Heated and straightened pitman arm for clearence

[Motown 454]

Hi I have a friand he has a 68 Camaro . He's put a 509 in it with a drag oil pan . He needed roon to fit it so he notched the frame. When he went to put the center link back on it hit the oil pan. He heated the pitman arm and idler arm and straightened the out to lower the center link . I told him he was asking for trouble because he took the temper out of the metal. What other problems will he have . More bump steer ? and is there a safe way to do drop the center link? Thanks
__________________
Wayne

[LowBuckX]

Useing the correct oil pan comes to mind

[Motown 454]

He put a full drag pan in it.

[Kokamo]

Steering parts and a torch are two items on a car that should NEVER come together. It's just a general safety rule. Please talk some sense into him and ask him to do it right. It might save his life or someone elses.

Yes, you are correct, it take the temper out of the material and could develop a crack over usage......you just never know where or when it's going to happen.

Joe

[LowBuckX]

He put a full drag pan in it.
There are "full drag" pans made to fit that chassis

[1969CamaroRS]

...take the temper out of the material and could develop a crack over usage......you just never know where or when it's going to happen...

Yeah, that would scare me about doing this as well.

[Vegas69]

There are two ways to do almost anything in life. The right way and the half ass way.

[Marcus SC&C]

Nice. Messing with heat treat and metalurgy like that isn`t a great idea. Also lowering the center link will increase bumpsteer and this is a platform that already has more than it`s fair share to begin with. An inocent mistake I guess but a case of not knowing enough to know how much he doesn`t know. I`d put new stock steering parts back on and change the pan to one that fits the car properly. Mark SC&C

[Motown 454]

Thanks Marcus I tried to tell him but he has to come up with the idea to change it himself. If its his Idea i guess its not a mistake