Chevy AD truck steering question

I put a V8 in my '53 Chevy AD truck (avatar) by using 3/4" spacers to move the steering box outward to clear the exhaust manifold. The pitman arm is splined onto the steering box but is it also tapered? Could I reverse the pitman arm and install the drag link on the inside? The would have the effect of straightening the drag link instead of the offset it has now. I don't have any bump steer or tracking issues but this really bugs me. BTW The drag link is the modern type, not the original ball/socket type. Thanks in advance.

 

I have seen the term AD truck for years. What is it? Im tired of trying to figure it out. LOL!

 

Advanced Design '47 to 1st series '55

 

Yes they are tapered. 2 options either heat and bend the arm a bit or run the taper in from the other side 1/2 way through the arm. Both ways have been done for years no sweat.

 

Thanks, I have heard the 55 called a first or second series 55 but never could figure AD out.

 

What V8 did you install?

I was able to get an extra inch of clearance at the steering box by using headers ISO exh manifolds when I dropped a 455 Olds in my 59 p/u.

Also, it's ok to offset the motor to the right a little to gain extra space

 

When I first put a 283 in my 48 in the mid 70's we heated and bent the pitman arm to get the drag link back on a straight shot to the steering arm on the spindle.

On yours now I'd be afraid that the only actual contact area on the splines was the area where the tapers met and if you hit a pot hole hard you might strip out what contact area you have working.

We (JD Fikes and I ) heated my pitman arm close to the big end and bent it in and then heated it close to the small end to bend that end back out to get it square.