JanZverina Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 I just wanted to mention that the 808 QR steering box I recently ordered from from ROA Member Tom Telesco was worth every penny. It was installed late last week, plus a front-end re-alignment to his recommended specs - lots of positive caster! The difference is truly transformative: a nice increased level of steering effort, markedly better straight-ahead tracking, and much, much better response on road curves at (of course) moderate speeds. My alignment tech even said that this was one of the rare properly rebuilt boxes he sees, with new innards and not just the usual 'reseal it and forget it' approach. Kudos to Mr. Telesco. Not sure if some first-gen Rivs (I'm thinking GS models) had a QR box, but you first-gen owners might want to look into this. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Happy you like the steering box Tom put together. I bought the Tom Telesco rebuilt Saginaw 808 18 months ago and I like the steering a lot. Turbinator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 I second the above sentiments. I had one of Tom's boxes installed this summer along with other components. I love the way my car handles. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 The GS Rivs had a faster ratio as an option, BUT it was about 3 1/4 turns lock-lock & had that vague feeling of a stock box. The only thing I can say is "try it, you'll like it" & NOBODY can tell it's not stock unless the car is drivin'. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckfmtexas Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 😁 Just received my new box from Tom and looking forward to getting into my 69 Riv. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 On 11/7/2020 at 8:59 PM, chuckfmtexas said: Just received my new box from Tom and looking forward to getting into my 69 Riv. Sir, Tom sent my rebuilt steering box to me 3-4 years ago. The steering box went back in easy enough. I did have help lifting and guiding the steering box in right. The steering box has been very fine for my car. I like the way the car steers, rides, and responds. Of course, not rack and pinion but sure feels real good. Put on sway bars back and front, new shocks, and all new bushings where required. Im sure you’ll like Tom’s steering box. Turbinator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKRIV Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 I wanted to buy a new box but it to look the same as original. 14:1 Box from Classic Performance Products at Placentia, CA. CPP Item # CP50004 (500 Series) Very happy with the result. I think the price is the same now as it was back in 2016 TomK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckfmtexas Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 On 11/7/2020 at 7:59 PM, chuckfmtexas said: 😁 Just received my new box from Tom and looking forward to getting into my 69 Riv. Chuck Box is in and performs great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 My boxes are for the full size cars ONLY. NOT some adapted smaller A-Body box. The ratio is 12.0-12.5-1 2.5 turns lock-lock, which will vary by the length of the pitman arm. 14.1 ratio is 3+a little lock-lock. The Riv. H-2 opton was 15-1 & approx. 3 1/4 turns lock-lock. My boxes are exclusively an "808" full size car box as original to look, work & feel just like an original box. The prices ar virtually the same & you know your getting the corret steering box. Tom T. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKRIV Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 If I knew back in 2016 that Tom T was remanufacturing 808 boxes to 12.5:1 then would have definitely used his services. I try to support ROA members and companies that support Riviera Enthusiasts when ever I can. Tom K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnulfo de l.a. Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 On 12/28/2020 at 5:02 PM, telriv said: My boxes are for the full size cars ONLY. NOT some adapted smaller A-Body box. The ratio is 12.0-12.5-1 2.5 turns lock-lock, which will vary by the length of the pitman arm. 14.1 ratio is 3+a little lock-lock. The Riv. H-2 opton was 15-1 & approx. 3 1/4 turns lock-lock. My boxes are exclusively an "808" full size car box as original to look, work & feel just like an original box. The prices ar virtually the same & you know your getting the corret steering box. Tom T. I think i have the H2 option. Cant say for sure but my steering box on my 65gs is 2 3/4 lock to lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 45 minutes ago, arnulfo de l.a. said: I think i have the H2 option. Cant say for sure but my steering box on my 65gs is 2 3/4 lock to lock. In the article on the ROA website entitled "How to ID a Gran Sport" it mentions that although the H2 package was not a part of the Gran Sport option, the H2 option has a 2-1/2 lock to lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 13 hours ago, arnulfo de l.a. said: