so i have an original steering bx on my 69 camaro, nad it sucks the big one. ive got about 4 inches of play. so if i replace the steering box with a new one will that get rid of the play in the steering wheel? also if my steering box is a manual box can i later convert it to power steering, or would i need a whole different box for that. thanks

Whole different box. I'd change it now when You have to replace it anyway. Same box on '68 to '74 Chevy Nova. Probably more interchange, I'll bet. Can't see them making a whole bunch of different steering boxes those years.

but if i replace my current manual steering box, with a quick ratio manual steering box ( i dont have the money right now for a whole power steering set up) could i later convert that manual steering box to power steering, or would i need a power steering box? thanks

Like I said, it's a whole different steering box. I'd try and find a power steering setup in a junkyard from a wrecked low milage Nova.