Ball joint taper question

[vanwyk4257]

I am working on an out-of-the-box situation. I have a 1961 corvair 95 panel van and nobody makes drop spindles for it.
I have however verified that a 55-57 Chevy car drop spindle that allows for a bolt-on steering arm will work. The only difference I have found is that the lower ball joint on the van has a bigger stud than the 55-57 chevy. The lower ball joint on the van is the same as that used on the late 50-s to 60's full size chevy cars and the 63-82 corvettes. As such I need to have the lower hole in the spindle reamed out to the proper size.
I'm hoping someone here may be able to tell me whether the ball joint in question would be a 7 degree or 10 degree taper so I can source the appropriate reamer.
Thanks in advance!

[David Pozzi]

I'd bet on it being a 7 deg taper. 10 deg was used by GM on the 70's cast spindles but I dont think it was used on the earlier stuff.

Don't buy a cheap circle track reamer! I broke one and found a much better quality high speed steel reamer on Ebay.

The trick with the reamer is to do a short cut, then pull it out and clean it, then plunge it back in for another short cut. By short, I mean 3 or 4 revolutions of the reamer while in a drill press or mill.

I don't know how I'd do a lower hole if the stud points down.
David

[David Pozzi]

I got mine from Xkut on Ebay, they don't show any sales now, but here is their web site. http://www.xkut-reamers.com/servlet/the-BALL-JOINT-%26-TIE-ROD-TAPER-REAMERS-1-dsh-1-fdsh-2%22-TPF/Categories

I bought #5982 which they show out of stock. It's 1 1/2 " taper per foot which is 7.15 deg.
6052 would be a substitute. I bought the smaller size because I wanted to do tie rod ends for a 2nd gen Camaro which are nearly 1/2" on the small end, but these will do 1" on the large end too.

I chipped the Allstar brand reamer which was nearly the same money as the Xkut.
David

[MrQuick]

thanks David, I was just going to ask you for the brand name.

Vince