1965 Chevy Malibu - Signal Intentions Chp Step By Step

Early Chevelle ('64-66) turn-signal switches come in two types: the cast BPC unit on the left, and the mostly plastic guide unit on the right. There's no rule of thumb to determine which type your column will take-whichever version came out, that's what needs to go back in.

With that issue determined, we fed the wires of our BPC unit back through the bowl section of our column and began routing them down the column.

You'll know when the BPC turn-signal switch is properly situated, thanks to the locating pin (arrow) and two securing screws.

With the turn-signal switch in place, we temporarily removed the column support strap, routed the wires, and put the repainted wire cover plate into place before bolting the strap back up.

After the Malibu's long-disused turn-signal lever was reattached, a new cancel cam went into place atop the new turn-signal switch, followed by the steering-wheel tension spring.

We did have one slight hitch, however. Our repro steering-wheel adapter's "legs" were too short for the Malibu's horn-button adapter and horn ring, which kept the horn from functioning properly.

Although the original adapter was broken it could be reused, so we did just that. Be sure to check this out before trashing your original piece. If the repro height won't work and the original item is too far gone, one option would be to build up the height of the repro piece with plastic washers.

With the steering wheel bolted into place, we would've had way too much space between the wheel and the column, but John Harrigan, owner of our subject Mali SS, had a nice trick to take care of that.

Harrigan used a pair of channel locks to compress the rag joint (the pliers are used on the metal only). Besides tightening up the rag joint, this pull compressed the steering-wheel spring, bringing the wheel closer to the column.

With the column now in place, Harrigan reached up to tighten the steering-shaft clamp against the bronze bushing, holding the shaft in place and providing the proper 11/416-inch clearance between the steering wheel and the column. With the adapter clip set in place, we were all but set.

All that was left was to replace the lower dash insert, giving us a nice, clean look to go with our cleaned-up column. The rest of this Mali is still rough, but after just a day's work we've got a properly functioning, tightened-up steering column and working turn signals.