78 Turn signal lever

[Douglas B.]

I have been trying to find the correct turn signal lever for my 78 coupe. The knob is broken on the original. I have received two incorrect ones so far. It is a December 77 build, 4 speed car without cruise. All the sources I have tried show a straight lever to be correct. My original has a 45 degree bend near the column end and angles back toward the steering wheel. Does anyone have an idea what is the correct replacement is?

Doug

[Steven B.]

Re: 78 Turn signal lever

Doug, my '78 SA was delivered Nov. 77 and has the "bent" arm. It is an auto, no cruise, and a tilt wheel. Your bent arm is correct. 'Try an ad in the Driveline and check ebay. I would also try the number of vendors who sell used parts and dismantlers. I am going to a swap meetnext week and if I find one I will let you know.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 78 Turn signal lever

I have been trying to find the correct turn signal lever for my 78 coupe. The knob is broken on the original. I have received two incorrect ones so far. It is a December 77 build, 4 speed car without cruise. All the sources I have tried show a straight lever to be correct. My original has a 45 degree bend near the column end and angles back toward the steering wheel. Does anyone have an idea what is the correct replacement is?

Doug

Doug-----


You didn't mention if the car has a tilt-tele wheel and it makes a difference.

However, from all that I can ascertain, either way you should have a straight turn signal lever. I have heard of this problem before, though, although I don't recall what the resolution was.

According to GM, there were 2 turn signal levers used for 1978 Corvettes WITHOUT cruise control. These were GM #475877 which may have been used for cars without tilt-tele wheel and GM #14009242 which was used for cars with tilt-tele wheel. GM #475877 was discontinued without supercession many years ago and I don't know its configuration. However, I THINK it was straight.

GM #14009242 is still available from GM. I don't know its configuration, either, but I THINK it's straight. 14009242 is a 1978-era part number and I don't think it's a supercession for the application.

[Joe L.]

Re: 78 Turn signal lever

I have been trying to find the correct turn signal lever for my 78 coupe. The knob is broken on the original. I have received two incorrect ones so far. It is a December 77 build, 4 speed car without cruise. All the sources I have tried show a straight lever to be correct. My original has a 45 degree bend near the column end and angles back toward the steering wheel. Does anyone have an idea what is the correct replacement is?

Doug

Doug-----


I think I MAY have figured this one out IF your car has a tilt-tele wheel. As it turns out, although GM #14009242 is a 1978-era part number, it's MAY NOT be the part originally used for 1978 Corvettes with tilt-tele and w/o cruise. GM #14009242 does have a predecessor part number and that part number is GM #470342. Although this part was never cataloged by GM for any Corvette, I SUSPECT it was the part originally used, and I also SUSPECT it was the "bent" arm configuration. It was replaced by the 14009242 in February, 1980, although the 14009242 was otherwise available well before that time for, perhaps, other applications.

[Douglas B.]

Re: 78 Turn signal lever

It does have tilt-tele column. It appears to be the original.

[Douglas B.]

Re: 78 Turn signal lever

Doug-----


I think I MAY have figured this one out IF your car has a tilt-tele wheel. As it turns out, although GM #14009242 is a 1978-era part number, it's MAY NOT be the part originally used for 1978 Corvettes with tilt-tele and w/o cruise. GM #14009242 does have a predecessor part number and that part number is GM #470342. Although this part was never cataloged by GM for any Corvette, I SUSPECT it was the part originally used, and I also SUSPECT it was the "bent" arm configuration. It was replaced by the 14009242 in February, 1980, although the 14009242 was otherwise available well before that time for, perhaps, other applications.

Thanks Joe. The 14009242 appears to be identical on the switch end. At least from the photos I have found. I guess that is what I will order. Hope I don't lose any points for it. Maybe I'll run across an original "bent arm" one sometime.

Doug