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

1954 Mercury 312

It's a # 7 reamer (7 degrees I believe) Speedway has the reamer. I assume McMaster -Carr or Grainger may have it.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

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.

  

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

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

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

1954 Mercury 312

Check your local machine shops they may have something that will work. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

check race shops, we've been running the granada set-up on dirt and asphalt cars for over 30 years. Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

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.

  

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

1954 Mercury 312

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.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona