Late C3 steering column support weight

[vette427sbc]

Got the steering column support out of my '69 today to compare to the 1980 support I bought...
Factory one measures in at 8.8lbs
80-82 support is 3.5 lbs
This is only the weight of the top part of the support as the lower pieces are identical.




Lower pieces- Looks like there is a good amount of meat to cut a few holes in for a few more ounces :bounce:...


Sure would be a PITA to swap the support if you dont plan on taking most of the dash apart...

 

[69427]

Got the steering column support out of my '69 today to compare to the 1980 support I bought...
Factory one measures in at 8.8lbs
80-82 support is 3.5 lbs
......................

Sure would be a PITA to swap the support if you dont plan on taking most of the dash apart...

Man! :twitch:
I've had those same support pieces hanging in the garage for the last couple years. I just haven't worked up the level of ambition needed to pull the dash apart yet.

 

[vette427sbc]

Man! :twitch:
I've had those same support pieces hanging in the garage for the last couple years. I just haven't worked up the level of ambition needed to pull the dash apart yet.

Ive had these sitting around for a while too... Im rewiring the whole car and spraying down some sound/heat insulation, so... While Im at it...
I was hoping there would be a bigger weight difference too :noworry:

EDIT
Now that I think about it... the pedal box looked cast too. Ill have to check it again tomorrow. Anyone know if the later pedal boxes are stamped steel as well? Because, you know, while Im at it...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

the ones out of my 75 sure looks stamped.... later I'll be posting pictures of that assembly - I'm putting a 4 speed in my car - and they're out so I can put the clutch master cylinder in....

 

[Twin_Turbo]

pedal boxes are all stamped

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

pictures from mine (75)

 

[68/70Vette]

Installed on in my 70. The original cast iron piece is really gross.

 

[Lrayzer]

So do we have a definitive year that the lighter support was used ?
I have a 78 in process, and will do this swap, just damn hard to see anything under there, being over 50 I detest working under a dash LOL

 

[mrvette]

So do we have a definitive year that the lighter support was used ?
I have a 78 in process, and will do this swap, just damn hard to see anything under there, being over 50 I detest working under a dash LOL

Youngster, I"m age 70, and years ago when redoing the wiring and crap in my '72.....I highly modified the dash wiring....so one plug for all the lights, one for the tach, one ground wire, and the speedo cable.....I can pull my dash out in about ten minits or less....back in is another ten minits.....

GOD I"m lazy.....:sos::surrender:

 

[7t9l82]

pictures from mine (75)

interesting way to paint a trailer.:noworry:

 

[68/70Vette]

To install my Hydobeast, I ended up removing the front drivers instrument panel (of course). Removing the factory vacuum PB canister was just a horrible job...This had to be done on the interior of the car, laying on my back and trying to undo the fasteners in the blind. (Of course the driver's seat was removed.) This was one of the most horrible operation on the car ever. I have since removed the steering column. With the column removed, everything became so much easier. I easily renewed the clutch/brake petal mechanism with all new nylon washers . Easily connected the Hydrobeast (aka Hydro boost) brake shaft, etc.

With the steering column removed, I replaced that extremely gross cast iron casting that mounts the steering column to the lower windshield support with a stamped steel version. I bought it from a Corvette salvage yard. Forget how much I paid, but it's wasn't much. I think these light weight parts come from 81, 82 Corvettes. Anyhow, it fitted in perfectly.