29 Tudor steering column question

[fred93]

The steering column on the 29 Tudor that I am restoring has a 1/2" gap between the steering wheel and the upper bushing. Someone told me that I had the wrong shaft in the column. They said that the shorter shaft is 1 inch shorter.

I'm wondering, if the gap is 1/2", won't a 1 inch shorter shaft be a problem (is that too short--seems like I need a 1/2" shorter shaft OR I need to adjust the column so it comes up about 1/2") ????

Also---how far down is the column supposed to slide over the steering box???

Is the gap at the steering box that is shown in my pix okay????

See pictures please