63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

[Michael G.]

The clip on the front of my original distributor shield broke off. In order to replace it, I drilled out the rivets and went to replace them with some rivets I got from LIC. I found that the rivets that I removed were chrome plated carbon steel (very magnetic). The new ones seem to be slightly magnetic stainless steel.

I'm wondering: 1) Are the carbon steel rivets I took out original? 2) if not, what were the originals made of? 3) does anybody sell correct ones. (I can make them, but, I need to know what they were made of)

Thanks,

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Mike - since responses are slow to come I offer the following, which top shield do you have? The first 63 is 3819729 - it did not have the rear slots for distributor grounding. It did however have the 3 top metal rivets to hold the insulator - bet these were the same (not sure) worth checking. The second shield was 3833333 with the 2 slots, again I would look at the top rivets.
Would also check out Nolands book where he has some prints of those, pg 163. Sorry not much help.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Thanks, Alan, I have the early shield, i.e., no slots. All five rivets appear to be the same part. I've taken them all out, as the top ones were rusting.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Not too many opinions... So, maybe we can approach this in a different way: Does anyone have an early 63 L84 car that has a distributor shield that they know is an untouched original? If so, could you please take a magnet and test the 5 rivets to see if they are very magnetic?

Thanks,

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Michael,

I have a 300hp car and it has the same shield as your car. The shield has no cut out in the rear and it also needs a new front ground strap. I will check the rivets as they have never been removed.

[John D.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Michael, My early shield with no cut outs has steel rivets. All 5 of them are steel. My March 2nd or 3rd car has had this shield back to 1970. I don't know the history before that. Car has a AM radio.
A nice judge said if I was to continue showing the car I needed the 2nd generation shield that has two cut outs on the back. So I solved that dilemna by putting both styles behind the seat.
The 2nd generation shield also has steel rivets. Now you didn't ask this but the shield with the cutouts appears to have two different styles of rivet. Two different heads. All magnetic. John

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Thanks John, I thought mine were original, but you never know what someone has messed with in the last 50 years...

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Mike, It would be great if you could make the rivets! Better even, if you could make a tool to properly set the rear of the rivet. There is no tool available that will make the proper face inside the shielding.

Joe

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Joe, unfortunately, I drilled out the rivets without really looking at the rivet upset. What's so special about it?

The original rivets seem to be a standard 9/64 body diameter, .234 head diameter, oval head, semi-tubular, steel rivet. I think that these are still available, so, no need to make them.

Thanks,

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Joe, It could be that the rivets' upset looks different because the LIC parts I have are a different diameter than the originals. The LIC parts have a 1/8 diameter, rather than 9/64. The difference isn't much, but the smaller diameter would collapse a bit differently in a loose-fitting hole than the 9/64 one would in a tighter hole. Without seeing the original upset, I can't say this is really what's happening, but, I'm going to get some proper ones and I'll update this thread after I install them.

[Joseph S.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Mike, There is difficulty getting the leverage to set the top rivet on the grounding clip. Let me know how you do that. Joe

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Joe, I haven't tried that yet. Its been a long time since I messed with semi tubular rivets, but, I think the shield geometry prevents you from using one of those screw-clamp type tools to set the rivets in the top surface of the shield. It'll probably require a gun and special bucking bar to put them in. I'll figure that out when I get the rivets.

It may be a while, as I can find only zinc plated steel ones, so I'll have to have them stripped and chrome plated. I'll probably order a quantity, so I can send you some. I'll PM you when they arrive.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

send me some too mike. thanks, mike

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Jerry Fuccillo made a setting tool that works fine, used on my 64 top shield front grounding clip.
Dan

[John D.]

Re: 63 FI Distributor Shield Rivets

Joe, unfortunately, I drilled out the rivets without really looking at the rivet upset. What's so special about it?

The original rivets seem to be a standard 9/64 body diameter, .234 head diameter, oval head, semi-tubular, steel rivet. I think that these are still available, so, no need to make them.

Thanks,

Michael, That's a stock rivet size. Nominal shank diameter: 9/64. Shank Diameter: 0.141 to 0.146, head style oval, head diameter 0.234 +-.005, head thickness:
0.040 +- .005, Hole diameter: 0.100 to 0.107, hole depth: 0.126 etc
They are semi-tubular rivets available in any material.
I had rivets made for my FI business. Minimum qty was at least a 1000. But say you only want a few hundred or so. For a few bucks more you can purchase the rivet in massive qty and pitch the ones you don't need and still come out ahead. Or you could go in the rivet business.
Rivet setting machines are available for major bucks.
Tri-State Tubular Rivet Co. in Malvern, PA 610-644-0296 Give them a company name. Send them a sample of the rivet.
hobrien@tristaterivet.com
P.S. See if the have the "backup" washer also. If not McMaster-Carr would have it. Rivet machines readily available although not cheep.