I see you guys are working on GMC's. Are they the same chassis and steering as the AD's?
I've watched post about this issue and I, myself, is at this crossroad.
I used a set of frame mounts from Chassis engineering and they work really nice. No crossmember to deal with. I currently have my 305 engine and 350 tranny bolted into the chassis. Last week I "held up" my steering sector and column to see how much it was off. Like HotRodDad says its about an inch but to get the plug wire on #3 cylinder I'll have to "offset" the steering box about
1 1/2 inches.
Since the previous owner completely reworked the front axle I decided to keep it. Most folks can deal with the steering its finding a set of headers that will clear and look good.
So far on the bolt I've read where a set of 1991 (I think) Corvette headers will work....also someone here suggest and I believe they actually used, a set of the "ram" syle 283 engine headers. I have a set of block huggers on my 37 that worked and will see if that is the way to go on my AD Panel.
Hot Rod Dad: I'm a little confused when you say "shimming" the steering over. From what I see on my AD is that I just need to make a plate, lets say 3" wide, and attach it in the place of the original bolts through the chassis. THEN drill holes to set the sector over the 1 1/2 inches.
According to a stovebolter in an earlier post he said that when doing this it changed the position of the steering wheel very little and it was not noticeable. I suppose its due to the "pivot point" being up close to the steering wheel where it bolts under the dash....Although I did read where another bolter heated the firewall wall cherry red and pushed the column over where it would be straight in line and it was also not detectable. The difference here is if you move the gear box the steering wheel "goes toward the center and if you heat and move the firewall and move the entire column over then the steering wheel moves toward the drivers door.
It may not mean much either way but TWO questions remain in my mind. 1)which set headers will work and #2) if you move the steering gear box over 1 1/2 inch will it effect the steering arms....meaning the pittman arm and the drag link?
As I go forward I guess I'll find out. I think it all depends on where the engine is positioned. After all I've done I think I should have pulled the engine forward another inch or two...BECAUSE as it is I am most likely going to have to use a SMALL HEI distributor as the instructions with the motor mounts said the big distributor will be to tight against the firewall.
This I will not confirm or deny until I actually set the body back on the chassis.
If you go to the second page of my photobucket you can see the engine mounts I used. I know this is long but its also something I think most of us encounter with the V8 in the AD frames!
OH....as for the steering it has also been said that a Toyota steering box can be made to work with out much trouble and you can have power steering. I think it was a steering of a 4x4.
http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52panel/
