,,anyone close to me in Alberta on here??know of one.have a set of S-10 buckets now,,,not good for necking!!!!!!! yea right,necking in a 57 at 53 yrs old...sounds good to me..!!!!

[MikeKy55]

Here's the tech article on van column conversion. It's also in the library.


http://www.trifive.com:80/eklers/eklers-articles.htm

[swinguy55]

Hey, im just curious, are there any junkyard columns that dont have a shifter on them. Im converting to a B&M floor shifter and really dont need the column shifter.

[chevman57]

That may be possible but the nice thing about the van column is the ignition switch is in the dash so you don`t have to contend with the extra switch. The shifter boss can be eliminated in the column and filled, then paint. That is what i did to my original column over 20 years ago.
Terry

[swinguy55]

THANKS!

[little bit]

Here's the tech article on van column conversion. It's also in the library.


http://www.trifive.com:80/eklers/eklers-articles.htm

[little bit]

I'm trying to install 350 turbo in my 56chevy does anyone have a automati steering column or can I use a1980-1985 van steering column and still be able to keep the shifter on the collumn thanks PAT

[little bit]

I'm trying to install 350 turbo in my 56chevy does anyone have a automati steering column or can I use a1980-1985 van steering column and still be able to keep the shifter on the collumn thanks PAT

[MikeKy55]

That info on the conversion allows for the column shift. Here's a clearer picture of the lever I modified on mine.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL463/2783628/6018279/282011273.jpg