Olds steering column swap

[Guest Prairie Viking]

I am working on a '49 Olds with a 3-speed.  I think the shift tube is all screwed up, no amount of manipulation will get the transmission into neutral.  I have a chance at a derelict  '53 Olds with a 303 and Hydra-matic.  I know the engine and transmission will drop right in the '49, but will the steering column swap out as well?  Or, should I look for a '49-'50 automatic column?  Either way, it looks to be a major pain to remove the steering column.  The shop manual doesn't cover that for some odd reason.

[rocketraider]

In those years, the steering shaft was part of the steering box and the shaft went from box to steering wheel- unlike later cars with a rag joint. The whole mess has to come out from the bottom.

 

I can't help you on column interchange but I would think there shouldn't be that much difference in them up thru about 1955.