best way to indent frame for PS -

[dan42]

I have to do it to my '67, but I was wondering if anyone had an easy way to do it... it looks as if you would have to take the fender off and heat up the frame, and start whacking away, but someone must have come up with something a little easier than that. I don't want to shim it because they steer a little different when you do that. What is the procedure that some of you guys have done, and how has it worked for you??

[Riveted1]

I'm interested in this as well. Gotta fix what the P.O. didn't do the first time around. I have been told the only way to do it is like u said. Heat it up and hit it.

[whatnow123]

Heat and BFH is probably the only way.

I'm a bit confused on shifting the box over a 1/4 of an inch how that would make it a noticeable steering difference. I understand it could, but somehow doubt this much would be noticeable. In theory I know there is built in play in the wheel, but couldn't that be "corrected" at the tie rod level if this was the case? Couldn't heating the frame and beating on it do the same thing? It could twist the box instead of staying on plain and create the same problem. .

Hum.. this got me thinking.

[dan42]

Honestly, all I'm going on is guys that have shimmed their boxes on this site have commented that the steering is a little "twitchy" and does not return to center very well. I've never driven one with the shims, but my '70 is from the factory PS and doesn't have the twitchy feel - it's very smooth. I guess I just don't want to get it together and have it not steer right. As for tweeking the steering box, I don't think that would disturb the frame that much, but I also though about notching the frame out a little, and that would not disturb the "straightness" of the frame, I'm guessing.

[lolife99]

Just an idea,... Could you notch the frame and weld in a "half round" piece of tubing or pipe, vertically into the frame, directly behind the steering box hump?. I also have a '67 frame,... and have been worried about this. I even thought about cutting the correct piece out of a later model (68-72) frame and splicing it back in. Now,... with Porterbuilts "Dropmember" available,... I think I'll switch to a rack. I guess I have to buy a Dropmember now.

[HavinSomeFun]

does anyone have pics of the 67 frame without and one with to see the difference?

I am in the same situation.

[whatnow123]

Originally Posted by HavinSomeFun

does anyone have pics of the 67 frame without and one with to see the difference?

I believe there are 3 different frames, but I could be wrong. Longhorn man will know if he see's this thread, but I believe the following to be true.

Early 67 is a completely flat frame

late 67 and early 68 they had the raised attachment points

Late 68 and on they had the raised attachment points and the "divot" for the box.

I could be wrong and probably am on the above.

I would think that if you got the wheel lined up in the "sweet spot" of the steering box and adjusted the tie rods accordingly, I don't think there would be a problem at all other than a very small difference in full turning radius between the two sides with the wheel cranked.

I spaced mine out, as I have the frame with the raised mounting points with no divot, but I haven't driven it yet and have nothing to go on.

[502tripower]

I have done a number of these and have never bothered with modifying the frame. I have allways just machined some spacers and welded them to the frame then mounted the box. Steering box that is.... drives like a charm..

[dan42]

So, you don't notice a difference for the steering since it's no longer centered? There is no twitchy-ess, and it returns to center o.k.?

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by dan42

So, you don't notice a difference for the steering since it's no longer centered? There is no twitchy-ess, and it returns to center o.k.?

have you ever looked at a street rod steering shaft???? No problems...

[John Fabris]

Here is a thread if you look at post #11 you will see the difference in the 67 frame and the 68-72 frame.

LINK

[passthebuck]

My fender was on while I heated & bumped my frame in. It was pretty easy actually...

[68gmsee]

I have one each. 68 GMC and 69 Chevy. The chevy has the indent and the GMC does not and I converted both to p.s.

On the GMC, I used washers to shim it and have not had any problem with the steering. I can't tell a bit of difference between them. The steering wheel alignment is a little off on the GMC but that can be corrected by adjusting tie rod ends.

I will say that someone mentioned the stress on the upper seal caused by alignment may cause the p.s. gearbox to leak. Mine leaks slightly but not sure if it was doing that before or since I installed it.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

I have one each. 68 GMC and 69 Chevy. The chevy has the indent and the GMC does not and I converted both to p.s.

On the GMC, I used washers to shim it and have not had any problem with the steering. I can't tell a bit of difference between them. The steering wheel alignment is a little off on the GMC but that can be corrected by adjusting tie rod ends.

I will say that someone mentioned the stress on the upper seal caused by alignment may cause the p.s. gearbox to leak. Mine leaks slightly but not sure if it was doing that before or since I installed it.

That's what I was looking for. Thank you very much. GMC Paul's makes a plate/PS conversion shim kit for '67's that I'm going to try out. If I don't like the steering, I'll change it to the dent style. I have a '70 with PS that I can compare it to, so when I get it together, I'll start a thread and let you know how it steers.