School me on a-body steering columns please
1970 was a unique year
1970 was the first year steering columns had a steering wheel lock. 69 and back had the ignition key switch mounted on the dash and did not have a steering wheel lock, but in 70 the ignition switch was moved to the column with a steering wheel lock. The idea was to increase security, because with the steering wheel locked and a more secure ignition lock on the column, that was supposedly harder to break into, the car was more secure against theft, and against children playing and accidently putting the car in gear.
70-76 COLUMN SHIFT AUTOMATIC columns are basically the same except 73-6 the tube design changed, however they can interchange. The wiring may vary year to year.
On FLOOR SHIFT columns there is a very big difference and this is where 70 is unique. 71-6 have a key release lever with a decal on it (see pic) the idea of this was so the operator did not turn the key off and lock the steering wheel while the car was still in motion. Some people have a habit of switching the car off and killing the engine as they coast into the driveway or parking spot. This was not a good idea with a steering wheel lock because as long as the car is in motion the steering wheel should remain unlocked and in control of the vehicle.
70 only floor shift columns did not have the key release lever but rather had linkage on the bottom of the column that resembled colomn shift auto linkage.
They had interlock linkage so the key could not be removed until the car was in first gear or in "P" on auto console cars which assumes it was parked in either case. This linkage was a poor idea which is why it was one year only. The linkage was bulky and often hot rodders would get rid of it with header installs. The linkage did prevent the car from being taken out of first gear or "P" (console cars) without a key but proved to have too many moving parts which is why it was greatly simplified in 71+
1970 was a unique year
1970 was the first year steering columns had a steering wheel lock. 69 and back had the ignition key switch mounted on the dash and did not have a steering wheel lock, but in 70 the ignition switch was moved to the column with a steering wheel lock. The idea was to increase security, because with the steering wheel locked and a more secure ignition lock on the column, that was supposedly harder to break into, the car was more secure against theft, and against children playing and accidently putting the car in gear.
70-76 COLUMN SHIFT AUTOMATIC columns are basically the same except 73-6 the tube design changed, however they can interchange. The wiring may vary year to year.
On FLOOR SHIFT columns there is a very big difference and this is where 70 is unique. 71-6 have a key release lever with a decal on it (see pic) the idea of this was so the operator did not turn the key off and lock the steering wheel while the car was still in motion. Some people have a habit of switching the car off and killing the engine as they coast into the driveway or parking spot. This was not a good idea with a steering wheel lock because as long as the car is in motion the steering wheel should remain unlocked and in control of the vehicle.
70 only floor shift columns did not have the key release lever but rather had linkage on the bottom of the column that resembled colomn shift auto linkage.
They had interlock linkage so the key could not be removed until the car was in first gear or in "P" on auto console cars which assumes it was parked in either case. This linkage was a poor idea which is why it was one year only. The linkage was bulky and often hot rodders would get rid of it with header installs. The linkage did prevent the car from being taken out of first gear or "P" (console cars) without a key but proved to have too many moving parts which is why it was greatly simplified in 71+
