Steering Column for 86 T/A and performance question

Unless you have a T-5, you should step-up to either a stroker or go hog wild with a big inch small block. If you have a T-5, pull it, sell it to a 4.3 S-10 owner, and get a Richmond 6 speed. Then go with either a 350, 383, or 400. A 383 is a 350 block .030 over bored, with a 400 crankshaft with the main journals turned down.

With a 6 speed, even a 400, with 4.11 or 4.56 rear gears will get decent fuel mileage and have a good cruise rpm at 70 to 75 MPH. Charles

Any steering column from a third gen firebird or camaro will fit. 82-92. Also, I think some of the S10's and blazers of that era will fit as well. The dealer will know which parts cross to which cars. Just call them and ask for the steering column and then ask which other cars will have that same part.

I also recommend running a 350, not a 305. I've got a 305 and supercharged it. There are a lot more parts out there for a 350.

-Bruce

You can easily find this column. Go to any junkyard that has the Hollander Interchange Manual/System and they will locate it in a jiffy.

The old column could easily be fixed by anyone competent as well. Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

Steering Columns from 1982 to 1992 will bolt in, but the wiring will not be correct. 82 to 84, except 83-84 berlinetta with turn signals on dash. 1985 is a year on it's own due to wiring changes, 1986 to 1988, some early 1989. 1989 & 1990,. then 91 & 92. From what I recall of the top of my head.

1989 F-cars could be had with VATS, 1991 F-cars had air bags. Charles

Charles

Im a mechanic, I do know what a 383 is lol...anyway its a 700r4...

and right now its got 2.77 rear gears with Posi in it.... so I would probably use a HiPo 350 or 400 (I consider that if I do the 350 thing, the

383 Stroker is an option...)

Since its AT, Any other ideas?

Joe,

Noone around here (Cleveland, OH area...that I know of) would do just the tilt bowl...

J

3.73 Gears come to mind since over drive is 0.70 Gear Ratio. A bored out 400 is the way to go. You keep your handling balance just right, and depending on how you dress the motor, it can look stock, except for the drivers side dip stick.

Your in Cleveland? Im in Dayton. My Business partner does rebuild GM steering columns. For around $80 he should have all the parts to do it.

Also We do have a 88 Tilt Column in our swap meet stuff. If you can give me until Monday, I can look at it and tell you if it's cruise, delay ect.

Columns with out steering wheels, with the intermediate shafts removed (shaft from column to gear box) are UPS shippable, and shouldn't cost more then $20 to ship.

Any other 3rd gen stuff you need? Charles

I currently have a 383 Small Block Chevy on ebay,if anyone is interested.

Jason:

You should be able to handle this a tech, if you have the shop manual from GM or, even Alldata. It's time consuming, but not "that" hard.

Here in NYC, those GM columns were always broken into in the 80's, so you got good at them :). Steering column work is general repair work that any body shop can handle.

Remind me not to move to OH if this is the case. LOL :). Even in cosmopolitan NYC in the snobbyist areas, I'll bet you I can find shops that work on this stuff :).

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going....

send me an e-mail of all you can get for a 3rd gen, in the way of engine parts, interior parts (this is an 86 WS6 Hardtop) and alternative engines (like 305 TPI, 350 TPI, 350 4bbl, 383, 400, and possibly 402)

Jason

I'm a part of a group that used to have majorly modified T/As at the Nats :)

its none that I know of lol

and Im sitting here with my Chilton manual on top of the printer...

I, myself am a mechanic, but I dont get into tearing steering columns down...I prefer making cars run, or run FAST lol

J

LOL...

-Geno

1985 Blue Camaro 2.8L w/T-tops (148k and going... getting worried) 1988 Blue Firebird Formula 5.0L w/T-tops 1985 Brown Firebird 5.7L w/5-Speed (No T-tops though) Still looking for an '82-'84 T/A w/T-tops or parts from one