67 Dart - Converting Steering Column to manual?

[BT67Dart]

I am rebuilding my 67 Dart, currently has automatic steering column. I plan to change the car to a floor shift instead. I have read thru a number of threads where people are modifying the column to a manual (cutting/bondo, etc.) , but found conversion kit that makes that easier (Collar Conversion Kit). However, the kit states it is for 68-69 cars. Does anybody know if the 67 column parts will interchange with 68-69 cars? That would mean I can use the kit for my car. Otherwise, I will need to find a manual steering column that mates with manual steering (my car had PS).

 

[Dana67Dart]

The columns are different 67 to 68/69.

You can take an entire 68/69 column and use it in a 67 and visa versa. many of the parts are not interchangable internally.

Biggest difference is the OD of the column is larger in 67 so the bushings etc don't fit.

You will also have to relocate the backup light switch to the console. It's a different switch and should be part of the console harness


67 floor shift on the left
68 column shift on the right

Steering wheel end
67 floor shift on the left
68 column shift on the right

Bottom end

Top end
68 tube fits inside the 67 tube

Bottom end
68 tube fits inside the 67 tube

 

[RBConvert]

(Collar Conversion

The link isn't loading for me. (I know I cut part of it off on the reply).

 

[BT67Dart]

I was wondering about the incompatibility between years, that confirmed it. Reverse switch is not a problem, I can address that.

The link isn't loading for me. (I know I cut part of it off on the reply).

Fixed and tested the link, should be ok now. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Dana67Dart]

therwise, I will need to find a manual steering column that mates with manual steering (my car had PS).

just to be clear.

You currently have a 67 power steering car with automatic column shift.

you want to change to 67 manual steering and console shift.

so at minimum you will need:

1. Manual steering shaft (67-69 are interchangeable) It's longer than the PS shaft and some of its parts are welded together differently
2. Console shift steering column outer tube
3. Console shift collar
4. Console shift inner tube that replaces the shift tube
5. Bearings and bushings as needed

You might be able to piece it all together (I have that setup in pieces right now for my 67 Dart Convert #2, if you need photos or dimensions)

 

[BT67Dart]

just to be clear.

You currently have a 67 power steering car with automatic column shift.

you want to change to 67 manual steering and console shift.

so at minimum you will need:

1. Manual steering shaft (67-69 are interchangeable) It's longer than the PS shaft and some of its parts are welded together differently
2. Console shift steering column outer tube
3. Console shift collar
4. Console shift inner tube that replaces the shift tube
5. Bearings and bushings as needed

You might be able to piece it all together (I have that setup in pieces right now for my 67 Dart Convert #2, if you need photos or dimensions)

Thanks for the clarity. How long did it take you to piece together all the parts? In a perfect world, I would like to find a complete console shift steering column for manual PS, but that may be asking a lot these days. Those pickings may be gone..... I might take you up on the photos aspect pending what I decide to do......

 

[dano]

Thanks for the clarity. How long did it take you to piece together all the parts? In a perfect world, I would like to find a complete console shift steering column for manual PS, but that may be asking a lot these days. Those pickings may be gone..... I might take you up on the photos aspect pending what I decide to do......

You can always pay a lot for a Flaming River drop in tilt Column.

 

[BT67Dart]

You can always pay a lot for a Flaming River drop in tilt Column.

Looked them up, $1000, Wow! Not in my budget for sure.

 

[Dana67Dart]

How long did it take you to piece together all the parts?

Not long. My dart #2 was a console shift PS car and I converted it to Manual. a buddy was parting out a manual steering 68 Barracuda column shift car so I got the full column and the gear. I removed the steering shaft from the 67 PS column and the same from the 68 Manual steering column and will just do a shaft swap. But in the mean time the column is apart and wont go back together till I get a bunch of parts painted. you might be surprised at what you can find here with a wanted ad!

 

[Dana67Dart]

drop in

is a "Drop In" column like a "Painless" wiring kit

 

[BT67Dart]

Not long. My dart #2 was a console shift PS car and I converted it to Manual. a buddy was parting out a manual steering 68 Barracuda column shift car so I got the full column and the gear. I removed the steering shaft from the 67 PS column and the same from the 68 Manual steering column and will just do a shaft swap. But in the mean time the column is apart and wont go back together till I get a bunch of parts painted. you might be surprised at what you can find here with a wanted ad!

You had a better starting point than I with a floor shift column. Picture below shows a gap between the outer tube and lower column collar for my setup. Can you measure the inside diameter at the bottom from the 68 lower column collar? That might give me an idea of the after market column parts would fit. Worst case maybe open it up for the wiring harness cover.

Intent was to swap to Manual steering with the aftermarket shaft adapter for the added length.....unless I can get a manual shaft.

 

[Dana67Dart]

My 67 Floor shift collar and my 68 column shift collar have the same bottom ID 2.88"

BUT there are differences
67 floor shift on left

67 is about 0.265 taller

 

[BT67Dart]

Thanks for the measurement and the images. At least the collar ID is the same. However the increase in height makes me wonder if the attachment point of the floor shift collar to the Inner tube would be the same between a 67 column shift and 68 floor shift steering column.....might have to buy the aftermarket parts and just compare and see if it will work or not.....

 

[2xabody]

Firm feel inc makes an adapter

 

[2xabody]

Progress

 

[2xabody]

Progress

 

[BT67Dart]

Firm feel inc makes an adapter

Saw those, mancini racing has one two. No idea how well they work.

Nice looking car pics!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Saw those, mancini racing has one two. No idea how well they work

The adapter from ps to manual is just an extension. It is splined for the coupler and the other end is splined for the steering gear

 

[2xabody]

have one on my dart works great

 

[dano]

is a "Drop In" column like a "Painless" wiring kit

Actually, the one I bought did and it was for a B-Body as they didn't have a drop in A-body one at the time. All I had to is cut down the D Shaft. Other than that all the wiring adapters, floor plate and factory mount it dropped it. I love it, downside is you need a GM steering wheel or adapter to an aftermarket.

But I hear what your saying, most of this stuff is anything but painless at times.

 

[BT67Dart]

Older cars are always a challenge, somewhat of a hair loss program at times!

I did find a link to a thread from a guy that swapped the upper collars from 68 floor shift steering column to a 67 column shift steering column. That makes me think the aftermarket 68-69 floor shift collars will work on a 67 column shift steering column.

 

[Dana67Dart]

. I love it, downside is you need a GM steering wheel or adapter to an aftermarket

And there it is.....




It is "painless", "ez" "drop in" as long as it's going into a Chevy!

 

[Dana67Dart]

I did find a link to a thread from a guy that swapped the upper collars from 68 floor shift steering column to a 67 column shift steering column. That makes me think the aftermarket 68-69 floor shift collars will work on a 67 column shift steering column

When I get home I'll dig out all the column shift parts and lay them out so you can see what parts you would need to buy / fab.

 

[BT67Dart]

Older cars are always a challenge, somewhat of a hair loss program at times!

I did find a link to a thread from a guy that swapped the upper collars from 68 floor shift steering column to a 67 column shift steering column. That makes me think the aftermarket 68-69 floor shift collars will work on a 67 column shift steering column.

Re-read the link, the year of the column shift steering column is not specified. He started with a 67, then said he moved on to a different one. Having looked at the bearing housing bolt holes that attach to the column jacket for both 67 and 68, it does not look like the swap will work. Since the tubes are at different diameters, the pinch point for the tubes in the bearing housing is likely different. Bummer.....

 

[matthon]

Don't bother with the 67 column, been there.

Call Norm's Speed Shop and get a redone bolt in 68 column.

I did it and have no regrets.