67 frame modifications to fit power steering gearbox

[VA72C10]

I've read many threads on here and the "have to dimple" or not vs run spacers or not....

seems the issue there is yeaqr/stlye of power steering box. I can say for a fact my frame has the raised bosses on it but the 73-up box I have won't fit without dimpling the frame....or adding spacers. Since I didn't want any effect on steering geometry I dimpled the frame.

That was easy enough with a plumbing mapp gas canister and a big hammer....

Now...I have interference at the core support mount. I've read a bunch of threads on this and never saw anyone mention that. Itks not a hbuge deal as I can cut the offending piece off without affecting the strength or function of the mount.....just curious if anyone else has run into this issue?
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[VA72C10]

Pics shiwing my 70 "dimpled" frame vs 67 without but both have the raised bosses...
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[VA72C10]

Note both are manual boxes in these pictures...

The power box is bigger...causing the frame interference
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[midniteblues]

on the kids 67 he trimmed the core support and bumper bracket slightly too clear the ps box

[VA72C10]

Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one....now to mock up the bumper with bracket to see how much I have to trim off that...thanks for mentioning that!
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[Chvy2NV]

Would like to see more on this. I'll be doing the same real soon.
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[HotRod C/10]

I'm in the same boat fellas.

[VA72C10]

I will post up some pictures when I do the cuts and get it installed...
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[nds1968]

I had to trim the mount also on my 67 frame. Nate

[MKBreadfan]

Nearly to this point in my frame build, and I was wondering if anyone had a link to the old thread where a member has an adapter plate he sells that negates the need for dimpling? I'm having trouble finding it.

I know that VA72C10 didn't want to change up the geometry much, but I'm just weighing the options here.

[ksucatz]

Are you talking about this one
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332923

[RocketKing]

I also trimmed my radiator mount after I had to dimple the frame.

[Rusbuilt]

I didn't have to dimple my frame but I had to cut the support as well! Its hard to tell in this picture but you can see how close the steering box is to the to where the support is.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I've read many threads on here and the "have to dimple" or not vs run spacers or not....

seems the issue there is yeaqr/stlye of power steering box. I can say for a fact my frame has the raised bosses on it but the 73-up box I have won't fit without dimpling the frame....or adding spacers. Since I didn't want any effect on steering geometry I dimpled the frame.

That was easy enough with a plumbing mapp gas canister and a big hammer....

Now...I have interference at the core support mount. I've read a bunch of threads on this and never saw anyone mention that. Itks not a hbuge deal as I can cut the offending piece off without affecting the strength or function of the mount.....just curious if anyone else has run into this issue?
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I guess i just got lucky with my 67...just bolted on an ECE quick ratio PS unit and moved on. No dimples and no mods to the core support.

[Street Smart]

I swapped out the power assist ram set up in my `67. I picked up a P.S. box from a late `80s pickup. I smoothed the box a little and added a couple of good washers. It was about 10 years ago and still in there. I think i had to trim the bumper bracket aswell.

[VA72C10]

Just shows there are obviously a lot of different sized ps boxes and also frames might be slightly different....
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[John Fabris]

Same here, dimpled frame and trimmed core support mount for gearbox clearance. Noticed that 68 and later also have the trimmed core support mount from factory.

[Rob H.]

I read on this thread some the other day and was out around my 67 donor truck today, I was surprised when the day I pulled the engine and discovered it didn't have the ram system as I'd thought since I've had it. Today I was looking at the frame and saw that it had dimples for the PS box, so I'm curious, is it really a 67 frame or was the 67 body put on a later frame?

[VA72C10]

What do the frame mounts for the rad support look like? Also just further up closer to the cab on the top of the frame rail is a stamped vin so you can see if that matches your truck
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[midniteblues]

another indicator would be the top of the frame rail around the engine would be a lil' wider than any other year.
unless someone cut it out too fit headers
this is something you wouldnt notice unless you have another frame too compare it too.

perhaps the po already dimpled your frame for the ps box

[Chvy2NV]

The dimple they are referring to is an curved or indented part of the frame. Not the four little bumps where the bolts go thru.

Also Jonathan. Can you explain a little more as for the whole geometry thing..

Originally Posted by Rob H.

I read on this thread some the other day and was out around my 67 donor truck today, I was surprised when the day I pulled the engine and discovered it didn't have the ram system as I'd thought since I've had it. Today I was looking at the frame and saw that it had dimples for the PS box, so I'm curious, is it really a 67 frame or was the 67 body put on a later frame?

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[VA72C10]

I am not an engineer but I know that some who are more familiar with steering geometry have posted that even the small spacers throw off the geometry of the steering. The box and pitman arm being moved from their intended location changes the leverage and angle of how the arm interracts with the steering linkage...not sure if it affects alignment but I'd imagine it would...

I took some pictures and will post next week.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I explain what we had to do on this page of our 67 panel project build. You will find most of what you guys are talking about there.
http://www.classicheartbeat.com/panel_5.htm

What happens when you use spacers on your frame to mount the steering gear is you "Off Center" your steering. When you are driving down the street with a steering gear in it's normal mounting possition your gear runs in its center point. What that allows is a little movement from you steering wheel right to left without actualy turning the wheels.
When you shim the steering gear off the frame so you can mount it, your gear will then half to run off center to keep you driving strait down the road. This happens because you are actualy pulling your tie rod to the left because of the shimms it took to mount the gear.
Now in order to drive strait, you are actualy turning slightly right and you are no longer in the center of the gear. The problem with that is any slight movement in the steering wheel is immediatly transfered to your wheels causing your truck to move to the right or left. Not very confertible at lets say 70mph. The other problem that occures is that in order to turn left you have to turn past the center part of the gear befor it actualy will turn. Combine just those 2 problems and it is a recipe for disaster. The last problem is not nearly as bad as the first 2 and that is your truck will turn sharper to the right than it will to the left. That is because the bumpstops will stop you from turning befor you gear is at max left turn. WES

[midniteblues]

hey wes thanks for splaining that I know what i will/wont be doing when that time comes.

[Captainfab]

In my opinion, adding the spacers to a '67 frame or the adapter plates to the '60-'66's does not actually change the steering geometry enough to worry about on most of the street driven trucks. Granted, the addition of the spacers or adapter plate does move the steering box out from the frame. While this does change the position of the pitman arm when wheels are straight, a front end alignment by a competent tech, will return the draglink to very near it's original location. This will also nearly equalize the left and right turning radius.