Manual column shaft issue

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4 speedin

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I installed my newly restored column and it came up 3- 3/4 short to center of manual coupling. So obviously mine is a power steering column, Does anyone know the shaft length difference between the two. I'm trying to figure out if my column has collapsed a bit.
I am considering lengthening my shaft because I don't want to use an aftermarket coupler.
This is my first Mopar build so I'm learning every step of the way. Car is a 68 Valiant and column from a 68 Dart FYI.
Any help please
 
See If it might be stuck or its pre- 1967?
Lengthening wouldnt be difficult if you have lot of $ tied up in column.

D.
 
I don't know the exact difference in the 2 shafts but 3&3/4 sounds about right. Look very closely at the shaft. You'll find a pretty weld bead all the way around it where the final piece was put on it. Final piece for manual shaft extends a good 3 inches below this weld.
Collapsing a manual shaft for power steering application limits column collapse in collision. Is this a big deal? Not if you don't have a collision. LOL
Extending the power shaft for manual application is making the assembly weaker. How much overlapping length remains? I don't know. I know aftermarket vendors offer power to manual adapters. Some more expensive than others.
 
Than you guy's for you input! Does anyone have a manual column out of the car so I can get the actual shaft length.
 
Shearing the 4 tiny nylon pins that locate the lower shaft to the upper tube, on mine, just took a moderate tap on a concrete floor. Then you can pull yours out and determine for yourself if the overlap is adequate.
Oh yeah, mark it before you break the pins. The pins are just in there to hold things together on the assembly lines. It doesn't take any real force to snap them. If the lower shaft falls out it will be impossible to reinstall it in any position but with vertically the steering wheel on the floor; no biggie after the panic goes away..
 
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Good Day. I swapped my 1966 Barracuda PS gear for a manual gear box. Column is about 4” short. I can’t figure out how to extend the shaft. I don’t see any nylon shear pins. I also changed to a floor shift so I don’t need that shifter arm. What do I do now?

B10AF989-B084-4C64-8765-B0F28734FDC4.jpeg
 
stevesblue66 said:
Good Day. I swapped my 1966 Barracuda PS gear for a manual gear box. Column is about 4” short. I can’t figure out how to extend the shaft. I don’t see any nylon shear pins. I also changed to a floor shift so I don’t need that shifter arm. What do I do now?

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That doesn't appear to be a collapsible column, so it won't have shear pins. I think those started being used in 67 or so. You can simply buy an adapter to use it with your manual box, or disassemble it and install a longer shaft.

You can also modify the collar to eliminate the provisions for a column shifter. I just got done doing the one in my 66 Dart - it turned out great.
 
mopowers said:
That doesn't appear to be a collapsible column, so it won't have shear pins. I think those started being used in 67 or so. You can simply buy an adapter to use it with your manual box, or disassemble it and install a longer shaft.

You can also modify the collar to eliminate the provisions for a column shifter. I just got done doing the one in my 66 Dart - it turned out great.
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Thank you. Glad I didn’t beat on it too much. JEGS and Summit list $216 adapters. I just saw one for $140 built by a shop in Ohio. It is not as pretty but looks good. Any info about them?
Also, did you just cut off the shift indicator and shift lever bracket? I should be able to cut off that bottom lever right?
 
stevesblue66 said:
Thank you. Glad I didn’t beat on it too much. JEGS and Summit list $216 adapters. I just saw one for $140 built by a shop in Ohio. It is not as pretty but looks good. Any info about them?
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This one's a tad cheaper: Mancini Racing Manual Steering Adapter

I didn't realize they were so costly. In my opinion, they're bulky and ugly as hell. I'd just take the column apart and replace the shaft.

stevesblue66 said:
Also, did you just cut off the shift indicator and shift lever bracket? I should be able to cut off that bottom lever right?
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For mine, I disassembled the column, cut off the pieces on the top collar and make it look like a column shift collar, and shortened both the outer jacket and the shift tube (for header clearance). If you don't want to get that deep, you can certainly just cut off the pieces and levers you don't need. Its just a matter of how pretty you want to make it.
 
mopowers said:
This one's a tad cheaper: Mancini Racing Manual Steering Adapter

I didn't realize they were so costly. In my opinion, they're bulky and ugly as hell. I'd just take the column apart and replace the shaft.



For mine, I disassembled the column, cut off the pieces on the top collar and make it look like a column shift collar, and shortened both the outer jacket and the shift tube (for header clearance). If you don't want to get that deep, you can certainly just cut off the pieces and levers you don't need. Its just a matter of how pretty you want to make it.
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I’ll check Mancini.
How far up did you cut the tube. It does take up space. Which headers?
 
stevesblue66 said:
I’ll check Mancini.
How far up did you cut the tube. It does take up space. Which headers?
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Ii just cut it so it was only sticking out from the firewall an inch or so. I'm gonna build a set of headers, since it's got a big block. I'm not looking forward to that job.
 
Last question today: Is there a bearing at the end of the tube or anywhere 40” up the tube? I’d rather not deal with that.
Also, Ma Mopar wasn’t messing around when she built that shift lever nub. Almost burned up my Dremel.
Thanks
 
stevesblue66 said:
Last question today: Is there a bearing at the end of the tube or anywhere 40” up the tube? I’d rather not deal with that.
Also, Ma Mopar wasn’t messing around when she built that shift lever nub. Almost burned up my Dremel.
Thanks
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The only bearings are the small one towards the top of the steering shaft, and the plastic bushing at bottom that also has the rubber seal/shaft bushing.
 
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