A Body Rack and Pinion Converison

Trying to put a pinto rack in my 62 Valiant,strictly a race car.Question,can I safely heat and bend my arms out about a 1/2 inch?Trying to do this as correct as possible the first time.Also read that after swapping spindels you should swap lower ball joints around???? Reading and asking questions BEFORE I get into this.ANY guiedence or advice welcome.Guzzi Mark