Upgrade steering system on build

[vanrah]

Greetings Geo & all; Unfortunately all the steering info was with my old for sale post & it's gone. I had Tommy Lee rebuild my box. Pricey but it is VERY Tight. He (Tommy Lee) prefers to have your pump also making sure that the valving is working with said box. And the shaft issue, I solved that be flipping my OE shaft 180 degrees cutting off the OE plastic U-joint & leather rag. Then using off the shelf Borgenson Isolation joint at the box end & one of their fine weld on joints with the column. NO Slop & more road feel than some guys may like. You become ONE with the road & tires, Bob Jr.

 

[V8 Rumble]

Also if you use the ss box it had bubble flar efittings I think the 78 was inverted that goes fir the pump as well. I used my old style pump and only changed the rear fitting from the inverted to bubble. The male thread inside is the same for both.

 

[Geo's66]

This is a great and informative thread guys, thanks... I'll have to check the box when I'm back to the garage its at next week... Wow, lots to know on a potential upgrade with these 78's. I'm having an engine built that I'll find out what front end assembly will be going on for the pump... This is what I'm concerned about, these nuances of knowledge on item swaps vs buying the expensive DSE unit once and knowing I'm doing things right vs twice. As far as the tilt steering wheel, I have a 4 speed so I'll look into the s10 option. Can't believe ididit or flaming river doesn't have an option yet for the g body's!.... Be good for them and us... Thanks

 

[V8 Rumble]

78 columns are compatible with only 78 model years also.

 

[Geo's66]

78 columns are compatible with only 78 model years also.

I've heard this, which is a drag as they aren't around much... I have been told these s10 tilts will work, but with plate modifications at the firewall... Anyone have any input/experience on this? Not a huge deal if I don't have tilt, but it would be nice. Thanks

 

[V8 Rumble]

I've heard this, which is a drag as they aren't around much... I have been told these s10 tilts will work, but with plate modifications at the firewall... Anyone have any input/experience on this? Not a huge deal if I don't have tilt, but it would be nice. Thanks

I don't know about the s10 column but it would be interesting to have another option.

 

[ssn696]

I managed to track down my old post comparing a manual S10 column to a manual Malibu column. Here are the text and photos:

I pulled an S10 manual tilt column to convert a Blazer, and kept it after the car was sold. I also happen to have a Malibu manual tilt column. I'm guessing the car I pulled it out of was an 81, since it has the wiper switch in the turn signal stalk, and my 80 has the switch on the dash.
The S10 column (black) is about 33" from the shaft end to the wheel flange. The Malibu column (blue) is hung up out of reach tonight, but I looks pretty close to 33". Then shaft end to the dash support bracket (silver slotted pieces) is about 21" - on the Malibu column it may be a little different. If you have a U-Pull-It close by, make the investment of $50 and give this a try. Get the rest of the intermediate shaft from another G-body - I think the 78s used a splines end vs. the 'D' shaped end in the 79 and later cars. The wheels mount just the same.
You'll need to swap the flange for the firewall - the S10 is different. You can swap the stalks to make them match the Malibu. The wiper switch gets complicated - the polarity in the wire harness changed at some point. Others may chime in with this info.