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markm
10-28-2012, 05:42 PM
Has anyone ever seen shims between frame and steering box. I am in the middle of the PS conversion from Hell, the column shortening kit foom CPP is crap.

Rick_L
10-28-2012, 08:06 PM
Yes but not on a 55-57. Not that they didn't have them because I think they did. They were on my 67 Nova, which has essentiallly the same setup you're trying to solve. With 3 places to put shims, seems there are lots of possibilities for getting it right.

Maddog
10-28-2012, 08:19 PM
I've used shims to get the box to line up with the columm on 55/57's

markm
10-29-2012, 08:46 AM
I've used shims to get the box to line up with the columm on 55/57's

I am remembering now this car had shims with OEM box when we took bidy off frame 20 years ago, I had owned it almost 20 years at that time.

chevynut
10-29-2012, 09:01 AM
Since tolerances on these cars sucked so bad, they used shims and slotted holes in lots of places.

Maddog
10-29-2012, 10:53 AM
if you look real close at the 3 mounting holes on the frame, they're not on the same plane. a very slight curvature is there on the side of the frame, almost demands shims. I noticed this years ago mounting a 605 with a flat steel plate. The orig gearbox has slightly raised mounting pads at each hole.

markm
10-29-2012, 11:26 AM
This job has really sucked, I am surprised more people cannot relate, It makes the switch from Th350 to 700R4 and 12 Bolt to 57 Olds 9.3 look like walks in the park

Maddog
10-29-2012, 02:14 PM
If you're talking about modifing a stock columm, not that bad if you got the right tube, shortened correctly which could be a crap shoot with CPP

markm
10-30-2012, 05:50 AM
I am attempting to use the kit CPP sells with the new column and shift tube, THe stock shift coller had to be filed to fit, it does not have a hole for alignment tang on lower mount, wires come out in wrong local,has holes you dont need, pretty much a piece of ill fitting crap.

Maddog
10-30-2012, 07:01 AM
I am attempting to use the kit CPP sells with the new column and shift tube, THe stock shift coller had to be filed to fit, it does not have a hole for alignment tang on lower mount, wires come out in wrong local,has holes you dont need, pretty much a piece of ill fitting crap.


They probably sent a sample to China to copy and tried to make a fit all replacement. Typical CPP stuff.

markm
10-30-2012, 03:42 PM
The underhood stuff is done I even had to replace the fan,and modify the shroud. Reakky getting tired of this one, back on column install tonight.

markm
11-15-2012, 04:31 PM
I get my front end aligned tomorrow, it drives ok now but the 56 BA school bus steering wheel has got to go. Do you think a 59 Impala is small enuogh. Stodk Serria Gold Adobe Beige interior with padded dash, so it has to be somewhat era correct.

Rick_L
11-15-2012, 05:01 PM
I like the Impala wheel, but it's only 1" or 1-1/2" smaller than the stocker.

Trifiver
11-15-2012, 05:14 PM
I have trucks (K blazers), so this might not apply; on my '78 I swapped out the original 17" steering wheel for one a 69' 15" NK1 Camero wheel. If you're looking for a smaller wheel than that you might want to look at the 60's Vette wheels, they were 14 1/4 [ They didn't match to the '78 K column :( ]

markm
11-16-2012, 06:53 AM
Rick I am going to try an Impala wheel but I am afraid you are right.


Trifiver, my 72 pickup & Blazer have late 70s Camaro wheels, my 87 GMCs have early 90s truck wheels, both look and drive nice.


I will have to keep the Vette thing in mind.

chevynut
11-16-2012, 08:28 AM
They do make a smaller repop version of the stock tri5 steering wheel, I believe.

chevynut
11-16-2012, 08:43 AM
Here's that smaller steering wheel.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CLASSIC-ANTIQUE-CAR-CHEVY-STEERING-WHEEL-RETRO-CHEVROLET-BELAIR-1955-1956-/400301446676?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessorie s&vxp=mtr&hash=item5d33d35614




http://static.zoovy.com/img/andreasinc/W400-H300-Bffffff/R/55_wh_2001_1.jpg (http://static.zoovy.com/img/andreasinc/-/R/55_wh_2001_1.jpg)


I've also heard of guys cutting their stock ones down.

I'm going with a Colorado Custom one that I feel still has the "classic" looks (that's what they call it) but with updated styling. It's 14" but I wish it was 15" instead.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL97/465705/840294/88621716.jpg

markm
11-16-2012, 02:45 PM
That picture does not look bad, I have seen some at shows that looked funny. I would like to see one in person.

markm
11-21-2012, 07:28 PM
The UPS man just delivered a new repo 59 Impala steering wheel not that much smaller but I will give it a shot.