C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

[Brian K.]

Anyone have any tips on how to "mash" them without any special tools?

Thanks!

[Gary S.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Here is a home made tool that has served me well enough (could be refined more). I cut off the end of an air hammer chisel and then drilled a hole into the end of it...1/4" drill bit. Don't drill it too deep or it will not squash. Actually, mine should be drilled just a little deeper.

If you don't have this, you can drill a 1/4" hole in some thick piece of metal (end of big screw driver, etc.) that you can hit with a hammer to make a reasonable looking squash.

Then place the rivet and bracket in place on the cover, cut the rivet shaft to correct length (1/4" sticking out), put the head against an anvil or other hard surface, have someone hold the cover in the upright position to get proper contact between the rivet head and the anvil, place the squash tool on the shaft end and hit with a hammer til you mashed it down. It does not take much effort to squash it, so be careful. If the shaft is too long, it will bend over and you have to start over.

Good luck...Gary

[Brian K.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Thanks Gary,

I do have an impact hammer.

Now I have something to keep me busy tonight.

Brian

[David L.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

I have done the exact same thing Gary. This method works well. However you may have to experiment with the length of the rivet you are using. If the rivet is too long it cannot all remain contained within the recess of the tool causing a folded over mess. I keep bags of rivets and experiment with length before making the final install. Good luck.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Hi Brian
If you plan on having your car judged, it would be a good idea to use a "Bucking Tool" that matches the shape of the rivet head.
Placing the heads on a flat surface when impacting may create a flat spot on the rivet head, which may lead to a deduction.
FWIW
HaND

[Douglas C.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

I am currently helping a friend with the front side pipe cover front brackets. Rivets supplied with kit are solid, and hammering so far has broken the heads. I wonder if soft / hollow rivets are correct.

I'm using a tool from years ago, for 66 / 67 Chevelle grill rivets. Two solid steel square bars, one with a concave groove for rivet heads to rest in, the other has a stud with a mushroom like end to squish (hammer) the rivets. Correct tool I think but rivets may be cheap solid ones that just won't squish.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Douglas,

Are those rivets aluminum or steel? Seems unusual that the heads are breaking. Too strong of a hit maybe?

I have some photos showing the original type rivets on 1973 OTC supplied covers in this recent post that may help. The rivets used appear to be solid soft aluminum. It seems they may have used a special backer tool and peening tool based on the squish patterns. I don't think hollow rivets would be strong there.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?108979-1967-Body-Lift-for-Chassis-amp-Frame-Restoration&p=753593#post753593

and here....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?111681-GM-original-Side-Exhaust-Covers

Rich

[Douglas C.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Douglas,

Are those rivets aluminum or steel? Seems unusual that the heads are breaking. Too strong of a hit maybe?

I have some photos showing the original type rivets on 1973 OTC supplied covers in this recent post that may help. The rivets used appear to be solid soft aluminum. It seems they may have used a special backer tool and peening tool based on the squish patterns. I don't think hollow rivets would be strong there.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?108979-1967-Body-Lift-for-Chassis-amp-Frame-Restoration&p=753593#post753593

and here....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?111681-GM-original-Side-Exhaust-Covers

Rich

Hi Rich,

Rivets are solid aluminum, but hard as steel, my tool made for GM rivets and a hammer does not put a dent on the rivet post, then rivet heads just break off.

Is the answer to get solid soft aluminum rivets? If so where to buy correct ones?

Tks. Doug

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

Doug, They're not magnetic are they? They may be a alloy. I have some other rivets here that look and weigh like aluminum, but also very hard. I've broken a few same way and didn't use them. This for a C1 inner tunnel seatbelt brackets, 1/8" diameter.

Most suppliers have the soft aluminum types. I'd use those. I know Zip has them.

many here you'll just have to search deeper.....

http://www.zip-corvette.com/search/category/63-67-c2?q=rivet

Rich

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 Installing Rivets to Side Pipe Front Brackets

I use a piece of 5/8 threaded rod. I drill a pit into the rod and hammer it down on the side off rivet to be bucked. Drill the dept of the hole according to the way you want the rivet to look.