DIY Network

'66 El Camino: Sway Bars, Hydraulics and Steering Column From "Resto Rides" episode DRRD-101

(Continued from page 1)

Andrew continues the restoration on the El Camino by replacing the original steering column with a new aftermarket tilt steering column. In case of a driving accident, the new steering column will be much safer than the old because it will deflect and absorb the shock.

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	Connecting the steering column U-joint
	Removing the steering wheel

Tilt Steering Column

• To get the old steering column out begin by removing the bolts from the steering column footplate. Then unbolt the U-shaped mount that's halfway up the column.

• You'll need the footplate from the old column for the new column to work properly. Andrew saws near the base of the column and slips off the footplate. Slide the grommet off the shaft and pop it back into the footplate. Slide the whole thing onto the new column.

• Next, screw the footplate right into the spot where it came from. Bolt the column to the dash with the original clamp.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• At the firewall there's a column clamp that slides on and gets screwed down with self-tapping screws.

• Then, the flexible rag joint slides onto the steering box (figure B) and the U-joint is installed at the column end (figure A) so the column should deflect if it's ever in an accident. Since the column is a universal fit measure the distance between the joints and mark the length of the steering shaft to cut it down to size.
  Screw in the shift arm with the lever side facing in.

• Replace the shortened shaft, and tighten everything up to complete the project.

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RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Resto Rides 100 series: 1966 El Camino

Original Parts Group, Inc.
www.opgi.com

Husky Tools
www.huskytools.com

Rick's Hot Rod Shop
www.rickshotrodshop.com

Vintage Air, Inc.
www.vintageair.com

Fuel Injection Specialties
www.fuelinjection.com

Lokar
www.lokar.com

K & N Engineering
www.knfilters.com

Nordskog Performance Products
www.nordskogperformance.net