[Bentwheelbob]

Well, the steering column is now done and back together. All in all it turned out well. I painted it with SEM Trim Black Euro Jet Satin. It matches the paint on my '73 TA pretty well, maybe just a little more sheen. I tried to save the one sticker on the column, but unfortunately it partially peeled off when I removed the masking tape after painting. Also, I am not happy with the repro tilt lever. If anyone has a pristine original please let me know. Here's a few before and after pictures.

[77 Canamman]

The tilt lever is GM 9787072. Plug it into Partsvoice. Several come up. I bought one at the dealer about 5 years ago, but they are now discoed..

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

The tilt lever is GM 9787072. Plug it into Partsvoice. Several come up. I bought one at the dealer about 5 years ago, but they are now discoed..

Thanks for the heads up. I've got two ordered and will keep you posted. They were priced at $10.00, but when I said I would take two of them she knocked the total to $15.00 shipped. Hah. They had three, but she said the third was a little shelf worn.

[77 Canamman]

That's a great price. I hope the quality is acceptable. I bought one on E-Bay a year ago for $25, and the one purchased from the dealer 5 years ago was $15.

[charles bledsoe]

Hi Bob-

Looks fantastic as always! In your last picture did you have the gold colored bolts plated, or where they spray painted?

[Judge273]

I think theyre copper? Mine polished up nice?..

[Bentwheelbob]

Yes, they are copper plated and I'm curious why. If anyone knows, please share.

My originals polished up well also, but I needed to get new column mounting bolts and Firebird Central had a dirt cheap set that included very nice replacement copper bolts in the package. If anyone needs the old set, let me know.

[The Boss]

Ground point for column to chassis?

[OVERULD]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Ground point for column to chassis?

Gotta be this.

BJ

[Bentwheelbob]

Well, big disappointment on the NOS tilt levers. While the chrome is better than the repop I bought, the black end looks similar with a more rounded head and matte finish black plastic instead of the original gloss black plastic.

On the copper plated bolts, it doesn't seem that the copper plating we're be necessary just to establish a ground. I can't think of any other grounds on these cars that require a copper connection.

[77 Canamman]

Try this...take masking tape, and wrap the chrome to prevent scratching. Then wet sand the plastic with 2500 grit paper to get a consistent satin finish. Using red tube Wenol, hand polish the sanded plastic handle tip until you start seeing a gloss finish. I usually finish it up with the blue tube Wenol to produce the desired finish. I have restored original column shifter handles, turn signal levers, and the partially incorrect tilt levers using this procedure.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Well, big disappointment on the NOS tilt levers. While the chrome is better than the repop I bought, the black end looks similar with a more rounded head and matte finish black plastic instead of the original gloss black plastic.

On the copper plated bolts, it doesn't seem that the copper plating we're be necessary just to establish a ground. I can't think of any other grounds on these cars that require a copper connection.

Horn "clock spring" plunger and or horn plate that spins has copper face on it

[njsteve]

Are they copper plated or actually copper bolts? They could be designed as shear bolts to break and allow the column to move away from the driver in a front end impact.

[OVERULD]

That makes sense too, sort of like the decapitation bolts in the cowl that match up with the v-slot in the hood.

BJ

[unruhjonny]

i have never observed those bolts to be copper...

[Bentwheelbob]

The bolts are copper Johnny and the reason is as surmised for breakaway purposes.

Moving on... the more I get into restoring the pieces of the Black Car that were originally sent to Tom Fischer as part of the restoration process, the more pis_ed I get. I have spent thousands of dollars having Supercar Creations redo work that should have been done right by Tom. I have also spent hundreds of hours redoing stuff that was in perfect shape when sent to him, and was in crappy shape when I picked up from him after he punted his old career for a new one. The latest example is the dash assembly. It was in concourse shape when sent to him, and this is the shape now. Tom didn't have a spray booth, and apparently didn't want to take the time to put a $5.00 piece of plastic over it while in storage.

Caveat Emptor.

[OVERULD]

I'd be angry too, Bob. No excuse for that kind of sloppiness.

BJ

[Pepi]

Wow, no kidding. It looks like someone took a scuffing pad to it. Absolutely no reason for stuff like that.

[Judge273]

I see the opportunity for Bob to make it better than before...

[njsteve]

It's the drum roll waiting for the reveal...

Bob, you're such a tease!



BTW, I do know exactly how you feel after my 7-year debacle with the 72 T/A. Hopefully you will be so angry eventually, that you will sell the car back to me. (This has been part of my evil plan all along).