Steering column help

[thejunkman]

My 67 2wd was originally set up with manual steering, And a 3sp column shifter. I now have a floor shifter, and whoever did the swap cut the shifter off the column and left all the linkage. I need to rebuild the column, but after looking through the tech section, it's still unclear to me if they ever made a floor shift manual steering option. Every thing I find regarding floor shift trucks says with p/s. anyone know what column I should be looking for? If I find the right donor truck with everything I need I may convert to p/s, but I'm trying to keep this bare bones budget. If I'm gonna rebuild the column I'd rather rebuild one that's legit, and not all hacked up.

[Art]

I have seen trucks factory equipped with a 4 speed transmission (floor shift) and manual steering.

I have also built those steering columns out of the appropriate parts salvaged from other columns when doing transmission swaps.

It can be done.

Easiest way is to get a floor shift column and put your manual steering shaft into it.

The tech article here shows good details:

http://www.fordification.com/tech/steering-column.htm

Art

[thejunkman]

That's a good idea. I didn't even think of putting my manual shaft into a column with p/s.

[sargentrs]

Look for a factory floor shift or 4wd floor shift truck. Those columns came with a smooth collar and no cutout or levers on the bottom of the column.

[thejunkman]

So after removing the column, I found out what a hack job it really was. It appears someone welded a deep groove ball bearing on the end of the column housing. Said bearing completely rusted solid and locked up. The shaft looks like it has some sort of sleeve between it and the inner race, however the shaft was rotating inside the sleeve and race. This would explain why I had such a hard time steering this truck . I have to tear the column down and inspect the shaft, but it can't be good, as there is every bit of .100" slop In the shaft side to side. Anyway, check it out.

[sargentrs]

That sleeve is the lower bearing retainer. It's purpose is to center the shaft in the lower bearing's inner race. Hope you're shaft isn't too bad.

[thejunkman]

Well this isn't the stock setup right? I haven't seen any diagrams or pics showing this big ball bearing being welded on. I read your thread on rebuilding your column and it looked entirely different.

[sargentrs]

No, that's most certainly not stock. I'd call that hacktermarket.

[thejunkman]

Haha, thanks for the sanity check. Nice write-up by the way. It's been helpful for my steering column quest.

[sargentrs]

Glad you found it useful. If you can get that bearing thing cut off without too much damage, your column may be repairable. If not, scavenge what you can. People on here may need your parts. Steering shaft, tube flange, shifter and levers are hard to come by.

[thejunkman]

Ok so here's a question... I may be able to get my hands on an automatic, p/s column, from a donor truck I'm going to try to buy. (That is for another thread,) it should also be pointed out that it is an f250 camper special. Question is can I use the p/s setup, and the column, of course removing linkage and replacing the upper shift collar flange thing-a-ma-do, with a floor shift style? The donor truck would be a 69' if that matters. I'm kinda hard up for a column, none around me... And if I can make it work from this donor, there's a ton of other good parts to be used or sold.

[sargentrs]

As long as you take everything, it will work. If the engine's are from different families you may need brackets for the p/s pump. If the F250 is a 4wd, you may have other issues and I think the gear boxes are different. As long as it's 2wd you should be good to go. Take everything from behind the steering wheel to the p/s pump, including brackets. Don't forget the firewall bracket inside the engine compartment and the power steering hoses, too.

[thejunkman]

Alright tanks sarge! That's what I was hoping, it is indeed 2wd. Now to convince the wife I need to buy the truck haha.