I think i have the H2 option. Cant say for sure but my steering box on my 65gs is 2 3/4 lock to lock. That is correct for the `65 H2 box...I usually express it as 2 and 7/8ths so close enough. Tom Mooney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40yearriv Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 how do you get in touch with Tom Telesco? Have a 63 Riv that needs steering box work. Have had other 63 stuff (Impala SS Grand Prix) and would really like a bit faster steering on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 26 minutes ago, 40yearriv said: how do you get in touch with Tom Telesco? Have a 63 Riv that needs steering box work. Have had other 63 stuff (Impala SS Grand Prix) and would really like a bit faster steering on this one. His Forum name is telriv. Send him a PM. That is the best way to get ahold of him. I have one of his boxes in my 1963 as does Turbinator. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 Tom's screen name is Telriv. @telriv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 On 7/25/2024 at 5:37 PM, EmTee said: Tom's screen name is Telriv. With a major purge of my worldly possessions and down-sizing mostly complete, I now have first-hand experience shipping large and/or heavy items. on many occasions, the costs exceeded the actual item. I am not a Vendor but proceeded simply because I had requests for them. Remaining items went to recycling Bins unfortunately. Point is, Tom T and Clarks Corvairs are even further from my new home. Shipping from Canada my $60 30lb core Saginaw 808 that I paid $60 for (or did that go in the Bin as well?) and fiberglass rear parcel shelf is not going to happen for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I usually use USPS Flat Rate boxes. I've shipped to Canada for some things. A steering box fits in a large Flat Rate Box. Tom T. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 On 7/30/2024 at 10:15 AM, telriv said: usually use USPS Flat Rate boxes USPS is the best in world, like it or not. Using 3rd party shipping agents is no more difficult than anything else. Only use the third party agents if you are opposed to saving money. Third party agent like, Air City Post, have legit contracts with all the carriers.. Im more competitive when I ship for 1/2 price of retail. I pass the savings on to the customer. Its a hassle and it is work to build your own volumetric size shipping carton. I just sent a trunk kit for a 65 Riv from Lutherville MD to Firth NE for $20.Bucks. Beat that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 On 12/27/2020 at 4:40 AM, TKRIV said: CPP Item # CP50004 (500 Series) Wouldnt you know I received my CPP500 for PS upgrade in my 64 GM car. Not being experienced Ill give it a go.,The CPP500 went in fine EXCEPT the high pressure fitting from the PS pump would not seat. I went to a specialty hydraulic hose shop. I was given 2 brass funnel looking things with the skinny end chopped off. Coliflower said put one on. If that doesnt keep it grom leaking put on the second brass funnel. Had to put the second one on. No leaks. CPP gets credit for sending out an adapter to stop the leak. CPP Adapter came out by Wagon Train. Never used the adapter. You would think CPP would get the hoses so they would seat right the first time. The CPP is ok, but its not as good as Saginaw 808 TelRiv sent out for my 63 Riviera. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 If you go back to a post on Dec 27, 2020 and look at the attached invoice, you will see that the CCP500 power steering box is for a G Body (intermediate series) car. Then look for Tom T.’s comments on his full body boxes when compared to the intermediate body boxes. Could this be the reason that the fittings are different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 On 12/28/2020 at 5:02 PM, telriv said: My boxes are for the full size cars ONLY. NOT some adapted smaller A-Body box. The ratio is 12.0-12.5-1 2.5 turns lock-lock, which will vary by the length of the pitman arm. 14.1 ratio is 3+a little lock-lock. I recall the full size 808 has the 3" or 80mm piston. They can be fitted to achieve 3.+ turns Lock-to-Lock from various sources. However, I believe Saginaw 808s from Tom T. are the only steering boxes with 2.5 total turns. For specific fittings, do not know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 11 hours ago, XframeFX said: However, I believe Saginaw 808s from Tom T. are the only steering boxes with 2.5 total turns. Tom T got my original 808 rebuilt to have a lock to lock , for each side, at 2.5 turn max. My opinion is alignment, tires, shocks, and front and rear sway bars, and new coil springs gave the car great power steering. The ride is no longer like a magic carpet ride. Honestly, the ride is a bit taught on bad Maryland roads. Not so bad it jars your dentures loose, but enough to feel the bump. Turbinator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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