The taper only becomes a problem if you don't have the correct puller.
Correct, we used the BL main puller on the shop floor and at the training school, all BL service tools of that era started 18G and The one you need is 18G304 with the hub flange adapter legs that screw on to the wheel studs. Wind up to max pressure and a sharp crack with a hammer and drift and if your lucky they pop. If not your into more work but nothing was mentioned about that in the original post.
