Column shift lever delete

I have a 71 2 door that’s I’ve converted from C4 to AOD and a tunnel mounted ratchet shifter. Now I need to remove the column shift lever and replace the column collar.

Finding the column collar is eluding me. I’m sure a few of you have been through this, what did you find or how did you make it work?

thanks,
Bob

 

Good bit of info incl part number here...

Could remove collar, cut shift mount and epoxy up opening. Sand & paint as necessary.

http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/steering-column-collar-interchange-for-1971.103484/

 

I did as Krazy suggested... cut shift mount and epoxy up opening, Sand & paint as necessary.... but didn't remove collar to do it.

 

I did the same thing to my 3-speed column but I also took the column apart and removed the internal shifter tubes.

 

I also disengaged the ...steering wheel key lock mechanism (lever). I did this after it fell down and locked the steering wheel while I was driving...

 

Sounds like epoxy and paint is it. Thanks all.

 

I purchased a used 71-73 Mustang column online and removed/used the collar from that. It was identical to the Maverick/Comet except for the column shift handle provision of course.

 

The right way to do it is to get the sleeve from a column that originally came from a car with
a floor-shifter. Of course they are harder to find now than they were 30 years ago when
I converted mine. In any case, I wouldn't use epoxy. Get some body panel adhesive tape to cover the hole with from the inside. Then use body filler on the outside...

 

Similar to how I filled the hole, a wad of aluminum foil inside the hole and cover it with All Metal body filler. Sand, prime, and paint. I think my 3-speed collar was different than those for an automatic trans, the hole had some depth to it.