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By 54mercury312 - 12 Years Ago
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I am looking for a tapered reamer....... I have a pair of Granada spindles I am getting ready to install on the 54 Merc. for the disc. brake conversion. I hear that the reamer needed to ream this lower support tapered hole is 1.5" inch per ft. taper. In measuring my ball joint stud taper, with use of a conversion chart I found on the internet, I am coming up with 1.38"inch taper per foot on this stud. Has anyone reamed these spindles successfully, and still have the reamer that they used, and possably would sell, borrow, rent, or trade some y block part for it? I would think the 1.5" tapered reamer would work just fine. 1954 Mercury 312
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By paul2748 - 12 Years Ago
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It's a # 7 reamer (7 degrees I believe) Speedway has the reamer. I assume McMaster -Carr or Grainger may have it.
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By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
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Have a look at this reamer on Ebay.Item # 270531941454.To my mind you could buy it,use it,and resell and get most of your money back.The required taper is 7(7.15 actually) as Paul has stated.Proceed with caution if you do it yourself.You need to leave enough meat so there is a good taper fit betwen the stud and spindle otherwise you wont be able to tighten the nut on the stud.Because the spindle is thinner than the stock spindle where the lower BJ bolts on I used a couple of HD thick washers to make up the difference before the nut goes on.I also redrilled the stud for the cotter pin.If you are using stock rims you will need to have the hub of the rotor turned down a little so it will fit in the hole in the centre of the rim.
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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Be careful with the reamer it cuts faster than you think. You want just enough taper so the ball joint fits tight. And, as metioned, you will probably need some washers or a spacer on the threaded side to get them tight. Chuck
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By 54mercury312 - 12 Years Ago
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Thank you guy`s for the info. I just measured the 54 spindle, and the Granada spindle support for ball joint, and like you guy`s say the Granada support boss is almost 1/2" inch thiner than than the stock 54 Merc spindle. I can see now where you would need spacer washers. Also thanks for the heads-up on reaming to fast. I will be checking depth often as I ream, as not to bore over size. As for the reamer, I thought I would try on the classifieds here first to see if anyone else may have a reamer they would like to re-sell before purchasing a new one. I will only be doing the two hole`s, and possably the steering arm tappered hole`s for tie rod end, unless I am able to use the Granada tie rod ends. Thanks Again, 1954 Mercury 312
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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Check your local machine shops they may have something that will work. Chuck
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By 55vickey - 12 Years Ago
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check race shops, we've been running the granada set-up on dirt and asphalt cars for over 30 years. Gary
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By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
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The only holes that should need to be re-sized are for the lower ball joints.The stock tie rod ends should fit as is.You might also try a shop that builds off road vehicles.The reamer would be the same as used to resize for GM one ton steering components which are used a lot in off road warriors.
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By 54mercury312 - 12 Years Ago
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I just checked the stock tie rod end in the Granada steering arm, and it does fit as it should. I`ve checked all the machine & tool shops in my area, and one shop who does the off road racing, and no one has this reamer. Thanks again for your help, and suggestions, 1954 Mercury 312
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By GREENBIRD56 - 12 Years Ago
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The taper is 1-1/2 inches per foot - an ancient std for machining. As Mark said - its not an even number of degrees - it instead gives machinists an off-set for the lathe tailstock when making the male taper. 
When it is cut into the lower support of the upright which will be thinner than the old one - you will need a spacer such as shown here - to make the threads tighten to the proper grip - and allow fitting the cotter. The spacers are often called a "collar" and available at Ace Hardware, Fastenal, and others. Topped with a hardened washer as shown, it can be torqued to total security.
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By 54mercury312 - 12 Years Ago
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Steve, Nice looking T-Bird. Thanks for posting the photo. A picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks also for the tip on where to get these collars, those places are both here local. I will pick a couple up next time I`m out. All I need now is the reamer.... Thanks again, 1954 Mercury 312
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By MarkMontereyBay - 12 Years Ago
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I also will be doing the Granada front disc upgrade on my 57 Bird in the next month or so.
Speedway, the last time I looked, offered two reamers, one cheap and one not so cheap. Anyone have experience with either of them? Also, is it possible to do the reaming by hand without a drill press?
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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Reaming by hand or even a drill works great. It still cuts fast though. I wouldn't waste my money on an expensive one. You will probably only use it once. Just make sure you ream the right hole! (don't ask how I know that) Chuck
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By mongo - 12 Years Ago
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I bought 1 from speedway years ago, I think you run at 1/2 speed , be sure to put masking tape on , so you don't go too deep. try cut very quick !!
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