steering column swap

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williamattop

Master Mechanic
Apr 9, 2014
455
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Appleton WI
Hello again everybody. Been busy with moving and new job and everything lately so I havent posted in awhile.

I have a 87 SS with tilt and floor shift. Steering column is shot and I will not be attempting a rebuild anytime soon on it. And I mean shot like wobbly, key stuck, high beams stuck on, shot.
My question is will a complete column from an 83 El camino be a direct swap? I believe it will fit physically, but will the wiring match up?
And if so, can I just remove the shifter and grind down the tabs considering I have a floor shifter?
Ive read many conflicting stories about what works and positive switched wipers, negative switch wipers, etc ,,,

I do have a local pull apart with a few early year gbodys in it that I could pull a wiper motor from cheap if needed.
The 83 steering column complete with key will cost me $50 and if needed the wiper motor $10 and thats about all I an afford at this point.
Hoping for some definitive answers from all the combined experience on this board.
TIA
 

Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
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A decent rebuild of the column that consists of mostly of tightening some bolts with a dab of loctite. A little grease here and there. Possibly a new high beam switch. New lock tumbler.

The wiper delay could be different with/for intermittent control. The plug should be the same.
 
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williamattop

Master Mechanic
Apr 9, 2014
455
53
28
Appleton WI
A decent rebuild of the column that consists of mostly of tightening some bolts with a dab of loctite. A little grease here and there. Possibly a new high beam switch. New lock tumbler.

The wiper delay could be different with/for intermittent control. The plug should be the same.


So are you saying it will for sure work either way?
And thank you for the info on the rebuild. I am aware of what it consist of but it is not an option for me at this time nor anytime soon. Distance and time being the main reasons I am looking for an alternative to rebuilding what I already have.
 

ck80

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Feb 18, 2014
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So are you saying it will for sure work either way?
And thank you for the info on the rebuild. I am aware of what it consist of but it is not an option for me at this time nor anytime soon. Distance and time being the main reasons I am looking for an alternative to rebuilding what I already have.

I'll leave the elky question for one more familiar with those "just in case."

I will also say that most salvage yards are more concerned with options like pulse wipers or not, or in the case of a regal, optional cornering lamps or not, in the interchange manual when talking columns.

That said, to convert from late to early wiper motor is NOT as simple as buying a motor and plugging it in... the actual wiring harness hookups are different. So you'd need to rewire that portion of the car to do it.

But to clarify/expand on what bar50 may have been getting at... unless you've changed a column before, I will share it can easily be more work, and MORE TIME than just tightening up the bolts, changing the lock cylinder and stalk than you have... those repairs ALL being possible with the column still in the car.

As part of removing the wheel/hub to get at the bolts and tightening them you can at the same time get at and change what you need without extra labor. And a new stalk is $10-15, new gm lock cylinder with key about $19, check ebay, it's true.

So, to be honest, you're both TIME AND MONEY ahead by fixing what you have rather than changing the column, which, if you havent done it before, getting that intermediate shaft back on can on occasion be a REAL PAIN.
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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Jul 19, 2009
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I have read that you can tighten three of the four Torx bolts without removing the column. Gotta take the top end apart, though, to get to them.
 
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williamattop

Master Mechanic
Apr 9, 2014
455
53
28
Appleton WI
Gentlemen, again thank you for the advice. But again, rebuilding at this time is not an option. I understand it would more than likely be easier and possibly cheaper, unfortunately given my current situation i need to find an alternative.

I am looking for swap infomation specifically. Im sure there have been sucessful column swaps done on later year G bodys before. I am hoping to get some info on what\if there is differences in years that will and wont work hopefully from somebody who has done it.
Or if i just need to find one from an 87.

Thanks again
 

Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
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Spring, Texas
If you are determined to swap columns, then swap with an identical column. Same wipers, cruise, floor shift etc. My 82 has delay wipers on the turn signal switch so you should be fine with an 82-88 G body floor shift column with the same wipers/cruise that you have. You won't want one out of a car with cornering lamps since the turn signal switch will be different. Someone on here likely has a column. Post up in the wanted section.

You wouldn't need to 'rebuild' your column. It's just a repair. It will be as much effort to swap columns, but to each his own. Hope this helps. Best of luck.
 
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williamattop

Master Mechanic
Apr 9, 2014
455
53
28
Appleton WI
To clarify, i do not have access to my car as it is in storage in another state. The person who is storing the car(my brother) is willing to swap columns for me as he has done it a few times before. He is not comfortable attempting to fix the in op one thats in there now. My hope is to have a functioning swap done so i can drive the SS home vs trailer it. Once home, i would attempt repairing the original column myself.

Thanks
 

Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
1,180
870
113
Tulsa, OK
Have him swap it. If it has different turn signals and wipers it will drive home. Plug may have more wires.

Good luck.
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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You can purchase the '83 El Camino column, swap it out with yours, then at a later time repair the Monte Carlo column and sell it. Floor shift tilt columns are desirable and sought after.
The only concern, other than the condition of the replacement, would be the compatibility of your wiper switch to wiper motor. In other words, if your current column has the delay function and the replacement doesn't you would need the delay equipped wiper motor.
Other than that, the '83 Elky is a direct swap to your '86 Monte.
Is the Elky column a floor shift column as well?
 
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