The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
Despite the prior aggravation and do-overs, the column is done and back in the car for now. I'm anticipating having to take it out again for one reason or another but at least it's off the floor.
Out of the three options I described in my last post, I ended up using the shorter power steering shaft. Yes, I had to pull the shaft apart a little to get it to the right length but it had to be done. And even though I managed to drill a straight hole for the coupler roll pin on the column shift one, I didn't trust myself to drill the lock collar roll pin hole precisely. The coupler roll pin position is less critical. Worked out OK in the end I guess.
To keep the two halves from moving in and out, I re-used a little metal retainer tab/spring clip that was on my original column-shift shaft. I didn't take a picture of it before I put it in but it's a genius little thing. It's double D shaped on the outside that wraps around the wider part of the shaft with spring tension. It also has an angled, 'T-shaped' extension that digs into the top half to keep it in place. This clip had to have been made for this exact purpose. I looked around on the internet for something similar to show as a reference but couldn't find anything so I drew a picture. See below.
After wrestling with the column on the bench and getting it put back together, the paint was touched up. Came out OK for a rattle can job. Again, it is close to the original suede finish but is lacking the slight metallic quality. I'm not spending $200 for a half pint of the obsolete original paint so good enough will have to do here.
I super-glued the steering wheel foam chunk back on. It's not perfect but there really isn't anything else I could have done for it. I'll find a new wheel at some point but as with the paint, good enough will have to do for now.
The column bracket was given the speed hole treatment and repainted in the original glossy finish.
This key chain is from the original owner. Tuster sounds funny.
Thankfully this column ordeal is over. Have to give myself a pat on the back for sticking to it and finishing despite being super annoyed about having to re-do stuff. Definitely helps to keep things rolling.
More to come.
Despite the prior aggravation and do-overs, the column is done and back in the car for now. I'm anticipating having to take it out again for one reason or another but at least it's off the floor.
Out of the three options I described in my last post, I ended up using the shorter power steering shaft. Yes, I had to pull the shaft apart a little to get it to the right length but it had to be done. And even though I managed to drill a straight hole for the coupler roll pin on the column shift one, I didn't trust myself to drill the lock collar roll pin hole precisely. The coupler roll pin position is less critical. Worked out OK in the end I guess.
To keep the two halves from moving in and out, I re-used a little metal retainer tab/spring clip that was on my original column-shift shaft. I didn't take a picture of it before I put it in but it's a genius little thing. It's double D shaped on the outside that wraps around the wider part of the shaft with spring tension. It also has an angled, 'T-shaped' extension that digs into the top half to keep it in place. This clip had to have been made for this exact purpose. I looked around on the internet for something similar to show as a reference but couldn't find anything so I drew a picture. See below.
After wrestling with the column on the bench and getting it put back together, the paint was touched up. Came out OK for a rattle can job. Again, it is close to the original suede finish but is lacking the slight metallic quality. I'm not spending $200 for a half pint of the obsolete original paint so good enough will have to do here.
I super-glued the steering wheel foam chunk back on. It's not perfect but there really isn't anything else I could have done for it. I'll find a new wheel at some point but as with the paint, good enough will have to do for now.
The column bracket was given the speed hole treatment and repainted in the original glossy finish.
This key chain is from the original owner. Tuster sounds funny.
Thankfully this column ordeal is over. Have to give myself a pat on the back for sticking to it and finishing despite being super annoyed about having to re-do stuff. Definitely helps to keep things rolling.
More to come.