That 45 year old plastic does not hold it anyway. It's too brittle. Leave it a little long and when you put it back together, you can adjust it then. I just did an e body that way. These old columns have all been messed with. I left the column apart and slid it in the the car. I stabbed the steering box and got it right. Then I tapped on the rod to get it to length to assemble it. This one was assembled so short, it pulled out of the greased joint that attaches to the box. That would have beef fun at high speeds!