Topic: 67 Steering Column. Which one?

[carguytroy]

I have a couple of questions about 67 steering columns. The car I am working on is a 1967 390 car with a build date of 7/12/1967. I see in an older thread talking about a car with a similar build date that a “short shaft” column is mentioned. What’s the difference in the short shaft column and the column that mates with the long shaft steering box if any? I have a 1967 column that is not original to the car but I am not sure which one it is. If the one I have is a short shaft column where would be a good source for a steering shaft? It’s not with the column.

[jwc66k]

Early 67 Mustangs used a similar steering shaft as 64-66 which was full length, 41 or so inches. I don't know the cut off date, but later 67 Mustangs used a fabric based coupler, called a "rag joint", and a two piece shaft, the "short" shaft variety.
For replacement parts, a junk yard is your best bet, or someone on the forum, or e-bay.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

I have a couple of questions about 67 steering columns. The car I am working on is a 1967 390 car with a build date of 7/12/1967. I see in an older thread talking about a car with a similar build date that a “short shaft” column is mentioned. What’s the difference in the short shaft column and the column that mates with the long shaft steering box if any? I have a 1967 column that is not original to the car but I am not sure which one it is. If the one I have is a short shaft column where would be a good source for a steering shaft? It’s not with the column.

The 390 typically got the short column with a rag joint coupler regardless of if early or late production . It was the smaller displacement engine cars that got the long version column until the changeover to for all cars to the rag joint shorter style regardless of displacement happened in May of 67.

[Bossbill]

As I recall from an earlier discussion on this (probably Bob!), with the small block you could still remove the long shaft steering box with the engine installed. With a big block a long shaft gearbox could not be removed without first taking out the engine.
From a service point of view the rag joint style gearbox just made sense.

I wonder is there was an assembly line reason, too?

[67gta289]

You are looking for a C7ZZ-3524-B

Note that the tilt column part is C7ZZ-3524-A

[carguytroy]

So if I’m understanding right the column itself is the same unless it’s a tilt away, but the shaft is just different right?

[67gta289]

The column is an assembly made up of several individual parts.  I did not, for example, look up the part number for the outer tube.   You mentioned that you have everything for a 390 non-tilt column except for the shaft. The part number I listed is for the missing piece.   Did I misunderstand what you are looking for?

[jwc66k]

You can download your own copy of the 75 Ford Car Parts (aka MPC) and see for yourself what is required. The Mustang Assembly Drawings cover a lot of what was installed on the assembly line but for detailed pictures and service part numbers the MPC has advantages.
http://squarebirds.org/Manuals/1965/1965-72FordPartsTextCatalog/
There are 45 files with a total of 430mb of data. I downloaded mine into two directories, one for illustration, one for text.
Jim

[carguytroy]

The column is an assembly made up of several individual parts.  I did not, for example, look up the part number for the outer tube.   You mentioned that you have everything for a 390 non-tilt column except for the shaft. The part number I listed is for the missing piece.   Did I misunderstand what you are looking for?

Yes and no, totally needed the part number for the steering shaft. Thanks for that. I’m also wondering if columns themselves are different(outer tube etc) or if they are the same and just the shaft was replaced for 67.

[67gta289]

OK now I am picking up what you are putting down.  The tube is basic part 3514.  It appears that the 6 cylinder and 289 fixed column, C7ZZ-3514-A, is different than the 390, which is -C.  See the attached.  More than likely this is saying that the long shaft tube is -A and the non-tilt short shaft version is -C.

Since the MPC date I'm working from is December 67, it could very well be that the -C is the same one used for late 67 6 cylinder and 289 with the short shaft.  I don't see why it wouldn't.

The 65-72 MPC skips over part 3514 for the 65-68 model years, so no clarification there.

Go ahead and post some dimensions and pictures of what you have.

[carguytroy]

Apparently it’s the long shaft column because the steering box is still attached to it. Forgot what I had I guess. Pretty stupid of me. Bought it off eBay because it seemed like a good deal and it was, but it’s not what I need. Guess I’ll be selling that piece. On a another note the car didn’t come with the tilt away column. Seeing as I need to find something different anyway what are you guys thoughts on putting a tilt away column in the car. Good idea or put the car back the way it was?

[jwc66k]

I prefer factory original, with a few minor changes, tires, fan belts, battery. It's your car. When you say "factory original" you mean it. Or get another 67 and make it a daily driver.
Jim

[carguytroy]

Makes sense. I prefer factory original myself. On the hunt for a column