Does anybody know of other steering boxes that will bolt infor a 65 Riv. I searched but couldn't find anything. Just was trying to avoid spending $300+ on a new fast ratio box. Thanks
OUCH! That's a lot of dough! 63-65 rivs should all be interchangeable. I don't know for sure, but the Wildcats or Lesabers etc. may be the same. I can speak for the correct 65 year Riviera Gran Sport had the fast ratio box wheras the "non" Gransport was not, but they are a direct bolt-in replacement. Why not go with a used one from Wheatbelt, Ranch Rivera or anyone else that is parting one out? Erik
I dont have a memory that allows me to recall such things... I probably drank that brain cell or something. :shock: If you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a standard ratio will give you about 3-1/2 turns. A fast ratio will be something like 2-1/2 to 3 turns lock to lock. Erik
I sent my '64 box to Lee Manufacturing for a rebuild and a ratio change. Love the results though the price was a bit steep. I'd recommend getting an OE Riviera box redone so your steering stops are correct. The rest of the box guts interchange so you can put something like a WS6 ratio in it with a stiffer torsion rod to tighten the box up. It's so much more fun to drive with the Lee box than the stock 5 turn unit.
Just get an "808" box from a newer GM Full Size car from '69-'76. Swap pitman arms using your Riv. pitman arm. You could even use a variable ratio box from a '67-'76 Caddy. All bolt-in. Tom T.
Thanks Tom, I'll look into that. I couldn't see them making a steering box that only fit one model for 3 years. I just wanted something that had similiar feel to my 80's Monte Carlo SS. I realize the Riv is a bigger/heavier car, but I enjoyed the handling of that car. Lee was going to be my final alternative.
The box is the same, the internal parts are what make them different. It is possible to retune the box with basically the F41 parts from the MCSS with the Riviera steering stops in the box. I am going to deffer to Mr. Tom about what interchanges with functional steering stops in the box. I had Lee do mine because I wanted specific things in the box rather than get a generic box with some but not all of the improvements I wanted. Mine was more expensive because it appearantly had some early components that were more expensive to rebuild/replace.
I disagree, there are stops in the box because with the tie rod ends diconnected I get way more movement, there is nothing stopping it on the control arms or spindles on my '64. GM Saginaw Box Upgrades: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0901_gm_steering_box_upgrade/index.html
Sorry, I STRONGLY disagree William. But, we all must agree to disagree at times. If you look closely at the rear part of your lower control arms, closer to the lower ball joint, there is a small 1/4" triangle there. And, if you again look closely at the rear part of the spindle there is a protrusion there. Turn the wheels with the tires off the ground & it will become readily apparent that these are in fact steering stops. Now while it's also true that the box will stop at a certain point it usually stops AFTER the steering stops built into the lower control arms & spindles. I have been greasing, & also telling my employees to grease the steering stops on ALL vehicles that come in for an oil change, etc. for the past 40+ years. Many today have plastic type buttons that stop the squeaking noises when the steering stops are not normally greased. How many of you have turned the steering wheel to the extreme right or left & heard that loud groaning type noise??? Try putting a dab of grease on those steering stops that have been provided by the factory but very seldom, if ever, get a dab while on the lift that are , on many, a steel on steel contact.
