911 steering column conversion, Lesson learned Options

[tygaboy]

Apparently, I'm the only one who didn't know that when you're converting to a 911 steering/ignition switch set up, it's important that you weld on the 914 column mount in the same orientation as it is on the 914!
The mounting holes are offset, and if you weld it on backwards, your cool new set up won't fit on your car - at least not with the steering shafts connected!
Ask me how I know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Hope this is a help to someone.

[BillJ]

An honorable public service announcement

[mepstein]

And that plate only works on 72-76. Early cars require a different mount.

[mb911]

Chris what year car? I have done a bunch of these and none of them were like that

[tygaboy]

@MB911 Ben - The chassis is a '72. I don't recall what year the 914 bracket was from. But I have swapped early columns onto my LS car and it's a '75 so maybe you just planned more carefully and never accidentally rotated your brackets?
Either way, no worries. It's fit (still just tacked) and everything worked out.

[rgalla9146]

Chris don't declare victory quite yet.
There are two versions of the splined shaft between the universals.
One is longer than the other and the recess for the cinch bolt is clocked differently.
I learned this when first driving my 911 column car.
It had a segment of high effort when turning the steering wheel
I'll get a better description of the one that works in my car.
Rory
PS I'm sure you can make either work with a bit of grinding.

[Lucky9146]

I would love to do this to my car. Helpful thread! Thanks!!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/white914.jpg)

[tygaboy]

Chris don't declare victory quite yet.
There are two versions of the splined shaft between the universals.
One is longer than the other and the recess for the cinch bolt is clocked differently.
I learned this when first driving my 911 column car.
It had a segment of high effort when turning the steering wheel
I'll get a better description of the one that works in my car.
Rory
PS I'm sure you can make either work with a bit of grinding.

@rgalla9146 Rory - You said "grinding" so I assume it's the short version I want to use?
The splined shaft I'm running is the one that came in the chassis and it appears to position the column in the proper fore/aft location. I'll climb under and take a look to see if the position of the upper universal looks to be in the same spot as it is in the LS car.
Please let me know if you have any additional info. Thanks much!

[SirAndy]

Please let me know if you have any additional info. Thanks much!

I had to re-notch the shaft on mine to get a smooth motion for a full turn of the wheel. It would bind up a bit in certain places.

But, my car was a bastard to begin with, having installed a '74 /4 column in the car (which is a '70) many years ago so when i went with the 911 column, i already had mix/mismatched parts to begin with.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[tygaboy]

Please let me know if you have any additional info. Thanks much!

I had to re-notch the shaft on mine to get a smooth motion for a full turn of the wheel. It would bind up a bit in certain places.

But, my car was a bastard to begin with, having installed a '74 /4 column in the car (which is a '70) many years ago so when i went with the 911 column, i already had mix/mismatched parts to begin with.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

@SirAndy - Rory was kind enough to send me these pics. I haven't had a chance to look at my LS car's set up but do you know which groove orientation/set up you ended up with?

[tygaboy]

And correct me if I'm wrong but since I'm using the same steering shaft between the column and rack and maintaining the same universal joint relationships as were in the 914, swapping in the 911 column shouldn't make any difference, should it?

I just clock the steering wheel to the proper orientation re: the steering column splines.

[SirAndy]

And correct me if I'm wrong but since I'm using the same steering shaft between the column and rack and maintaining the same universal joint relationships as were in the 914, swapping in the 911 column shouldn't make any difference, should it?

I just clock the steering wheel to the proper orientation re: the steering column splines.

For me the 911 column had the spline shaft in a slightly different position (can't remember if shorter or longer) moving the upper coupler slightly off from the /4 position.
That was causing the binding.

But again, my parts were already a hodge-podge, so that might not be an issue for you at all.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[rgalla9146]

And correct me if I'm wrong but since I'm using the same steering shaft between the column and rack and maintaining the same universal joint relationships as were in the 914, swapping in the 911 column shouldn't make any difference, should it?

I just clock the steering wheel to the proper orientation re: the steering column splines.

I think the position of the notches relative to each other is to keep the universals
in phase.
The steering wheel comes last.
The shafts I have are certainly 914
The differences in the shafts must be to satisfy the notch position of the various upper
column mechanisms.
eg. 914 '70 -'72 '73-'74 '74-'75 and 914 6
One fits 6s and a certain group of fours. The other fits the rest of the fours ?

[sixnotfour]

SixNotFour......................................................conversions /parts have made real Six parts Dusty...

[Front yard mechanic]

Where did you sorce your 911 steering lock? those are pricey

[tygaboy]

Where did you sorce your 911 steering lock? those are pricey

@Front yard mechanic From AASE and yes, pricey. Just over $900. @mepstein had generously donated a used one with no key. I had it re-keyed but the tumblers were worn to the point that it wouldn't reliably allow the key to advance to the "start" position.
By the time I priced other used ones, which are never cheap either, I just opted to "buy once, cry once".