I believe the plastic end may be another running change.
Early used a foam piece like a chunk cut from a water pipe insulation. Originals degraded and fell out.
I thought we talked about this... Did a search and came up empty. What I found in the MPC are four potential basic part numbers; 3C577, 3B564 and 3674 (which Ford seems to use somewhat interchangeably), and 3B361. Refer to the attached file with pictures and part numbers.
I went with the C7OZ-3C577-B from Mustangs Etc. and am very happy with it.
I resist following "the heard" on this detail without seeing or having seen images of UNRESTORED ORIGINAL EXAMPLES that may suggest otherwise.
Though my exposure to unrestored examples of 67 Mustangs or Cougars with the tilt column option is minimal, I haven't personally seen any indication that a chunk of hard nylon/plastic/rubber might have a chance of falling off of every UNRESTORED example I have seen. The suggestion AND images provided from the MPC do suggest that Ford used foam in this area. Am I missing something here to be so vigilant in my desire to hold out in following the herd?
John, you are correct that we have discussed this before and my end results from that previous research came back with FOAM insulation as being the correct choice.
What I see in Marty's picture (restored example), looks more like the bushing used on fixed columns, between the fixed column and the long shaft gear box. (though it does look very nice, I still hold out and wonder about its 'correctness').
Sorry guys, I am not yet convinced.