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I have two 1964 Cutlass convertibles, both Lansing MI cars, both 330 automatics.
Car #1 is a two owner numbers matching car that I am rebuilding. It had a rusted frame that was junk but otherwise very solid.
Car #2 is a parts car from Texas that had a perfect frame.
Car #2 was completely disassembled and the frame and suspension completely rebuilt.
Car #1 was placed on the frame from car #2 and aligned using primary and secondary locating pin with .005" clearance to the holes in the frame and.010" clearance to the holes in the body.
All the body bolts lined up and were torqued to 30 Ft. Lbs. per the chassis manual.
The flange on the steering column is approximately .875" from mating to the rag joint on the steering box. (See Pic.).
I have checked the distance from the firewall to the steering column flange and both cars check the same.
Both cars have the same power steering unit.
Both cars had the steering column attached to the steering box prior to disassembly.
What am I missing ? How can there be such a large gap ? I was concerned that when we dropped the body back onto the frame we might have a problem getting the column flange and box to attache because of how close they are. Not it this case.
Any ideas ?
I have two 1964 Cutlass convertibles, both Lansing MI cars, both 330 automatics.
Car #1 is a two owner numbers matching car that I am rebuilding. It had a rusted frame that was junk but otherwise very solid.
Car #2 is a parts car from Texas that had a perfect frame.
Car #2 was completely disassembled and the frame and suspension completely rebuilt.
Car #1 was placed on the frame from car #2 and aligned using primary and secondary locating pin with .005" clearance to the holes in the frame and.010" clearance to the holes in the body.
All the body bolts lined up and were torqued to 30 Ft. Lbs. per the chassis manual.
The flange on the steering column is approximately .875" from mating to the rag joint on the steering box. (See Pic.).
I have checked the distance from the firewall to the steering column flange and both cars check the same.
Both cars have the same power steering unit.
Both cars had the steering column attached to the steering box prior to disassembly.
What am I missing ? How can there be such a large gap ? I was concerned that when we dropped the body back onto the frame we might have a problem getting the column flange and box to attache because of how close they are. Not it this case.
Any ideas ?
loosen the two nuts under the dash on the column clamp and push the column down toward the firewall. It may push the rubber seal on the column down with it and if it does,you will need to remove the column and move it in place.
as above for most of the adjustment. YOu may be able to fine tune by loosening the clamp bolt for the rag joint assembly (bolt head is shown next to the ground wire) and sliding the rag joint on the splines. The scalloped cut in the shaft on the steering box is usually a bit wider than necessary to allow this.
Thank you both for your technical assistance. When I first looked under the dash prior to starting this thread I saw that the steering column clamp bracket to the brake peddle support had slotted holes but they were left to right. I immediately dismissed that as an option.
Thanks to 66-3x2 442 I went back and looked closer and sure enough, all you need to do is loosen the two nuts and slide the entire column forward. That got me 90% of the way home and the fine tuning suggestion from Run to Rund got it 100%.
Thanks again to both of you for your help.
