I just wanted to inform everyone that 77-80 steering columns do not interchange with 81-90. I found that out the hard way today.

I just swapped an 89 lesabre wagon column into a 77 98.

It sucked a little bit.

77 steering shafts are splined into an odd cv joint up near the shift linkage, looks like a rear end axle shaft.

81 and up have an inverted flange. So the shafts are not interchangeable.
Also, to use the 77 Ignition switch on the 80's column, you have to shorten the throw rod by 3/4 of an inch.

The gear selector/indicator cable does not clip on the same way either. I have to fab something for that up tomorrow.

Just thought I'd save someone else a huge headache down the road.

 

Good tip, sounds like a PITA. Who would've guessed there was that much of a difference.

 

I bet from a distance it looked like a direct bolt in.
Good to have this kind of info about...

 

Thanks for the info. I would have never thought that they couldn't interchange.