interchangeable

does any one know any online site that shows what parts interchange with what years thanks, and if you know im look for a steering column for my 72 nova do you know what other models interchange thanks again

I believe 68-72 novas + 67-69 camaro's are a direct fit.

With the correct rag joint (adapter) you can get the columns from most mid/late 70's (front steer) GM cars to fit.

I've got the column from a '77 nova in my '72. Took a little effort finding building the rag joint and pressing the flange off an older intermediate steering shaft (from a front-steer car). The splined flange on the intermediate shaft matches the splines off the later column.

Also had to swap the column-to-firewall base (or whatever it's called!) but it fits great.
It's actually a tilt column, and I've got less than $50 into it (including a new lock cylinder and 2 keys).

I believe 68-72 novas + 67-69 camaro's are a direct fit.

With the correct rag joint (adapter) you can get the columns from most mid/late 70's (front steer) GM cars to fit.

I've got the column from a '77 nova in my '72. Took a little effort finding building the rag joint and pressing the flange off an older intermediate steering shaft (from a front-steer car). The splined flange on the intermediate shaft matches the splines off the later column.

Also had to swap the column-to-firewall base (or whatever it's called!) but it fits great.
It's actually a tilt column, and I've got less than $50 into it (including a new lock cylinder and 2 keys).

what do u mean by rag joint

On your '72 there should be a rubber joint sandwhiched between two flanges (bolted together). One flange is splined and connected to the gear box. The other is splined and connected to the steering column. This is how the column is connected to the steering gear box.

On the later "front steer" columns, they use an intermediate rod (collapsible) to span the gap between the column and the (now mounted further forward) steering gear box.
The end of the column on the front steer models is splined...it attaches to the intermediate shaft. This shaft has a flange on the end (the end that connects to the gear box). This flange is press fit, and must be carefully removed from the intermediate shaft. Remove this flange and slip it on the end of the column.

Now, all you have to do to get it to mate up to your current column is dis-assemble your old rag joint (from the '72) and keep the lower half that attaches to the gear box...use the new flange on the new column as the upper half of the rag joint...those two pieces now sandwhich the rubber "disc" of the joint.

Voila, you adapted a later front-steer column to fit on your old nova.

Here is a pic of a rag joint...

http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3675647/1100614635001_coupler.jpg

Here is a rag joint repair kit ($10) you will need to "make" your adapter u-joint.
http://i1.ebayimg.com/01/i/08/4d/25/5a_1_b.JPG

Here is a flaming river U-joint adapter so you don't need to make your own u-joint (though it's at least thrice the price)

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/norm/fla-fr1716dd_w_m.jpg

Here is the intermediate shaft I'm talking about. The flange on the left is the one you need to adapt the column to fit your nova.
http://i20.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/bd/4b/d64e_1.JPG

see i cant figure my problem out my steering column plus the intermidate shaft i think you called it is way to long it was lyn in the car when i got it but was connected so dont know if its the right one because it makes the steering wheel push back all the way towards the front seat like i would have to be sitting in the back seat to steer lol want pics?

A '72 shouldn't have an intermediate shaft.

It should JUST be a column, rag joint (first pic above), and steering gear box.

If you have a column with an intermediate shaft, you have the wrong column.

A pic would be nice.

k i will put it up in 10 mins going to go take a pic

hey bsc i have a ?? (big suprise) i have a ''rag joint'' on my 75 right before the gear box that i believe is where i was leaking fluid from cause when i put stop leak in it it stoped leaking and that joint felt like new rubber.

is this the same thing your calling a rag joint????

The rag joint is a flexible connector for the intermediate shaft and gear box in your application.

Odds are it was leaking out of the seal around the gear box shaft....a common place for leakage. The rag joint shouldn't have any fluid on/around it...but if your seal was leaking, I suppose it could get a little wet.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/stix1r05/th_1017071958.jpg (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/stix1r05/1017071958.jpg)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/stix1r05/th_1017071959.jpg (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/stix1r05/1017071959.jpg)

Yup, that's a setup from a front steer car.

Is your steerin gear box in front of, or behind the crossmember under the engine? Should be behind (closest to the firewall).

If that is the case, you need to modify as I outlined above.

yea i'd have to modify it is like u said so then i dont use the shaft correct?

Nope, no shaft.

