Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FarmerSid · 06-06-2016, 01:45 PM

Got to fitting a 69 GM van column in my 52 Chevy truck. As you can see in the pic, the shift arm hits the valve cover and exhaust manifold.

Is there a way to correct this? Could I cut and weld to make it closer to the fire wall? I only have about an 1-1.25" between the valve cover and firewall.

I thought of moving the column over to the left a bit but then the steering shaft will hit the frame. The column as it sits has a straight shot with no hitting down to the rack.

Thanks for the help!

**First c10** · 06-06-2016, 02:09 PM

You can move the column towards the inside of the cab maybe, or shorten the overall length, or relocate the hole in the shifter arm to possible clear the block, or reposition the shifter arm to the other side of the column and use a cable..
hope this helps

EDIT: This is what I used.

**First c10** · 06-06-2016, 02:17 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342845
a link

FarmerSid · 06-06-2016, 02:52 PM

Thanks for the idea's. I've seen that link and that kit but don't understand how they move the lever on the fender side. My arm does not bolt on.

**First c10** · 06-06-2016, 03:08 PM

Would have to cut & reposition and weld back together Is the only way I can think of. Maybe can cut down the current shift tab.

solidaxel · 06-06-2016, 06:24 PM

Cut and weld to fit !
Do you have a straight shot to the trans arm/linkage
Do you have enough travel to go from PRNDL?
Just like everything else, make it work!!!

FarmerSid · 06-06-2016, 07:35 PM

Thanks Solid! Yep I have a straight shot to the lever on the trans. Cut out the opening in the floor pan and moved the column over about 1/2 inch. Clears fine now. About 22" from pin on trans lever to lever on column. Steering wheel is out is square to cab by about 3/8". Don't notice it sitting on a milk crate. I have the column 7" away from dash measured from dash to base of steering wheel or end of column where the column and wheel meet. Seems a bit far away from dash. Trying to get cab done but having a hard time getting a seat local. Want a Chevy truck bench with fold down arm rest. Right now I'm going off of my 04 Sierra for fit. It has leather buckets.

Cut and weld it is!! Have no problem with that but just wanted to see if anybody had a cooler solution I could steal!

FarmerSid · 06-06-2016, 07:48 PM

Another question. My 4L60E trans is an 04 and has the neutral safety switch on the trans and my column is a 1969 van column with no safety switch on it. It has the curved electrical connector. Should I and how do I use the neutral safety switch off of the trans? I have a pcm, gas pedal and tac from an 04 truck that is not from the truck the trans came from.

solidaxel · 06-06-2016, 10:57 PM

I like the N safety switch on the steering column and the key circuit for starting just keeping things standard to the start circuit.
What happens if you change trans when one brakes and the shop just changes out one they have on the shelf!

solidaxel · 06-15-2016, 08:50 AM

Whats up Sid !

06-06-2016, 01:45 PM	#1
FarmerSid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,041	Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Got to fitting a 69 GM van column in my 52 Chevy truck. As you can see in the pic, the shift arm hits the valve cover and exhaust manifold. Is there a way to correct this? Could I cut and weld to make it closer to the fire wall? I only have about an 1-1.25" between the valve cover and firewall. I thought of moving the column over to the left a bit but then the steering shaft will hit the frame. The column as it sits has a straight shot with no hitting down to the rack. Thanks for the help! __________________ 1952 Canadian Chevy 1300 C4 IFS & D44 IRS 5.3 HO L33 My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938

06-06-2016, 02:09 PM	#2
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold You can move the column towards the inside of the cab maybe, or shorten the overall length, or relocate the hole in the shifter arm to possible clear the block, or reposition the shifter arm to the other side of the column and use a cable.. hope this helps EDIT: This is what I used. Attached Images __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!! Last edited by First c10; 06-06-2016 at 02:15 PM.

06-06-2016, 02:17 PM	#3
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342845 a link __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

06-06-2016, 02:52 PM	#4
FarmerSid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,041	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Thanks for the idea's. I've seen that link and that kit but don't understand how they move the lever on the fender side. My arm does not bolt on. __________________ 1952 Canadian Chevy 1300 C4 IFS & D44 IRS 5.3 HO L33 My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938

06-06-2016, 03:08 PM	#5
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Would have to cut & reposition and weld back together Is the only way I can think of. Maybe can cut down the current shift tab. __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

06-06-2016, 06:24 PM	#6
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Cut and weld to fit ! Do you have a straight shot to the trans arm/linkage Do you have enough travel to go from PRNDL? Just like everything else, make it work!!! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

06-06-2016, 07:35 PM	#7
FarmerSid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,041	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Thanks Solid! Yep I have a straight shot to the lever on the trans. Cut out the opening in the floor pan and moved the column over about 1/2 inch. Clears fine now. About 22" from pin on trans lever to lever on column. Steering wheel is out is square to cab by about 3/8". Don't notice it sitting on a milk crate. I have the column 7" away from dash measured from dash to base of steering wheel or end of column where the column and wheel meet. Seems a bit far away from dash. Trying to get cab done but having a hard time getting a seat local. Want a Chevy truck bench with fold down arm rest. Right now I'm going off of my 04 Sierra for fit. It has leather buckets. Cut and weld it is!! Have no problem with that but just wanted to see if anybody had a cooler solution I could steal! __________________ 1952 Canadian Chevy 1300 C4 IFS & D44 IRS 5.3 HO L33 My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938

06-06-2016, 07:48 PM	#8
FarmerSid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,041	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Another question. My 4L60E trans is an 04 and has the neutral safety switch on the trans and my column is a 1969 van column with no safety switch on it. It has the curved electrical connector. Should I and how do I use the neutral safety switch off of the trans? I have a pcm, gas pedal and tac from an 04 truck that is not from the truck the trans came from. __________________ 1952 Canadian Chevy 1300 C4 IFS & D44 IRS 5.3 HO L33 My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938

06-06-2016, 10:57 PM	#9
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold I like the N safety switch on the steering column and the key circuit for starting just keeping things standard to the start circuit. What happens if you change trans when one brakes and the shop just changes out one they have on the shelf! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

06-15-2016, 08:50 AM	#10
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Steering column shift arm hits valve covers and manifold Whats up Sid ! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42



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