Visual upgrade for your Chevy

By Jim McGowan

The steering wheel and dashboard are the two items in your Chevy that you see constantly while driving. They just won’t get out of your way! Since you’re the captive audience of these parts, they should look as cool as possible. We followed a Grant Products steering wheel upgrade, being installed in a restomod ’67 Camaro convertible. The owner always envied the later model factory Rosewood steering wheel, which was optionally available, and decided to find an attractive substitute. This new three-spoke beauty (#973, 14.5-inch diameter, 3-inch dish)) from Grant Products was the choice. It replicates the style and design of the original, and provides a great look and feel while cruising.

The steering column in this Camaro is the stock GM tilt variety, which requires a specific Grant Installation Kit (#3162). Prior to the install, the owner had the metal collar, which is provided in the kit and comes in black, painted in the same blue as the interior. The installation is straightforward utilizing normal hand tools, and the instructions are easy to figure out, even for a novice car person. You’ll probably need a steering wheel puller, which is available from Grant or most auto parts stores, and is inexpensive. Baring unforeseen problems, the install should only take 30 minutes or less, and as you can see, the results are worth every minute.

Believe it or not, this is an old Grant wheel that has been wrapped in red leather years ago. It was a little rough and definitely the wrong color for the Camaro’s blue interior.

The Grant three-spoke wheel will be a beautiful addition to this vehicle. It comes with everything necessary for a simple installation and includes easy to follow printed instructions. Before starting, disconnect the battery and make sure the front wheels are straight.

This is the original horn contact ring with the pressure spring beneath it. After removing the steering wheel, this is one of the first parts you’ll find. Carefully remove it with out damage.

The mounting hub that is included in the installation kit is now fitted over the original horn contact and both will now be installed over the spring and onto the steering shaft.

Notice the small notch in the steering shaft just above the threads, and the small arrow and TOP on the Grant mounting hub. Lining up both of these indicators will insure the steering wheel and front wheels will be straight.

Slightly tighten the retaining nut against the hub to hold the assembly in place against the spring. Once it is secure remove the retaining nut.

Follow the instruction for the horn contact plunger according to the type of horn contact in your steering column. A new plunger is supplied in the kit and will work for most GM horn contact types.

After modifying the plunger for your installation, insert the small spring into the tower protruding through the installation hub.

The plunger is then inserted against the spring and seated against the hub with the wire coming toward you.

Use a small piece of masking tape to hold the plunger and spring in position in the hub. This will allow you to install the column cap without fighting the spring trying to push out the contact plunger.

The column cap, or steering post cover, comes in black and can be painted to match your steering column color. The contact wire is threaded through the cap as shown.

Now the steering wheel is positioned on the cap and a couple of the retaining bolts hand tightened. This will hold the cap and wheel in position while you install the retaining nut and tighten to 25-30 ft. lbs of torque.

After securing the retaining nut, remove the bolts in preparation for installing the new Grant contactor ring assembly.

The horn contactor assembly is installed with the fiber side facing up and the circular cutouts positioned above the bolt holes.

The three shoulder bolts are now installed and torqued to 10-12 ft. lbs. The contact wire can be routed around the retaining nut and slipped over the contact pin on the contactor assembly. The steering wheel and assembly are now securely attached to the shaft and column.

The supplied spring is now positioned over the nub of the steering shaft and the horn center cap snaps tightly over the contactor assembly. The interior of this ’67 Camaro drop top is still under construction, but it’s very close to hitting the road with this great looking new wheel.

The finished product speaks for itself!

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