Steering column support bracket position

[Bob Jasinski]

I'm installing my Borgeson steering box and original steering column in my '65 Barracuda. Its been many years since the column was removed and am trying to determine how the bracket that supports the column under the dash fits. It has a tab that fits into the slot on the underside of the column, but the bracket can go on two ways. Does the tab go towards the front of the car (away from steering wheel) or the rear (toward the steering wheel)?

 

[mopowers]

The tab goes forward, toward the firewall. It should only go one way though. If it'll go the other way, make sure the column isn't too far back.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

The tab goes forward, toward the firewall. It should only go one way though. If it'll go the other way, make sure the column isn't too far back.

Well...It fits either way. The slots are elongated quite a bit. How do I know how far in or out the column should be?

Edit: I may have the column tube rotated 180 degrees off. are the elongated slots on the top or bottom? What side does the directional wiring come out? right side or left?

 

[mopowers]

Well...It fits either way. The slots are elongated quite a bit. How do I know how far in or out the column should be?

Edit: I may have the column tube rotated 180 degrees off. are the elongated slots on the top or bottom? What side does the directional wiring come out? right side or left?

Maybe yours is different than the one in my '66 Dart. On mine, there is only one slot, so the column only goes one way (slot down). The signal wiring comes out higher than horizontal on the drivers side. If yours has more than one slot, it may not matter. Have you checked a factory service manual? It may have some useful details in it.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

Maybe yours is different than the one in my '66 Dart. On mine, there is only one slot, so the column only goes one way (slot down). The signal wiring comes out higher than horizontal on the drivers side. If yours has more than one slot, it may not matter. Have you checked a factory service manual? It may have some useful details in it.

I can't find anything in the FSM on the steering column. The parts book does not show my steering column which is the simple one without gear shift built in. The tab on the bracket must be there to locate the column. Someone with an early Barracuda would know, they were all floor shift whether auto or 4sp.

 

[cudamark]

You want the shoes in the coupler in the middle of the range, column slot down, and turn signal harness comes out on the driver's side.

 

[cudamark]

I can't find anything in the FSM on the steering column. The parts book does not show my steering column which is the simple one without gear shift built in. The tab on the bracket must be there to locate the column. Someone with an early Barracuda would know, they were all floor shift whether auto or 4sp.

They made column shift automatics and manuals in '66 too.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

You want the shoes in the coupler in the middle of the range, column slot down, and turn signal harness comes out on the driver's side.

That makes sense. The slot on mine is 7" long, so the bracket will fit either way, tab towards firewall or towards steering wheel. So how did the factory set the position of the column? I would think the tab was a locator, but it appears not.

They made column shift automatics and manuals in '66 too.

So...as it happens I have a steering column here from a '65 or '66 Dart that had a manual steering box and automatic on the column. It only has one slot that is 1" long. The directional wiring comes out on the left side.

 

[cudamark]

My early '66 Barracuda 4speed manual steering column has two lower slots that are both fairly long.....3 inches or so. The strap goes on with the finger forward and in the front slot. Make sure you have the rubber sleeve in place too before you tighten the strap.