65 Cuda Power Steering Box and Coupler Installation Issues

Hi guys,
Just got my power steering box back from Firm Feel. Taken apart my steering coupler, cleaned up and ready to put in my rebuild kit. I am re-using my old, fold over top piece because it is more sturdy and has a bit longer tangs than the replacement part. Also pictured is a new milled aluminum bushing for the steering column that Firm Feel provided . They said it was a new item, so I thought you guys would like to see it. Questions:

• Rebuild kit comes with a very tiny pin. There appears to be a corresponding hole on the steering column. I just don't remember taking that pin out and don't see what its function is going back together. Also a small hole in my coupler just above the shear pin opening. Seems to be solid inside...no pin. What is the point of that hole?
• Is there a proper orientation of the coupler to the steering box when I re-install it? Is there a 12:00 middle position maybe relative to the steering wheel?
• I don't see anything but splines on the box's shaft and inside the coupler. Tried to gently press together, no deal. Should I just tap with a small hammer to get it re-seated?
• Finally, I see you guys recommend taking out the steering shaft to re-seat the coupler and then press back onto the installed PS box. Do I remove the entire steering column or is there a simple way to just pull out the shaft? Steering wheel is already removed.

Thanks Guys!

This is to the best of my recollection. The hole on the steering shaft is a guide hole. Nothing goes through it. The metal dowel pin looking think needs to go back through the steering shaft some where south of the guide hole. Your picture is blurry but it will be obvious where it goes It will need to be pressed in the hole too. Then you assemble from there. I cant figure out what that large bearing thing is , Never seen that on a early a steering column. Normally you put the column seal there, The steering column bearing is higher up where the turn signal cam goes, and is much smaller The smaller hole in the coupler is for a pin used seat the coupler, However you have a bolt that goes through the larger hole to secure the coupler on the steering box shaft ( it seats in the non splined section of the recessed portion of the input shaft that you have pictured). you will need the steering wheel installed to properly line up the coupler to the shaft. The large screw that holds your coupler onto the shaft should be pointing up but towards the driver side. I have installed the coupler onto the shaft then onto the steering box without taking the column out. Of course I dont take out the metal dowel pin cause its a pain to get out and in and usually is in good shape.
Below are some photos and site that explains it better than me!
http://www.barracudarestoration.com/Barracuda_Restoration/Steering_files/droppedImage_5.jpg

http://ccco.s3.amazonaws.com/ep_photos/735/735_steer-coup_low_res.jpg
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/images/ml-houston-coupler8.jpg

Rebuilding a 1964 Plymouth Steering Coupler

That is a great bunch of information! I have had a hard time finding all of the info you put in your response. Thanks so much. I just wrestled the steering column out of the car and broke the turn signal plastic cam to bits.....Oh well, just another thing to fix. Onward and upward! I imagine the turn signal cam is not a hard piece to source. Re-wiring is another issue that you have also begun to address. That big aluminum bearing is the thing I got from firm feel. There's a smaller hard rubber bushing that fills the hole and fits tightly around the column.

@slantsixdan had turn signal assemblies reproduced by the original supplier and they are spot on. I highly recommend them as I’ve bought and used 3 of them. Check with him to see if he has any left as I know they were selling pretty briskly. He might see this post or not as he has pretty much left both this site as well as over at slant6.org. Or contact him at his website - think it is Something like danielstern.com or google it.

Yes you can purchase the turn signal switch, and not very difficult to install, especially with the column out. They are on ebay and I think Classic has them too

Yes, I still have 'em -- the good ones, not the fall-apart Chinese trinkets sold by Classic and Vans and the others. Send me a PM.