A arms done - what do you think?

[Chris E.]

How did they turn out?

[David D.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Chris,
Nice looking work. I'm sending you mine....
David

[Chris E.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Thanks for the compliment.

[Gary B.]

A-arms: Rivet head or rivet squash question

Chris,

Based on the geometry of the upper pivot shaft, I'm guessing these are for a '66 +/-. In that case, I'm a bit surprised by the flatness of the rivet end on the inside in your last photo. Original rivets I've seen are roundish on both ends. Is the flat end on the inside the end that was peened or squashed?

The black paint finish on the A-arms looks perfect to me.

Gary

[Chris E.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Gary,
Whoops, sorry I wasn't more clear. I selected the "67" option in the post icon area, but didn't mention that my car is a 67.

Thanks for the good word on the finish. It is powdercoated medium gloss black. (not sure of the exact shade) The ball joints are original GM rivet style, and were painted with cast blast. I'm not sure how the rivets were put in, that part was farmed out.

Are you trying to say that the flat part of the rivet should be on TOP? (I hope not, since I'm ready to put the arms on the car) Or are you saying that NEITHER the bottom nor the top should even be flat?

[Gene M.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Chris,
I've only seen round heads on top side. That is on originals that I was going to take apart. Bottom side of rivet is not so clean looking as that side is peened.

[Gary B.]

Chris; look at Ridge Kayser photos posted on May 11

Chris,

Take a look at photos 2 and 3 posted by Ridge Kayser on May 11, that are included in the thread started by Keith Bramhill on May 10, entitled "66-lower ball joint rivet procedure". Note that neither end of the rivet is completely flat like yours.

Gary

[Chris E.]

Re: Chris; look at Ridge Kayser photos posted on May 11

Chris,

Take a look at photos 2 and 3 posted by Ridge Kayser on May 11, that are included in the thread started by Keith Bramhill on May 10, entitled "66-lower ball joint rivet procedure". Note that neither end of the rivet is completely flat like yours.

Gary

Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to leave the A-arms the way they are. I should get most if not all of my judging points for having the correct finish on the arms and having riveted style ball joints. If the judges make an issue out of the shape of the rivet head, then so be it.

[Alan D.]

Re: Chris; look at Ridge Kayser photos posted on May 11

Here is an original 64 !

[Chris E.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

That looks pretty darned close to what I have....

[Gary B.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Chris,

I doubt most judges would undergo the contortion necessary to inspect the rivet that closely, unless the car were up on a lift as part of a judging school. Even at the National level, judges assess such details very quickly and I doubt it would be commented on. Having said that, I do think the factory look is different.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Alan's photo

Interesting photo from Alan. Maybe there is more than one appearance to a factory produced rivet head/tail?

Gary

[Ridge K.]

Re: Chris; look at Ridge Kayser photos posted on May 11

Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to leave the A-arms the way they are. I should get most if not all of my judging points for having the correct finish on the arms and having riveted style ball joints. If the judges make an issue out of the shape of the rivet head, then so be it.

Chris, your A-arms look very nice, and I thank you for sharing the photos with us.
This whole thing of restoring these cars,.. we all share a great love for, can be a tough road to follow. Your parts look very nice to me, and you have correctly identified the need to rivet the ball joints in. The black finish looks very close to correct from looking at your pics. We had a brief discussion of this finish "look" over the past couple of days on another thread on the TDB. I supplied some photos of NOS A-arms I own for that other thread. I'll attach a few pics of the NOS upper A-arms I own, with this post. I think someone else has already referenced my pics.
I like your approach of using the correct assembly procedures, and having the final look to be something your are happy with. That's the bottom line. You are the one who should be happy with the end result. However, you did ask for comentary, and it's very nice of those who answered to spend their time in trying to give helpful advice.
The reason I decided to purchase NOS A-arms, is that,.....it is very, very difficult to get restored originals to look exactly like the A-arms that were installed on the St.Louis assembly line in 1967. I didn't say "impossible",...I just said very, very difficult. Having said that however, I paid an astronomical price for these NOS front end parts I bought. So much, I won't even disclose the amount here, as I don't want any fellow member looking into getting me committed to an institution. Someone said recently, "what's a point worth?...$100?....$500?, $1,000?
A fellow member with a fairly low membership number,.. that I have a tremendous amount of respect for, recently said that "one must play the game", in order to score those high top scores, in top flight judging. I understand that issue, and also realize it's a personal decision about how well... one wants to play the game. Fortunately for me, as an old retired guy, I enjoy the game, and the fellowship of club members who share my love.
Thanks again for sharing your pics. Good job! Ridge.

[Chris E.]

Re: A arms done - what do you think?

Thanks Ridge, good commentary. And I appreicate the pictures very much. Looks like my A-arms are pretty close to yours.

Throughout the restoration process, I'm trying my best to get as close as possible to original. However, there comes a point (like there does for everyone) where I say "good enough". I'm planning on getting the highest award I can in the next couple years, and then driving the car. I'm not going to ever sell the car, so it will get driven.

[Gary B.]

Thanks Chris et al.

I learned something today about ball joints rivets geometry. It's a good day when one can learn something new.

Gary Beaupre
Northern California Chapter