67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

[Kirk M.]

I need to use one of these rivets to mount a "J" hook above my parking light plug. How do you "crush" these rivets? Is there a special tool that I need? My regular rivet pliers obviously don't work for this type of rivet. Thanks.

Kirk

[Domenic T.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Kirk,
I use an aircraft rivet gun and it takes one to squeeze the trigger and one to hold the bucking bar.
I can tell you another way that will work if you are carefull and do not have acsess to the right tools.
Have some one hold about a 2 lb metal weight like a flat hammer head in the rivet head and push enough to keep the riviy in place while you SQUARLY hit it the small end with a flat hammer.
Try to do it in 2 to 3 hits, the fewer the better untill it looks like the other ones on your car.
It is a primitive method but I'm sure you will do a better job than the factory did.

By the way DON'T ask your wife to help. It could cause problems elsewhere.

DOM

[Alan S.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Hi Kirk,
Some of the vendors sell a small tool that you can use in Dom's method. It looks like a FAT nail set and has a small machined 'bowl' in the end that gives the rivet shaft a nice mushroom shape with a couple of hits.
You may not need it if you only have a couple of flat rivets to set.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Jerry M.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Kirk
I just sent you an e-mail.
Jerry

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Thanks. Got any pics of the tools I might need. Since the panel is already on the car, I'm not sure I can hammer very effectively in there. Was worried about that. Also, since the panel is assembled, I can't really get a plier like tool on each side either. Thanks.

Kirk

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Also, on a 67, are the clips above the parking plug assembies coated with rubber? Thanks.


Kirk

[Dick G.]

Re: 67 Body Rivets - How to Install?

Kirk
Domenic is absolutely correct.
You can substitute the aircraft rivet tool for a chinese elcheapo muffler pneumatic gun. .401 shaft size is what the aircraft tools use. Go to ebay and buy some used insert shafts that match up the the head design of you rivets your using. I went to ebay years ago and bought a used aircraft gun with 2 bucking bars and about a dozen various insert shafts for $85.00.
When setting the rivet, there should be about 1/8" of rivet shaft exiting the panel for you to compress. With your pneumatic tool held against the rivet head, put your bucking bar/hammer against the rivet shaft.
Wear ear plugs.
Pul the trigger for 2 seconds and your usually done.
Don't consider any other method. I have tried the other methods and they are ridiculous compared to this tool.
It is so stinkin easy.
I cannot believe people are still trying to invent a manual rivet tool when this aircraft rivet tool exists.http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/rivet_0guns.html
Now go to ebay and get your aircraft rivet tool kit. You won't be sorry. Used is much cheaper.
Remember aircraft is aluminum so it wont hurt fiberglass.
DG