Look at this Dimple....

[gcburdic]

Hey guys....

Quick question....I picked this 67 swb frame up about a year ago for FREE It seems the frame has a small dimple for the steering box but doesn't seem to be as deep as other PS frames I've seen.....Am I gonna need to dimple this a little more for the PS setup I'll use??

Thanks for looking and any help!

[vectorit]

Egads! Where did that frame come from? Pulled up from the bottom of the ocean?

To me it looks like the steering gear that is on there currently, may be the wrong one since there is no boss going to that spot? Either that, or it has corroded away while at the bottom of the ocean...

[mr48chev]

I think the box is just loose and that bolt is missing. I think the earlier boxes that used the slave cylinder style power steering didn't have the dimple. There was a discussion a while back on that and the fix was either spacers or make your own dimple with a torch an a hammer. I'd vote for making my own dimple after I figured out how much space I needed.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Can't really tell from the pic, but it looks like it will need a little more "dimple" to work. Only way to know for 100% is to slap a new PS box on there

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by vectorit

Egads! Where did that frame come from? Pulled up from the bottom of the ocean?

To me it looks like the steering gear that is on there currently, may be the wrong one since there is no boss going to that spot? Either that, or it has corroded away while at the bottom of the ocean...

...Thanks vectorit....you guys in Cali are so spoiled...that's just surface rust around here

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I think the box is just loose and that bolt is missing. I think the earlier boxes that used the slave cylinder style power steering didn't have the dimple. There was a discussion a while back on that and the fix was either spacers or make your own dimple with a torch an a hammer. I'd vote for making my own dimple after I figured out how much space I needed.

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Can't really tell from the pic, but it looks like it will need a little more "dimple" to work. Only way to know for 100% is to slap a new PS box on there

Yeah....I agree with you guys....I think I'm gonna have to convince the newer PS box to fit.....it'll get the torch and BFH!!!
I don't want to use spacers!!!

[Classic Heartbeat]

The early manual steering gears only had 3 mounting bolts, that is why there is one hole left open. As for the frame needing dimpled... It will definetly need that. I think that once you remove the old steering gear and clean the chassis you will see that it is not dimpled at all. WES

[tasian]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

...Thanks vectorit....you guys in Cali are so spoiled...that's just surface rust around here

we're not spoiled we are just use to having the best for our trucks

[johnechi]

I just put in a 76' power steering box in my 67' C20. No frame alterations needed. I did need however trim away some of the radiator core support bracket and the driver side outer bumper bracket to fit. Works great!

[ChevLoRay]

I work with a guy who has a '67 that he bought new....w/o PS. Now that he is older, he's not got the same strength as he had so the installation of power steering got put on the front burner. We talked about the dimple factor. He said his frame had a dimple and he bought the steering box and all the other parts he would need off of a '72. Everything bolted up and it all works without modifications, according to him. He's happy.

[macyak]

I changed from manual to power on my 67 1/2 ton without any modifications to the frame. I did have to trim the inner fender and bumper bracket a bit. The power steering box and hoses were from a 1986 chevy.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Hmmmmmm, I have owned 14 67 Chevys, and 6 67 GMCs. None of witch had the dimple in the frame. Including my 67 Panel. I have even seen a couple of 68s that didn't have them. The one in the picture above does not have the dimple. WES

[ebfabman]

I'm with Wes. I've never seen a 67 with the dimple. Also seen a few 68's w/o em. Not saying it's not possible, just never seen it in 40 plus years.

[Diablo de la Noche]

Here is a pic that might help. It's the only one I can find for now, but you can clearly see that the power steering box is attached to it the frame at the spot I think you are talking about. It's on a 67, but that's about all I know.

[faribran]

my 67 came from the factory with manual steering... and i had to Dimple the frame to get a newer power steering box to fit.... along with trimming the mount in front of the steering box

[GMCPaul]

Wow every 67 frame I have and have had has no dimple where the steering gearbox attaches & several of our early 68's do not, are you all with 67 frames sure the frame is a 67? A 67 frame behind the motor mount runs straight back, 68 and up frame have a area that is cut away on inside edge to clear big blocks, so if your frame is all the same width on top behind drivers motor mount its a 67 if it dishes inward towards the outside of the frame its a 68 or later frame. Anyone looking to dimple the frame by heating and then beating with a hammer should use a extra steel plate on the inside of the frame to strengthen it where the bolts pass through the frame as when you heat it the metal loses strength and many end up a few years down the road with the metal tearing where the gearbox bolts to the frame due to the high stress found in this area.
GMCPaul