1969 body mount probs
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Perth Western Australia
1969 body mount probs
Hi guys, lots of great ideas and feedback on this forum and i thank you all for the ideas and encouragement particularly given I am restoring a vette in another country.
I am taking the body off my 1969 L71 vette to complete a full restoration. The rear body mounts are a problem in that the bolts spin and don't wind out. I suspect the nut is stripped or the cage is bent and allows the nut to spin. No real rust issues to be seen.
I know I will need to replace the cage and nut but see a problem with reinstalling the original aluminium rivets. I have heard this can be done with either small bolts or stainless rivets using an air rivet gun.
Any ideas which is best? Do I need an air rivet gun or can do with a manual one? Also, what size rivets do I need. Many thanks
I am taking the body off my 1969 L71 vette to complete a full restoration. The rear body mounts are a problem in that the bolts spin and don't wind out. I suspect the nut is stripped or the cage is bent and allows the nut to spin. No real rust issues to be seen.
I know I will need to replace the cage and nut but see a problem with reinstalling the original aluminium rivets. I have heard this can be done with either small bolts or stainless rivets using an air rivet gun.
Any ideas which is best? Do I need an air rivet gun or can do with a manual one? Also, what size rivets do I need. Many thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi p'b,
Yes you can replace the original flat aluminum rivets on the mounts with pop rivets or small bolts.
With the body off the frame you'll have access to the rivet locations that will allow you to use the original type rivets....with some work.
It really depends on what type of restoration you're doing as to what fasteners you choose to use.
I believe the original rivets were 3/16" diameter. The length could vary depending on the exact location.
Regards,
Alan
Yes you can replace the original flat aluminum rivets on the mounts with pop rivets or small bolts.
With the body off the frame you'll have access to the rivet locations that will allow you to use the original type rivets....with some work.
It really depends on what type of restoration you're doing as to what fasteners you choose to use.
I believe the original rivets were 3/16" diameter. The length could vary depending on the exact location.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 28, 2013 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Perth Western Australia
Thanks guys,
Wondering how easy the original rivets are to set in place? Reason for the question is that I am struggling to see how I can get a lump of steel behind the head with any force so that I can whack the shaft of the rivet to crush it in place? Any thoughts on this? I suspect this is the very reason stainless rivets and washers and a rivet gun are a good option.
Thanks, Rodney.
Wondering how easy the original rivets are to set in place? Reason for the question is that I am struggling to see how I can get a lump of steel behind the head with any force so that I can whack the shaft of the rivet to crush it in place? Any thoughts on this? I suspect this is the very reason stainless rivets and washers and a rivet gun are a good option.
Thanks, Rodney.
