Steering wheel not sitting flush against collar..

[AllGoNoShow]

Took apart my steering column and replaced the bearings and turn signal switch. Went to put it back together and noticed that the steering wheel does not sit flush against the collar (see picture below). This is a 68 non-tilt, floor shift, column with the one piece long steering shaft. Went back and looked at pictures and this was how it was before but I didn't notice it (only had it for a few weeks before I tore it all apart).

Steering column is pulled forward (into the cab) as much as it can be in relation to the steering shaft (it can't go up any higher and still have the long rectangle hole in the column fit in that top "tang" of the bracket under the dash). Turn signal switch and the metal support beneath it are all tightened up as much as possible, and even if the steering wheel could come down another 1/4 inch to get everything flush, the width of the canceling cam would prevent it from doing so.

So I guess my question is, is this just normal 55 year old GM manufacturing tolerances or is there something else I should be looking at? Its like the steering shaft is 1/4 too long.

Nick