3 Speed Column shifter problem(s)

[mastiffkevin]

I don't know if you all have read my posting in the project update section but this is a continuation of the shifter problem.... The truck only has first and reverse... I pulled the steering column today to see what was wrong with it. First of all, I noticed that the steering wheel was up off the Shift collar about 1/2" which i thought was strange. and you could take the steering wheel and move it side to side quite a bit as well as pull it out and you could feel it pulling on the rag coupling. I could tell that the steering wheel had been off before, so i thought perhaps it wasn't all the way seated or something like that. The wheel is also green and my interior is black, so i thought maybe it could also be a different year wheel... Anyway, i began disassembling the column and found all sorts of carnage! LOL I had to beat the shift collar off the shift tube with a brass hammer and of course the tang came off separately! The steering shaft also has wear EXACTLY the same as in fig. 17 of the manual 3 speed column explored article here. I also noticed that after I had the shift collar off the main tube, it is cracked, and it has green metalflake paint overspray on it. my truck is white, and always has been according to the door tag. So my best guess is I have a column that was pieced together from a couple of different columns. My question is this, Should I just scrap this column and look for a new one? I was going to totally rebuild this one and I have a guy I work with who is an artist with the heli-arc welder and i know he could fix that crack in the main tube, but now i'm not even sure if that tube is the right year and i may order all the wrong parts! I want a column shift, so putting in a floor shifter is not an option for me.

[FORDification]

It's up to you. Virtually all the parts are available to rebuild your present column, and if you have someone lined up to weld the housing crack, then I don't see why you couldn't rebuild it. Buying another used one could be the same thing...it could also need rebuilding. If you can find a good used one, by all means get it, and use your present column for spare parts.

[mastiffkevin]

Thanks Keith! I am thinking that I should just get a better column and rebuild it. as you said, I can use this one for spare parts, not that there's much usable! Looking at the schematic you have posted, it was missing some key parts when the PO put it together. Most importantly, I never found any bearings at all!! The steering shaft just went from the rag coupling to the wheel with nothing to hold it other than the shift tube!

[fordman]

do you have power steering or manual steering.

[mastiffkevin]

I currently have a manual steering, but I am also looking for parts to convert it to power steering and front disc brakes. So I guess I should look around for a few columns since I will have to shorten it!

[sargentrs]

I'm in the process of rebuilding mine right now. Bought, virtually, all the parts to rebuild it for under $100. Most of 'em new from DC, NPD and Carolina Classics. What I couldn't get new, I got here on the site from other members. Thanks, guys! I say, do it yourself, it's rewarding!