Ok guys so Im restoring a 67 442 for my father in law and I just put in the newly powdered coated steering column and I have some major clearance issues. He had done some research and told me to put in a 72 chevelle steering box because it has a better ratio than the 442 had in 67. Its running some ceramic coated dynomax headers. The problem Im having is that it will clear the header on the flat side of the steering rod but not on the round side. Has anyone ran into this. I bought another set of motor mounts but have not put them in. I will try and get some pictures posted here in a bit to give a visual reference. Thanks guys.

 

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Have not run into this situation but perhaps the steering column can be positioned over just a bit otherwise its time to ding that header tube.

 

X2 on the above suggestion, and i'll add you may clear it with new mounts. You may also be able to add a spacer plate on each side to raise the engine a small amount.

 

Unfortunately that is the way they fit in a 66 or 67. You will have to 'massage' the header tubes a bit to provide ample clearance.

 

The 1964-67 chassis is about 1.5" narrower than for the 68-72 cars. If those headers were designed for a 68-72, that's the problem.

And there is no external difference between the steering boxes. I suspect there is no internal difference either. You really want a quick-ratio rebuild from Power Steering Services.

 

Brand new Hookers built for a 66 fit the same way. There just isn't enough room there. The other side (PS) has an issue with the rear of the upper control arm. Have to grind a bit on the top to create clearance.

 

You could also have the exhaust side of the heads milled down to the center divider. Headers fit much better with this mod. Did this to my 67 vert.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the info. I think the route I'm going to have to go is dimpleing the header. I really hat to but you do what u have to. What's the best way to dimple a header?

 

I use the ball of a BFH.

 

Haha yeah I was thinking maybe taking it to the local machine shop and having them put it in the press if we could get it setup right.

 

Mark where you want the dings. If these are thin wall headers it doesnt take much to ding them and the machine shop may be overkill. The hammer method works well.

 

Yeah I will mark it first and try here in the shop.

 

You could use a deep well socket to get a nice cylindrical dent in the header tube. Remove the steering shaft hold the deep well socket along the same axis as the steering shaft and whack it with a 5 lb. hammer until you have enough clearance. I think a 13/16" or 7/8" socket would do the trick. Should make a nice clean dent.

 

I've done this several times, makes anise dent that looks like it is suppose to be there.

 

I mark it and turn a ball peen hammer so the ball is against the mark and whack it with another hammer.

 

Be somewhat gentle with those headers, that coating can chip....... the press may not be a bad idea.

 

That's what I'm worried about.

 

You have more pics of the car? what I see looks nice!

 

Yeah I do let me load them into photobucket so I can load them on here.

 

The day we got here home.

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Looking very good!! I really like that color!

 

Sweet ride!

 

Thanks guys yeah he picked that color out. Its not original color but its a 1967 olds paint code. The frame was fully powder coated.

 

OK so we have made the decision to dimple the header. What is the best method to dimple a header tube. I have to dimple two tubes and I want it to look good and not like crap since they are an expensive set of ceramic coated headers.

 

IMG_20141003_171922_zpsrpmc7emu.jpgSo I pulled the header and dimpled two tubes. It turned out good and cured the clearance issue.

 

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You might want to widen, not deepen the dimple to allow for frame flex and engine movement.

 

Yeah. Well actually I did that but didn't snap a picture of it before I installed them. If I need to I can pull them back out. It was pretty easy getting them out.

 

Very nice looking ride! I believe thats Antique Pewter great color. Cant wait to see more, If you need the dash done, and you may already know this but another member here Ron Roth restores them. His work is awesome!!! Theres alot of members here who have used him on their 66 and 67 cars. Im building a 67 too, please keep more pics coming, its good inspiration!
Thanks for the pics
Steve

 

You are absolutely right it is antique pewter. Yeah I think we will be having Ron do a dash for us but the plan is to get the outside completely finished then to the interior and with my work schedule right now its hard to find time to work on. Place having two little ones under 3 doesn't help haha.

 

I detailed my engine bay and it does take some time for upkeep like yours is done. I also used imediatley after 1800 to 2000 degree vht paint that is close to the header color. I called them and found out that there paint can be cooked and considered a real good deterent of rust. I also used a small pry bar carefully for dimpling very carefully.