Column Compatibility

[Clatter]

Turns out someone put a shifter column from a Skylark or Special or something in our '65 GS.
It has the little bracket on the side for the shifter...

In a search for the correct smooth column,
Which years/models are the same?
Can't help but think other cars used the same column...

Found a '64 Skylark stick car,
Same as a '65?

Much thanks.

[gssizzler]

For a gs model you need the style where the column has splines and a coupler that is removable!
Not sure if 64’s used this style also! I know on a couple of 64 4 speed cars they did not have the removable coupler! A body BOP floor shift columns will work if they are coupler style although the turn signal levers have different handle levers on them but they can be changed to Buick ones! There are 2 different turn signal switches the guide and boyne! Sometimes the color of wires would vary BOP! Put a want add up for a 65-66 floor shift column on 65 GS and V8 maybe!?

[WkillGS]

^^^ I'll expand on that a little.
The 65-66 GS with 401 used a steering column with a removable coupler so the column could be installed/removed with the engine in the car. There is little room between the exhaust manifold and the upper A-arm shaft. A steering shaft with the welded/pressed on flange is too large to clear that space during R&R, but I suppose it can be done by removing ex manifold or lifting the engine.

I believe all tilt columns, all engines, had the removable coupler?

1967 used a collapsible column and will not work in a 64-66.

[Clatter]

Excellent info gentlemen.

Say i get the ?64 column and it doesn?t have the removable coupler,
Could i use parts from both columns and put together what I want?

Said another way,
Think I could swap my column-shift shaft into my floor-shift column?

[schlepcar]

 If I remember correctly it is a totally different shaft that is GS only. Other GM A Body  65-6 cars may be interchangeable if they were big block.


 The shaft they are talking about looks like this at the bottom instead of being a solid pressed on piece

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256490969508?itmmeta=01HYPTJ7PD4033VNQCWWGY7K4V&hash=item3bb80d99a4:g:mPEAAOSwropmKdG0&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4Ei4WcoN%2B%2FD35zSbgLrmy5nb3qCR7VVVJTipOkh0c1SrhQVB%2BHO8CRGvLXdFJfPSEvy1JOC1vh9zxKkFjuGm1FSQycukNPYF%2FwxB0OCWUAYcmmPWZy5TaSyufmjpE7DWbvpmnz4Cwi2cMn5XpqoWPiNs1xyTt8sqmCzkIM99o894eaxlYw2DmkVbefZTtPTUHbdbBWzYJE347%2FcVkn8XTHhHOlCkQ1wnr2zF37Y4QeNpK%2BV2Cnsl2%2Ben77wcCjSgLskkjWoVDQNtMr%2BWe7yR2utaIW2QXiR4GkvgL2gFsGJF%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6j7yNr1Yw

[schlepcar]

  I am not sure if we are totally answering your question. The difficult part to find is the correct shaft with the bolt on bottom adapter. If you have the correct shaft you CAN use 64-5 floor shift bowl from GTO Malibu Skylark Cutllass?.you can change upper bowl without buying another column. As the earlier post says there are two different makes of turn signal switches and you need to use the correct one for the upper shift bowl. I would highly recommend an NOS switch if you can find one unless you get lucky and your original has been replaced. If you already have the correct shaft you are over the hill on the job.

[Clatter]

Thanks again for your time.
Takes some effort to get thru my thick head sometimes.

Since the car was modified and we?re trying to put it back to original,
And we don?t have a build sheet for it?

Is there a way to tell archaeologically if the car came with a tilt column or not?
Were there differences in mounting points or stampings or some such?

[WkillGS]

Not that I'm aware of. Some 65-66's had a Fisher Body build sheet stuffed into the rear seat cushion, but that only shows 'body' mods that were made to the body tub. 'Bolt-on' options weren't noted on those sheets. Some '65 guys have reported finding handwritten notes with more extensive option details.

I don't have much experience with swapping the steering column 'bowls'. Just that they are unique to the two styles of turn signal switches.... the attachment points for the switch are different, the bowl is matched to the switch.

I do feel it's important to use the proper column if you want it 'correct'. Since the 65-6 GS used the removable coupler, some 'fake' GS's may not have gone to the trouble (or knew) to change out the column from the V6/300 V8 version.

[Loren At 65GS]

As it has been pointed out, the '65 and '66 GS used a column with a removable rag joint.
The reason for it was to aide mounting the body to the frame during assembly. The type of column with the upper metal part of the rag joint that is welded to the steering shaft interfered by hitting the exhaust manifold as the body was being set in place. So, the use of the column with the splined shaft end.
 All '64-'65 Tilt column have the splined steering shaft.
A non-tilt column in a GS would have the splined steering shaft. A Special or Skylark would have the shaft with the welded style of rag joint.
 There is a small difference in how the upper bearing is secured in the tilt '64 and '65 columns but that is all I have noticed so far other than the style of the knob on the levers.

  I will try to post pictures. [if I remember] lol
  Loren

[GS66]

I have a floor shift column out of a 66 GS that I removed to change to a tilt column, assuming my car had the right one to begin with.

[Clatter]

I have a floor shift column out of a 66 GS that I removed to change to a tilt column, assuming my car had the right one to begin with.

I'd be most interested if you would be willing to part with it.
Boxing and shipping would be a chore, but we can make it worth your time.

If it isn't the correct column,
But was good enough to fool you, it's certainly good enough for me!
 

[GS66]

I will post a picture and maybe someone can confirm it?s correct. I only have Gran Sports so it should be. If it is how does $60 plus shipping sound?

[Loren At 65GS]

So.... it kinda slipped my mind about getting those pictures. Better late than never.

  First picture is showing the two different shaft ends at the rag joint.
 The next two are just close ups of each.
 As stated earlier, the shaft with the splines is used in a Gran Sport. Both the tilt and non-tilt columns in a Gran Sport have the splined shaft.
 All tilt columns, whether used in a Skylark or a Gran Sport are the splined style.

  Loren

 

[GS66]

Loren, is there a difference between the columns for power steering and manual steering?

[WkillGS]

The column is the same between manual and power steering, but the steering boxes have a different diameter and spline count on the input shaft. Therefore, the coupler is different between manual and PS.
Coupler is listed in group 6.525 of the parts book. It doesn't show the dia or spline count however.
Going from memory (so don't count on it!), the manual is 3/4" and the power is 13/16".