king pin reamer size .795 vs .797

[desoto1939]

Here is a question for the guys that have done kingpins on their cars and trucks. 

 

The official king pin reamer according to my Miller Tools catalog, and the Miller Tools are the official factory tools that were used by MoPar dealership states that the correct king pin reamer for the Dodge, Desoto, Ply and Chrysler from approx. 1934-56 was the size .795. 

 

I have seen a reamer that is still in the box and states on the box Dodge, Desoto, Ply from 1935-56  and Chrysler 40-56

and the size is stamped on the tool as .797.

 

Ok so can this tool be used to correctly cut the bushing for these cars  I know we are talking a very small amount from .xx5 to .xx7.

 

Is there anyone that can let me know if this is a usable reamer for my 39 Desoto?

 

Thanks,

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Dodgeb4ya]

I prefer to have a machine shop hone the bushings to fit as it's way more accurate.

I have the reamer ( nice and sharp) for the king pins and it does not produce a nice no play pin fit.

I would always end up with some looseness of the steering support to steering knuckle. 

So off to the machine shop I go to have the pin and bushings fitted when needed..

Edited March 9, 2015 by Dodgeb4ya

[Andydodge]

Also another good trick is to check the bushings as some do not have a complete internal groove cut in them and I have had a local machine shop extent the groves the complete 360 degrees in a tapered pattern.......I've then had the bushes installed by a competent shop and reamed to suit, the extra grooves ensure that grease gets to every part........andyd 

[My49Plymouth]

I used a 797 reamer when I installed kingpins this winter in my 49 deluxe. They feel correct to me ... no play. The car's handling is much improved.

[dodge38]

I think the exact size of the kingpin is 51/64" which is 0.796875 so .797 is the correct reamer size

[James_Douglas]

There is actually two size king pins.  Some 90% of the cars are the .797.  The large Chrysler 8's and My 'Desoto Long Wheel Base cars have large king pins and everything else in the front end.

 

I agree with the post about honing.  I even purchased a Sanden hone for my larger size pin and gave it to my machine shop and they used it on my king pins.  A good hone can sneak of on the pin size and the pin will fit perfect.

 

James.

[1952B3b23]

I also agree with the honing of the bushings to size. I had a machine shop do it on my '52 B3b king pins and they fit so perfectly I was amazed.

-Chris