How To Replace your Lower Column Bearing: Better and Cheaper!!!
I know this is a relatively old thread, but I thought I would add to it. After discovering this thread, I took some part numbers and headed to the bearing store. Great guy, has been there since he was 14 in 67. So I told him what was up and what I was after to rebuild the column on my 67. He gave me the R16 or whatever, but when I told him the dimensions, he suggested something different.
What he gave me is this bearing for an air handler. It has a rubber sleeve and a set screw collar on the bottom. It fits wonderfully. I cut the plastic bushing down so as to keep the middle tube true. Works great. The old bearing was down to sleeve. Took it back apart to finish paint. Will forever assemble with more pix tomorrow.