steering column

First we installed a short header pipe coming off the exhaust manifold on the left side, next we cut a piece of wooden dowel – obtained from the lumber yard earlier in the week - long enough to reach from the steering column to the firewall. Inside, we made a "column drop" from a piece of muffler strap, then used another piece of dowel to mimic the column, complete with a steering wheel.

Once we thought we had the angle of the column pretty well figured out, we drilled a hole in the firewall and ran a sheet metal screw though the firewall into the lower end of the wooden "column."

"I think this sucker's goona haul ass if I can just get this steering column installed."

In this way we were able to mock up both the steering wheel and column, and the necessary intermediate shaft and u-joints. The best news is the fact that the intermediate shaft will clear the exhaust and the left frame rail. Not only that, it appears the u-joint angles are modest and nothing to worry about.

I've decided not to use the old column shown here a few weeks ago, and instead buy a new one. So the next step is the purchase of the new parts, and installation of the components.

Though hard to see, the intermediate shaft will run almost straight up from the steering rack to the firewall, where it will connect to the steering column.

Just a Little Final Welding

A few weeks ago I did report the floor as officially finished. There remained, however, two small holes at the front of the floor on each side. On Thursday I made small cardboard templates, which I used to cut and bend up two small patch panels designed to fill each hole perfectly.

Here you can see: the hole, the cardboard template, and the small patch panel.

Yup is a great welder, so I let him fire up the wire-feed while I helped hold each patch panel in place with a long screwdriver. In no time at all we had the holes filled with metal, so that now the floor really is finished.

After a little trimming the patch fit the hole pretty nice.

All that's left is the column, and plumbing the brakes, and running the gas lines and firing the engine, and, and…

We tack welded the patch in place, then rolled over the upper edges with a small hammer, before doing the final welding.