I'm not sure thats quite so simple. I can't tell for sure from your description atm but when you say the "right section of column" (I think meaning the upper bearing housing) that doesnt sound likely to be interchangeable with the column you're describing?.
You might like to have a look at this thread http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/s...eering-columns
Ozbox has a good thread on identifying different columns with helpful photos somewhere on the site, but when I just looked then, I couldnt find it, it may be in a different section for some reason now.
OK, basically here's the issue, as I imagine you realise, the larger holes were to incorporate the upgrade from HJ to HX by incorporating a combination washer wiper rotational switch to the indicator stalk. If you have this stalk fitted and it does operate the wipers in your HJ, then some rewiring has gone on with the steering column change. If you have the HJ style indicator stalk (slim with no rotational switch) sticking through the larger hole, then I dunno, I've never checked to see if this can fit without modification to the indicator assembly in the housing, perhaps it would, I dont know. If you have the thicker HX indicator stalk with the washer wiper switch but it does not operate the washer wiper, then it probably just a steering column change for some reason at some point.
But I'm taking the time to post this here because I think you could waste a few, or many dollars just trying to change the upper bearing housing and ignition lock and finding a series of mis-matches. They dont all fit, they dont all match, quite deliberately, but are so close to identical by eye, theres a few an easy mistakes you can make. The upper bearing housing (which houses the ignition lock) does not fit on all columns. HQ and HJ might be interchangeable (from memory only), but awhh really cant remember, maybe not, HJ to HX I am almost certain will not, and WB (from memory) is a seperate arrangement all together. With these slight changes, the angle of the ignition lock into the bearing housing also changes along the way, the rotation of the cam gear on the ignition lock also changes.
This means that having bought the parts you think will fit you find that your new (40 bucks) ignition barrel fits in the housing, but wont rotate as needed, as it binds on its cam. Also, at some point - WB? but may have been earlier or both, the alignment of the four screws (long screw in pins) also changes, so when you place the mismatched bearing housing on the column you will see they wont go in straight. If a person trys to keep screwing them in, they will in all likelihood wreck the threads in the column or on the pins, which are designed to be tourque sensitive. (These parts are getting valuable now, we all need good ones so, good parts for swaps/sale are always possible, I may have something that fits, and I may need something you have but, I'm working on so many projects atm, might take me a while to get back, but lets see what this thread turns up).
It may help to know the worst (and most expensive) mistake I think that happens from time to time is when people to attempt to remanufacture or cut and bend the steering column to fit a mismatching upper bearing housing, (that is attempting to adjust the fish net presed cowl or tube that runs up the inside of the column to fit!) This is really not a good idea if you find your parts dont match and are tempted. This is one of the biggest saftey features on the car. A column I pulled off a car that had been driveable had this attempted, and when I saw Ozbox's thread a few months after it was exactly the same as a photo he had shown. The steering column I discovered would not have been able to collapse at all had it been needed to, even though the person before me had evidently seemed to consider this. My advise, dont mangle that!! (You may however be unlucky and find it has been when you get there though - in which case a full rebuild is the best - if only - option).
It's a pity I could find ozbox's thread to reference here. It had some good pictures, it should be in steering and suspension, but I couldn't see it there this morning. It's gotta be on the site somewhere. Anyway, just letting you know, the steering column parts model to model are not all interchangeable, and you do want it right, its supposed to collapse, (just in case) its a good thing to get right.
Looking forward to a pic or two, I may have some parts for swaps as you go, I dunno, didnt check your location! I'm sure others will have steering column parts for swaps as well. Might be worth a pic or two before you spend any dollars on things that wont fit!
Best of luck, see how you go, pics are useful and interesting, I just got a strong feeling that not gonna fit. BTW, GM created an improved anti theft (single tab) ignition barrel to suit most models around the late 90's ( I have one that I bought from Holden to fit LH Torana, that later fitted my HJ, but I dont think would fit my HX's - havent tried). Feel free to PM me, I have a a couple of earlier steering columns still intact, but gotta work out whats what etc.
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