Topic: body assembly rivet tool
in Forum: C3 Body
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20212
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Ben, as far as I know, NCRS doesn't specify rivet sizes, as most rivets are not visible for judging.
I'm sure the AIM has the dimensions for them, but I don't have a '69 AIM...
I'm sure the AIM has the dimensions for them, but I don't have a '69 AIM...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
supposeldy they are the same from 63-82 but i couldnt find dimension.. only part number.. part number referenced assembly rivet, no size.
then one would wonder why does corvette central sell quite a few different size rivet tools.
i either have the wrong rivets or the wrong tool. if i could just fiogure out which was right i could correct the aberrant one.
cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
can someone tell me I have used tool x from vendor y to install OeM body rivets with good results
Not lookng to use pop rivets
cthulhu 2008-12-24 19:34:25
Not lookng to use pop rivets
cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
Anyone ?????
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20212
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well Ben...I wish I could offer an idea, but I've come up empty. I did find the factory specs on all of the rivets to be 3/16", according to the AIM. They are all the same diameter, but different lengths, and some have different head sizes, such as the ones on the rear valance panel. So....your rivets appear to be the correct size...now to find a tool to help install them.
I'll keep lookin...
I'll keep lookin...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
then the rivets are right but labeled wrong
I tried to get doc rebuild to say either the label was wrong or the rivet was wrong and he denied he ever sold 2 different sizes
When I jumped through hoops as you always do when dealing with him by emailing a photo of his packaging showing 2 different sizes he clammed up and became his usual "super helpful" alter ego by responding with one word emails
All the large head ones seem to be 5/8ths or less and therefore can be trimmed down
I'll order the special rivets when I order the valence panel
If you find a tool let me know
Thanks againcthulhu 2008-12-27 21:04:15
I tried to get doc rebuild to say either the label was wrong or the rivet was wrong and he denied he ever sold 2 different sizes
When I jumped through hoops as you always do when dealing with him by emailing a photo of his packaging showing 2 different sizes he clammed up and became his usual "super helpful" alter ego by responding with one word emails
All the large head ones seem to be 5/8ths or less and therefore can be trimmed down
I'll order the special rivets when I order the valence panel
If you find a tool let me know
Thanks again
cthulhu
Gold Member
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
has no one ever used a tool to install an OEM body rivet?
can someone tell me I have used tool x from vendor y to install OEM body rivets with good results
I've had a few people PM me with some pop rivet guns and other non-compatible tools. I figure one of you strict restoration guys has to have replaced a rivet at some point.,
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20212
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I sent Ben an e-mail with some info from the NCRS tech board, along with a pic of a tool that can be made using a normal air-hammer and bit. So...I thought I would share the pic of the tool wit youse guys, too, in case anyone else decides to do this job.
The tool is just a regular air hammer, on low air pressure. The bit is a chisel, or even a punch bit, that has been cut off, and the end of it drilled/milled to form a rounded depression. With a heavy backing plate/hammer on the flat side of the rivet, the air hammer is used on the other side to peen the rivet down. The rounded depression in the bit forms a nice, rounded rivet end.
Hope this helps.
The tool is just a regular air hammer, on low air pressure. The bit is a chisel, or even a punch bit, that has been cut off, and the end of it drilled/milled to form a rounded depression. With a heavy backing plate/hammer on the flat side of the rivet, the air hammer is used on the other side to peen the rivet down. The rounded depression in the bit forms a nice, rounded rivet end.
Hope this helps.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"