Look at this Dimple.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gcburdic · 04-02-2010, 11:58 PM

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 · 04-03-2010, 01:14 AM

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 · 04-03-2010, 01:46 AM

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 · 04-03-2010, 02:14 AM

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 · 04-03-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

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

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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** · 04-03-2010, 12:12 PM

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 · 04-03-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

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 · 04-03-2010, 06:08 PM

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 · 04-03-2010, 06:16 PM

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 · 04-03-2010, 06:22 PM

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** · 04-03-2010, 08:28 PM

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 · 04-03-2010, 09:53 PM

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 · 04-04-2010, 04:26 AM

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 · 04-04-2010, 04:36 AM

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** · 04-04-2010, 06:47 AM

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

04-02-2010, 11:58 PM	#1
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,298	Look at this Dimple.... 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! Attached Images __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

04-03-2010, 01:14 AM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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... __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU Last edited by vectorit; 04-03-2010 at 01:17 AM.

04-03-2010, 01:46 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,443	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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.

04-03-2010, 02:14 AM	#4
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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 __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

04-03-2010, 12:12 PM	#6
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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 __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

04-03-2010, 06:08 PM	#8
johnechi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 159	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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!

04-03-2010, 06:16 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

04-03-2010, 06:22 PM	#10
macyak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 11	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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.

04-03-2010, 08:28 PM	#11
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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 __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

04-03-2010, 09:53 PM	#12
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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.

04-04-2010, 04:26 AM	#13
Diablo de la Noche Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 142	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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. Attached Images __________________ www.coolmoodart.com

04-04-2010, 04:36 AM	#14
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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 __________________ "

04-04-2010, 06:47 AM	#15
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,719	Re: Look at this Dimple.... 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 __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM



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