Tilt steering for a `71 Centurion?

[Boscoe]

My `71 Centurion convertible did not come with tilt steering and I would like to add it. I see a tilt column on eBay, but I don't know if it fits a Centurion or a Skylark. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130127977647.

Can any of you tell by looking whether or not it will fit my car? I have sent the seller an email asking if it's for a full-size or mid-size car but thought I'd ask here, too. Thanks.

[yosuthnmasa]

I found a similar auction by the same seller HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TILT-STEERING-COLUMN-69-70-71-72-CHEVY-BUICK-OLDS_W0QQitemZ130132434245QQihZ003QQcategoryZ42609 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on ebay. You might get another chance if this one fits your application. So you have to replace the entire column, add paint, etc. to do a nice swap? Does adding options that aren't listed on your original invoice devalue the car in any way? I've been thinking about adding tilt capability to my car as well as it would be a nice option to have for comfort but dont want to take away from its "original" condition.

Shipping on this item from the seller is around $25 though. Definitely take this into consideration when bidding.

[Boscoe]

I found a similar auction by the same seller HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TILT-STEERING-COLUMN-69-70-71-72-CHEVY-BUICK-OLDS_W0QQitemZ130132434245QQihZ003QQcategoryZ42609 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on ebay. You might get another chance if this one fits your application. So you have to replace the entire column, add paint, etc. to do a nice swap? Does adding options that aren't listed on your original invoice devalue the car in any way? I've been thinking about adding tilt capability to my car as well as it would be a nice option to have for comfort but dont want to take away from its "original" condition.

Shipping on this item from the seller is around $25 though. Definitely take this into consideration when bidding.

The seller said the column was from a `69 Riviera, so I doubt it would have fit. So far as I know the whole column has to be replaced, and painted if it doesn't match the interior. Adding available options usually doesn't hurt the car's value, although some "purists" might argue the point. I suppose if the lack of an option somehow made the car rare and desirable, then adding it would hurt the value. I'd keep the original non-tilt column and include it with the car when I sold it so the new owner would have the choice to return it to stock.

If I see a tilt unit for a `73 for sale I'll let you know.

[yosuthnmasa]

Thanks. Do the tilt columns vary much from 71-73? How difficult are they to swap? What can you use off the non tilt wheel and put on the tilt wheel?

[Boscoe]

Thanks. Do the tilt columns vary much from 71-73? How difficult are they to swap? What can you use off the non tilt wheel and put on the tilt wheel?

I think the `71-73 columns are the same. I'm no expert, so I asked Bob Alberini and he said he he was 99% sure they were the same.

I'm not sure how hard it will be to change. I have a vague memory of once dropping the steering column on a car to get at something under the dash but that's been at least 25 years and I didn't remove it all the way. It will probably be attached to the steering box or at least the shaft leading to it, to the floor where it enters the interior and, and to the structure under the dash board. There will be an electrical connection for the horn, turn signals and emergency flashers, a cable from the shifter to the transmission, and some kind of connection between the shifter and the shift indicator in the dash. I've been told it could be something as flimsy as a string. I think that's it but I could easily be forgetting something.

Unless you pull it from a car the column is unlikely to still have its steering wheel, so you'll transfer your steering wheel to it. You can also transfer your gear shift and your turn signal lever if they are better than the ones on the new column or the new column didn't come with one. I don't think there's anything else you can use.

Does anyone here have experience with this swap and have some knowledge or warnings to share?