The guy who did my wheel alignment today said my steering box has play in it. The car goes straight now but isn't very responsive to the steering wheel. What should I look for to tighten up the steering? Thanks

I'd put a rebuilt box in it. Also consider doing the 3rd gen swap. It makes a great improvement in steering response (http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html).

I've had three cars over the years with play in the gear box. On top of the gear box is a stud with a jamb nut. Loosen the nut and turn the stud in. Be careful as it takes very little to make a big change. Make sure you can go lock to lock with no binding. That's the way I did it, if there is anything else good or bad someone will chime in. Good luck.

Most of the used boxes can be adjusted but at the expense of self centering or excessive drifting. If you understand how this worm gear works, all of its life the gears are in the center of tooth contact, and with ease they roll easily off the face but when worn, they tend to wear a little low place,, thus you adjust and take up slack but the additional force keeps them in the low spot and car will tend not to return to center on its own. Sound easy to understand? Maybe David Pozzi or Dave will chime in with more intellect.

Sagnaw boxes generally are built like a brick **** house.
Wheel alignment guys are generally just that and often mis diagnos where play real is.
1st jack up the front under the sub frame...have someone move the steering wheel from side to side...look at tie rod ends, and each joint going back to the pitman arm... Check the main shaft coming out of the bottom of the steering box for play... there should be NO play.
Now grab the wheel top and bottom, check for play in the bottom ball joint (there is either no play or about a max of 1/8" at the bottom of the tyre)
Check the main bushes where the A arm bolts to the sub frame at the top.

Now jack up the car from under the bottom A frame, again move the wheel top and bottom, there should be no play in the top ball joint.

Soin the wheels, they should spin free, no bearing noise, and no play in the bearings when moving the wheel.

I just put new tie rods, ball joints upper and lower, control arm bushings, and wheel bearings in before the alignment.

Check play in the pitman arm shaft...unlikly thu this requires box rebuild
Check steering wheel play with wheels suspended.
There should be no play, and from memory 3lb to turn on the outside of the steering wheel and no binding...use a spring scale to measure.
This is adjusted by the lock nut on the top of the steering box.