1970 Steering Column

[eight_bit_micro]

Greetings to all, I just bought a 1970 Mach 1. It's a nice car but the steering column is goofy. It sits too low, and it seems too short as well. The column has definitely been replaced but it looks like the correct 1970 setup.

There is a fair gap between the bottom of the dash and the top of the column, and the steering wheel is way way too close to the seat (note floor pans and risers are all original and unmodified, and the seats are stock). I noticed the previous installer shimmed the column down (away from the dash) with a few washers, but then noticed this is necessary as otherwise the ignition switch assembly on the top side of the column hits the bottom of the dash.

Something is definitely not right, as I wouldn't think there would be any interference with the ignition switch and am pretty sure the column should stick out farther. I've posted a couple pics showing the gap and the switch mechanism (you can see where it has been rubbing on the bottom of the dash). You can also get a feel for how close the column end is to the dash.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[horseballz]

The pedals don't look right. I'm not sure about what is correct, but I do know that the pedal support assembly has a lot to do with steering column mounting and that at least 69 & 70 supports are not the same. I think you may have a mis-match of someone's mix & match of parts such as pedals/support/steering column. You may need to pull it all apart, check what numbers you can find and get the right parts to put it back together correctly. I'll bet this is not what you were hoping to hear, but....
HTH,
Gene

 

[eight_bit_micro]

I think I found part of the problem. The attached picture shows a 1970 column for sale on eBay. Look how close the ignition switch assembly is to the steering wheel; mine is way down the column. I then found an article by Mustang Monthly which states, "As mentioned earlier, '70 is a stand-alone locking steering column. Although '71-'78 columns are virtually the same at the collar, Ford located the ignition switch farther down the column to move it under the dashboard and out of harm's way, making access more difficult for thieves. For '70, the linear-actuated ignition switch is tied directly to the ignition lock actuator just below the collar."

I knew the column had been replaced, so it looks like someone used a '71-'78 piece instead which is why it doesn't fit properly.

I will look at the pedal assembly as well, any other comments on that?