I just installed a used 69 manual steering box on my 63 Valiant and I am having trouble installing the steering column.

It's not going all the way on the steering box's splined input shaft.

The coupler goes over the first section of splines, then stops on the second set with about 1/4 inch to go.

I backed the steering shaft off and applied anti-seize, but it gets stuck at the same spot.

I have an FSM, but I can't find anything that helps.
Is there a more detailed drawing of the 60s A-body Mopar steering column somewhere?

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end

I am working off of memory... is there a clamp & bolt at the end of the coupler? If so, the bolt has to be removed for the splines to engage fully.
DD

Yes.
I slid the clamp off completely and it still wouldn't move.
I am going to pull the steering column and bring it and the old steering box indoors so I can work on it next weekend.

It was hard to disengage from the old box too.

We only have 3 hours of light and 20 hours of rain a day this time of year in Seattle, but if I can work on it indoors I should be able to fix it.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end

I've not worked on a '63, but some later ones certainly have a tendancy for the little sliders in the coupler to break; a broken piece could easily prevent proper engagement. The factory cap is very difficult to install, but I remember somebody made a rubber replacement that I'd certainly get before I tackle that again.

Sounds like the coupler was not indexed correctly onto the "double-wide", key slot and now there is some spline damage.

Remove the parts and look for the key area... you may have to file any damage to get the spline to engage freely again.
DD

Couldn't see any shiney, freshly carved metal.

Did a 360 degree inspection of the steering box shaft, but it figures it would be made out of the harder metal.
I spun the steering column too, but only could see part of it and not the best angle.
I will get a better view of the coupler's internal splines once I have the steering column out.

Right now, it looks like I will have to do my first half-assed half-shaft replacement on my work vehicle, an 86 Tercel 2WD Wagon, this weekend.

And because the Valiant's steering is not 100%, I will not have a vehicle to do emergency parts and tool runs.

If I have time left over Sunday, I will pull the mopar steering column and put it under some bright lights.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end

Well, I pulled the steering column and examined the splines on it and the old steering box under decent lighting.

Got the wheels pointing directly ahead, and the shaft went all the way in on the new box.
Splined for her pleasure.

Now the clamp is gone.
Checked the mud. Raked the muddy leaves. Searched two PullaParts for 60-70s A-bodies.
Nothin.

Got the half-shaft on the Tercel, though.
Turned out easier than I thought.

Kind of worry about it flying off after seeing what holds it in.

Had the same fear about the Valiant's rear 7 1/4 axle shafts after pulling them to replace bearings a few years ago.

After a few months, the fear goes away.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end

I am looking for a steering coupler clamp.
What years used the clamp like on a 63?

Were they also used on B-bodies or trucks or anything?

Were they used in 60s A-100 vans? I thought I saw a picture of one once.

This is the type of smaller coupler that connects to the steering box with a separate clamp and clamp bolt, instead of a roll pin.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end

Made my own temporary clamp.

A famous Mopar yard near Portland, Oregon wants 35 dollars, plus shipping!

I am going to start collecting these, because they are appreciating in value faster than gold or silver!

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After looking under and around the car, probing with a magnet, moving the car a carlength away and checking the ground,
and installing two substitute clamps,
I found it.

Started it and revved the engine a few times and drove it a few miles.

There it was, on the ground, when I got back

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BTW, a Dodge pickup tie-rod sleeve clamp will work with a little filing.
The inside diameter is about .9 inch and the coupler o.d. is 1.0 inch.

Open up the 5/16 bolt holes, working towards the center, with a rat tail file to fit a 7/16 bolt.
Then open up the clamp at the inner ends of the C with a big flat or rounded file.

Using a couple of pliers, stretch it wide enough to fit over the coupler and close it with channel-lock or other big pliers.

Test fit and repeat until bolt rides through groove between the two splined sections like the original.

The red lines indicate where I removed material with files.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end