See that large flange on the end of the shaft? It's splined just like the end of the steering column...so remove it from the shaft and attach it to the column.

The best way to get it off w/o damaging it is to cut the shaft just behind the flange, then just take a small punch and knock the cut off piece through the flange.
IF you look, you can see the shaft is flared on the end...if you just try to force the flange off the end, you'll likely ruin it.

Then, as mentioned above, you just need the other half of the rag joint (that attaches to the splined end of the gear box--if it's not already there).

The wiring in your nova should attach to the new column just fine...though I think it has to be flipped 180° to work right--it should be fairly obvious.

Then, VOILA!!!
You've successfully put a tilt column in your '72 (which was never a factory option for that year!).

thanks if i have any ?'s you mind if i send u a message

thanks if i have any ?'s you mind if i send u a message

Feel free.
I've done the swap twice now--it's VERY simple once you figure out exactly what parts you need.

thanks well i most likely will be starting this next weekend so i prob. will be sending you a message thanks, talk to u later

whats the u joint adapter for?

67-68 Camaro only fit 68 Nova and 69 Camaro will fit up to 72 possibly to 74.The ignition is on the dash in the 68 and older Chevy's and in the column 69 and up.

Feel free.
I've done the swap twice now--it's VERY simple once you figure out exactly what parts you need.

The man with all the answers!! Your my hero!!! ;)

For what its worth, you can find allot of info regarding interchangeability on my web site.

Your steering column options for a direct swap in a '72 are:

69 Camaro

69-74 Nova


If you use a column from a 73-74 in your '72, just change that U-shaped mounting bracket to the 69-72 style. Easy swap, four little bolts.

The reverse is also true... if you put a 69-72 column in a 73-74, you'll want the right bracket.

1st page bsc was telln me how to make the steering column i got work but do u know wat the u joint adapter is for

1st page bsc was telln me how to make the steering column i got work but do u know wat the u joint adapter is for

You need a way to connect the end of the steering column to the gear box.

The end of your column is splined, the end of the gear box is splined. You need a way to mate these two parts together.

As I mentioned earlier, the flange from the intermediate shaft (the part I told you to press off, and slip onto your column) will solve half the equation.
The other half of the equation (getting these parts to connect to the steering gear box) will require another flange that will slip over the splines of the steering gear box. You should be able to find this on just about any GM car of the era...just pull the complete rag joint off some car in the junkyard.

These two flanges sandwich a piece of rubber, and bolt together to form a rag joint.
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3675647/1100614635001_coupler.jpg

Follow?
It's a toughy to explain...if I was there and could show you exactly what I mean, it'd be a real "DUH!" moment! :D

i followed that part but what was the u joint for

LOL...gotcha! :D:D:D

The U-joint is just another option you could use. Instead of searching high and low trying to find a rag joint or two to cut apart and make the part you need...you could just order a adapter u-joint from one of the major steering column manufacturers out there.

The U-joint replaces the rag-joint so you have a solid, all metal connection, instead of a slightly flexible rag-joint. Either will work fine...the rag joint generally being much cheaper.

ooooooooo i get it know i was trying to figure how they go together lol:o

I shoulda been more clear. ;)

It's a simple one or the other, but not both. :p

by the way thanks for always helping me out i know im slow some times lol but you always seem to get to my threads n help out thanks

Gotta start somewhere. :)

I just wanna see one big smokey burnout vid/pic when you get that thing together. :cool:

i will put it as a avatar like yours :D

what goes in the gap i pushed it in all the way but theres still a gap:confused:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/stix1r05/stearing.jpg

gee i have a 69 camaro steerin column in my 74 who would have thunk it?:rolleyes:

gee i have a 69 camaro steerin column in my 74 who would have thunk it?:rolleyes:

Wow, thanks for that helpful post. :rolleyes:
Pretty easy feat to accomplish.


Stix1r, the groove in the splines on the steering gear box is there for a bolt.

The joint needs to slip further onto the splines, and a bolt goes through the flange and keeps the rag joint from being able to come loose.

See this pic for a better explanation:
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3675647/1100614635001_coupler.jpg

so it needs to go all the way down to the gear box because inside theres like a bracket that stops it for going any further in:confused:

Hi all...

I am trying to do this swap...Could you guys update some of the pictures for me???

Is the U-joint going to be any smaller because the rag joint on mine rubs against the headers