Carl, What's the difference between a big block steering shaft and a small block one? Educate me please!!!:Smarty: Thanks!
George has a good write up about the differences in Buickperformance.com - basically the BBB intermediate shaft has a bolt in flange and the 350 doesn't. Buick 455 Steering Intermediate Shaft by George Nenadovich Here are two steering intermediate shafts (go between steering column and steering box). The one on top is from a factory GS 455 car, 1970. The one on the bottom is from a 72 Skylark 350. All GS455 models used the upper shaft and this is very helpful for 1971 models since the VIN does not indicate engine size. All Buick big blocks in Skylark models use the upper shaft (bolt-on flange) and so do all Oldsmobile 455 cars such as Cutlass, 442, Hurst. I tried to copy the pics and the info. Looks like the pics didn't transfer. Go to his website under restoration and you will see the difference.
Carl, you are correct on the Bucik steering shaft but I have owned several and friends own 4 big block Olds cars and I have never seen that shaft on an Olds. And these are all matching numbers cars. Only Buick had that shaft I think.
Spoke to Duane about this...BBO did have the shaft...all depends on which assembly plant built the cars....here is the link w/pics: http://www.buickperformance.com/BBBshaft.htm
Buick and Chevy used this style steering shaft with a big block. The only Olds that used a bolt on coupler was the '65,'66 and '67 442 and Turnpike Cruiser option Cutlass's and a whole different animal. '68 up used the solid style coupler just like Pontiac.
I agree with Archie Bunker. All my friends cars are documented Lansing W-30's and Hursts. None have that shaft with the bolt on flange. There are just to many of these that we have had our hands on and I even have had the entire steering columns stored at my house and they had no bolt on shafts in the Olds. Does not show in the 70-72 Olds assembly manuals like it does the Buicks.
I have 69 Hurst Olds and 70 W-30 convertible 4 speed and they both have Big Block Buick Style shaft.Anyone know why they used it on Big Blocks only?
Not enough clearance between manifold and frame to slide the coupler/flange on the rag joint.....with a two piece end...you can slide the column in and slip the shaft into the flange which was bolted to the rag joint.
Back to the original topic - I decided to keep the intermidiate shaft that I had for sale here! Ok now you guys can continue.:Smarty:
