Hello every one, I have a 71 Riviera which is a column shift and a 72 that is console shift. I wanted to swap the two eventually but a bad ignition cylinder on the 71 has necessitated me doing it sooner than later. I have the shop manual and have read through the procedure, just wondering if anyone who has done this can give me any first hand tips or advice. Anything from tools, steps, cautions to take and anything from the steering column to tranny linkage to cutting for the console shift ( I'm sorry. I know this kind of starts to delve into the transmission side). I'll also post this in the Boats section. Thank you for any help.
They are the same family design-wise from everything I can tell. Are you going to change the key cylinder or just swap the whole column? I haven't done a Riv column but the manual looks pretty much the same for all of them besides the specific wiring. Unhook the gear indicator before you drop the column from the cradle. That indicator connection is pretty fragile. Other than that, it is as straight forward as it looks.
How are you going to shift it without the column shifter ?? If you are putting the console shifter in it you still have to use the rod from the transmission to the column . Its what moves the indicator and the lock rod so you can take the key out .
