Steering Column Collar/Quarter extension welding

[Royce Brown]

I'm converting to the dial shifter for the 8hp70 in my 69 Coronet 5.7 swap. I'm going to locate it in the dash and recess it in the space currently occupied by the ashtray. This car originally had an auto column shifter. I've removed it and from what I can tell everybody just uses jb weld to fill it. My questions: Is this collar aluminum and could I just fill it with a 4043 TIG rod and a small patch? Also, is the quarter panel extension also aluminum and could I fill a hole in it with the TIG welder? Mine has a hole less than the size of a dime. I keep seeing conflicting opinions on what metal was actually used for these parts. Some say Aluminum and others say pot metal. Has anyone done any welding on these parts?

 

[Sahara]

Pretty sure that both pieces are pot metal. At least they were on my ‘70.

 

[493 Mike]

It seems like some company was making floor shift castings to replace those column shift castings. Do a little research.
Mike

 

[Royce Brown]

It seems like some company was making floor shift castings to replace those column shift castings. Do a little research.
Mike

I saw those but they are $135. I can JB weld and paint my existing one for a lot less. If I could TIG it then the cost would be next to nothing.

 

[493 Mike]

I saw those but they are $135. I can JB weld and paint my existing one for a lot less. If I could TIG it then the cost would be next to nothing.

Please let me know when you find some zinc filler rod!
Mike

 

[Royce Brown]

Please let me know when you find some zinc filler rod!
Mike

If it's pot metal then I won't be TIG welding it. I'll just use the JB weld. Do you actually know for sure if these are pot metal?

 

[493 Mike]

If it's pot metal then I won't be TIG welding it. I'll just use the JB weld. Do you actually know for sure if these are pot metal?

They are much heavier than aluminum would be and cheaper to manufacture, so were chosen for this application due to lower cost and enough strength to be reliable.
Mike