[Rattiac]

Before I order a column , I've been doing some measuring and would like to keep the wheel the same distance from the dash as stock.
And of course that led me to steering wheels and thier depths.
What are your thoughts on depths. What looks too deep or shallow for a 30's car
I've been looking at a Grant with wood grain.  It has a 2" dish to it.

[sammons]

I like the 2" depth. I don't care for the really deep ones or the flat ones.

[Essex_29]

That's pretty close to what  I was looking at for my Pontiac too. Not a bad choice, I think.

Only thing better I can think of would be one of those down sized tri-five Chevy BelAir
 steering wheels, but they're probaly silly expesive.
A friend of mine bought one for his '55 BelAir, and sold the original one to me, which I'm
planning on using in my Buick. But it's huge.

[Rattiac]

Steering wheel is on it's way.  Searching for the column is getting kinda overwhelming.  Trying to find something with the neutral safety switch on the column and possibly the key.  Looking at ebay,  soooo many choices with prices ranging from $158 to 1,100.
What would you pay for a column 

[sammons]

Only thing better I can think of would be one of those down sized tri-five Chevy BelAir
 steering wheels, but they're probaly silly expesive.
A friend of mine bought one for his '55 BelAir, and sold the original one to me, which I'm
planning on using in my Buick. But it's huge.

Essex i've cut down several of those, one '55 and a few '57s. I just got a doner 15" steering wheel and cut the hoop off. Took old wheel and ground the Plaskon plastic back to the steel core, cut to fit new 15" hoop. Welded it back on and used epoxy to build back the Plaskon and steering grip back up and a skim coat of filler to smooth up and paint. The stock center horn ring will be about 1/2" away from the steering wheel but clears fine.

Rattiac, i guess i'm behind the times. Our local salvage yard (before he closed) only charged me $75 for GM tilt columns.

[Rattiac]

Found a ebay supplier who deals only in steering columns and decent prices.  I'm just waiting on the measurements for the neutral safety switch,  to make sure it clears my floor before ordering.
Figured I could do this mod before tearing the car apart for steel.

Sammons..
The junkyards here are pretty scarce on 80's cars.  Even 90's stuff is hard to find,  except Hondas.

[EDNY]

Speaking of steering columns, I installed a pro-stock type front clip on my 66 Nova. The front clip is set up for disc brakes, Mustang II rack, Chevy motor mounts and no need for the special 66-67 Nova oil pan.

Shortened the column about 1-7/8" and installed a wheel bearing and race to replace the bushing style end.  Took a piece of 2" round stock and milled it so it slides into the column and the race gets pressed in.

Might be confusing but to have adjustments for the gaps inside the car between the steering wheel and shift column I installed washers to act as shims.  Adding or removing them adjusts the column gaps if needed (not needed).

The shorter column also  produced the perfect U-joint angles, the double-D shaft also clears the new frame.  It's all mocked up so I can steer the car around my shop.

[Essex_29]

Very neatly installed Steering setup, Ed.

[sammons]

Ed, very nice setup you have there. I'll bet that column bearing and race set up is smooth as silk. Never thought of doing that before.

[EDNY]

Thanks guys, attached a picture of what I started with. The steering shaft is actually part of the steering box and must be cut off as close to the box as possible. The shaft is 3/4" in diameter and the bearing ID is also 3/4" (perfect).  Yes..very smooth.

[Rattiac]

Nicely done EDNY. 
I have one last question before I pull the trigger on a column. I noticed some columns have the neutral safety switch and another sensor above it.  I believe it's a (ignition module), correct me if im wrong but could I not hook that up and be OK  ?
Could use a bit of schooling.
The column im looking at shows different pics making it a bit confusing.

[sammons]

I've never heard of an ignition modual on a column, but i know nothing about the columns newer than the 70s.

[Rattiac]

I thought it sounded odd.  Been looking at schematics.
Anyway I posted a pic.  It's above the NSS.

[sammons]

Rattiac, if that has the key on the column, that rod runs down to it, its basicly your ignition switch.

[EDNY]

Sorry for the late response...that switch controls the headlight dimmer and has a lever inside the column directional lever down to the that switch. It also distributes the power from the battery to the fuse block. Constant 12v and 12v with key on.