Thoughts/do I need to dent my new headers, new pics ?

72bluNblu said
Just look at the pictures.

Yes, the 68-72 pitman and idler have a more significant drop, but the center link sits on TOP of them. The 73-76 pitman and idler appear to have less of a drop, but the center link is BELOW them.

Look at the pictures in post #57. The center link stays at basically the same height. It has to, otherwise the steering geometry would have changed from 67-72 vs 73-76.

And "steering linkage" has to include the pitman and idler, because you can't mix and match 68-72 and 73-76 steering components. You have to use the pitman, idler and center link from the same year range because of the change in the direction of the tapers.

The problem isn't the 73+ linkage.

You’re obviously 100 % correct. The one thing I do find though is that the parts of the steering that are closest to the header like body of the tie Rod end and pitman where it connects to the centerlink on 73 and up is bigger and may provide less clearance than than the earlier style where just the stud and and castle nut are closest to the header? In fact on my picture I posted I have ground the threaded stud on the idler and one tire Rod end and it would just touch. You wouldn’t have this flexibility and also would not want to grind on the body of a tie Rod end or pitman. Just a thought.