Topic: Steering column alignment

[Hipo giddyup]

This one has me stumped.. I am rebuilding the 70's steering column and cannot figure out how to line up the collar with the key/cylinder and the column itself. I have attached pics of where the ignition switch mounts and lines up to the connection with the cylinder/key. It's about 1 inch off? And if I align the two bolts in the column and align them to the two holes in the collar, it would place the ignition cylinder at the 12 o'clock position on the column. I'm stumped..

[RocketScientist]

Is your collar installed in the correct position or is the collar rotated  because the reverse lockout is engaged.

Brad

[Hipo giddyup]

Thanks for the reply Brad. That I am unsure of.
  So the outer tube has the square openings to hold the retaining bolts for the collar. If I line them up with the collar, the lock out mechanism in the collar is an inch off from lining up with the ignition switch that is also mounted on the same outer tube? The steering column was half apart when we purchased the car so maybe something is missing? And the ignition switch was not connected.. I have rotated the inner tube, that connects to the lock out rod from the tranny, and it doesn't seem to make a difference which way I rotate it unless I am missing something? I was going to mount the collar to the tube and rotate the inner tube to see if anything moves to line up.. Hit or miss I guess. I do not have an assembly guide for this..
 

[Hipo giddyup]

OK so I had a few minutes to put the collar on the steering column. When I line the collar and it's steering wheel locking mechanism up to the ignition switch (that is mounting to the outer tube), this places the ignition key cylinder at 12 o'clock on top of the column. I know this is not correct but it doesn't seem to want to go together any other way? Please see the pics attached. If I rotate the inner tube, the tranny lock out, all it does is rotate the collar away from lining up with the ignition switch rod.

[RocketScientist]

 I think I got it now....I think you switch is upside down!   If you flip it over (seems weird but it does work) the orientation will be better

[DougDyar]

I agree! Unbolt the switch and flip it over.

Also, there's a small, plastic pin that needs to be inserted in the switch to orient it correctly before tightening those two nuts.

[Hipo giddyup]

Wow, thanks guys. That's exactly what I overlooked! I turned the switch over and now it lines up and I am able to complete the column rebuild. Thank you!

Bill