66 Valiant - need steering column help!

[halfafish]

My ride under construction is a dead stock 66 Valiant base model. Slant six and three-speed column shift with manual steering. I am going to swap in an A833 OD floor shift instead, so I'd like to swap out the steering column to a correct version. It will look better, as well as getting rid of all the additional clutter at the lower end of the shaft.

I have been told that the 66 columns are a one-year-only proposition, is this true?

I bought what I thought was the correct column from a 66 Barracuda that had a floor shifter, but clearly the center shaft is several inches shorter than the one in the car - I'm guessing the new one is from a power steering car.

A couple of questions, can I rebuild the new column and swap in all my guts, or maybe is there another year/model of column I could use instead? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[KosmicKuda]

I don't know if a 66 is one year only but yes, the shorter column is for power steering. If you are keeping the manual steering, you can swap the longer central steel shaft from the manual column you have into the "new". Did that in my 68.

 

[vitamindart]

66 is different where it attaches to the floor. probably the cheapest way of changing it is to gut both columns and put your parts inside the non-column shift one

 

[slantsixdan]

You can go ahead and use the '66 column you bought; either swap the longer steering shaft out of your three-on-the-tree column. Or buy a power-to-manual steering shaft extender (one of these) but that's more expensive than using parts you already have.

Good opportunity to pay attention to your steering shaft-to-box coupler; it's probably worn. New ones (and rebuild kits) are available from Steer & Gear. And make sure the seal at the bottom of the column is in good condition or you'll get crankcase fumes and leaked exhaust coming up the column; I know the one from R/T Specialties is good. Check yer turn signal switch, too; see here.

 

[Rapid Robert]

I bought what I thought was the correct column from a 66 Barracuda that had a floor shifter, but clearly the center shaft is several inches shorter than the one in the car

You are OK with useing this barracuda column in your dart (housing color/condition/appearance) except for the shorter inner (PS) shaft obviously will not work? As said take em apart & highly likely the dart longer manual steering inner steel core shaft will easily fit. If they are identical except for the length then you're good.