C1 Rear Cross Member Rivets

[Donald H.]

I have a replacement crossmember to install on my 1960 project car. The rivets for this are 3/8" steel. Rivets in the back and a weld bead on the front edge.

Since the head is on the bottom side, and visible under the car, can I get away with welding them in place on the top side? Do flight judges try to see if these rivets are set versus welded? Not sure you can even see the top side. From the bottom it should look OK.

I don't have a clue how I would go about setting a 3/8" steel rivet

Thanks,
Don

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 Rear Cross Member Rivets

i doubt the judges would catch the weld job, especially if you dress the weld bead with rotary files to simulate a peeded end of the rivit.if they do detect the weld bead, the deduction would be minimal i suspect. i usually install the rivets, heat the peened end to cherry red, dolly the head of the rivet, then beat the hell out of the peened end with a ball peen hammer. of course, the body has to be off to do it this way. good luck,mike

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 Rear Cross Member Rivets

Don, most chassis Judges stick their fingers up there to test for nuts and rough weld edges. If you do as Mike says it will come out good and won't get noticed. Before you install make sure all the holes in the replacement match the rear cross member you've removed from you car and weld up any that don't. We had one enterprising member cut off the rivet shaft and weld a bolt in place. Looked good on the bottom but the finger test found the nut. Good luck, Gary....