C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

[Dale P.]

[Tony H.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

Dale,

You might want to check to see if the shims were used to adjust the seat. This would be a start. I suppose the steering column could be shimmed to position lower as well but I think you might be able to see a gap in the instrument dash bottom at the steering column.

Tony

[Warren F.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

Dale:

For that very reason, the steering wheel diameter was reduced from 16 inches to 15 inches in 1969.

[Jack H.]

Plus....

the door panels were put on a 'diet' to increase shoulder room. I guess that's the result of both Messr's Duntov and Shinoda having slender builds. They felt quite comfortable seated in a '68, but the buying public apparently complained!

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

Their is some adjustment in the column bracket and if you 4 speed shifter hits the front of the chrome shift plate it is too low. If you have an auto this check is no help. It is easy to have the dash too far back on a shark frame off. Lyle PS from the capet to the wheel in a 73 is 12 1/4 inches approx.

[Dale P.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

Yes, I have a 4 speed and the shifter does in fact hit the front (engine side) of the shifter plate on the console when using the standard throw holes in the linkage arms ... so are you suggesting that the entire dash can be moved up/down and front/back with respect to the body?

[Dale P.]

Re: Plus....

is there any measurement that can be taken to be sure that the column is at least installed correctly .. say from some non moving point ... of course I would need a vertical and horizontal measurement .. like from the floor to the steering wheel bottom edge is ???? and from the wind sheild to the top (noon position) of the steering wheel is ???

[Dale P.]

measurements .. Correct?

Took some basic dimensions .. can anyone comment on them as far as being "correct"

Wind sheild to top of steering wheel in horizontal level line .. is 11"
Dash to steering whel in horizontal level line is 6.25"
seat (with no one in it) to bottom of steering wheel is 4.50" as measured in a true vertical direction

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

FWIW, a friend's 70 seems to have less room from seat to steering wheel than my 71 or 72. In fact, I run a larger teak wheel in the 71 (for looks) and have more room than he has in his 70 with the 1 inch smaller stock wheel.

We've compared the two cars and never found anything obvious that accounts for the difference.

Patrick

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 .. tight steering wheel to seat clearnace

Dale YES To move the dash forward you take the trim off the bottom of the column and remove the two bolts holding the column. Their is a plate at an angle that has four 1/2" hex head size 5/16 bolts you can move the plate up as far as you can and still be able to put in the two column bolts. The dash will go forward the column up and you will need to move both consols forward. This will help the shifter not hit and the wheel up a little if it can be moved. This is the way a 73 is you need to let me know if your year is the same. Lyle