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I have a brand new replacement console and new reinforcement that needs to be attached. According to AIM it requires what looks like 4 each rivets. Two on top and one on each side. I understand the top part but the sides have large elongated oval holes that would make riveting difficult or not possible. Can someone offer help here please.
Without seeing it, pop rivets are a standard size and you can probably find a longer rivet and washer that is snug on the rivet and large enough to cover the oval.
Without seeing it, pop rivets are a standard size and you can probably find a longer rivet and washer that is snug on the rivet and large enough to cover the oval.
Its weird that the AIM manual shows an elongated hole as well and they don't call out a washer. Go figure.
On my 68, which I don't think is much different than your 74, the reinforcement is attached to the shifter console by the two rivets on top and the elongated holes are where screws go to attach the shifter console to the bracket attached to the shifter tunnel with "u" nuts. My AIM clearly shows them as screws and not rivets.
I just went through this with my '69. I used nuts/bolts on the 2 top bolts and they are completely hidden after install. The side holes will likely not line up any way so leave those loose until you can mock it up on the car and determine course of action. Definitely do not rivet anything until after mockup.
On my 68, which I don't think is much different than your 74, the reinforcement is attached to the shifter console by the two rivets on top and the elongated holes are where screws go to attach the shifter console to the bracket attached to the shifter tunnel with "u" nuts. My AIM clearly shows them as screws and not rivets.
Well then my AIM is definitely different than yours because mine shows rivets and no washers to take up the huge elongated hole. Very odd.
This is from my AIM. If you were to put a rivet through the elongated hole, how would you attach the shifter console to the bracket on the shifter tunnel? Seems odd that your AIM shows a rivet and not a screw.
On my 68, which I don't think is much different than your 74, the reinforcement is attached to the shifter console by the two rivets on top and the elongated holes are where screws go to attach the shifter console to the bracket attached to the shifter tunnel with "u" nuts. My AIM clearly shows them as screws and not rivets.
The elongated holes aren't for rivets....a screw goes through there to attach the console to the bracket on the shifter tunnel.
The elongated holes aren't for rivets....a screw goes through there to attach the console to the bracket on the shifter tunnel.
Mock up it first. The repro console likely won't line up with the tunnel bracket. Also, consider where the center gauge panel needs to sit in relation to the lower dash panels and how fragile it is during mockup. The C3 dash, center console and e-brake cover is a big puzzle and everything relates to everything else on final fitment. Take your time before riveting anything or drilling any new holes.
Here's a pic from my '70 AIM. As you can see, it shows the rivet (#5) that the OP mentions. The pic also includes the screw and nut that are installed at that location. I'm sure the screw and nut are original, as I'm the original owner. The AIM is incorrect at the 2 elongated hole locations.
That picture from the AIM also shows an extra hole in the console (above the elongated hole) and your console clearly doesn't have that hole. My console did not have that extra hole either. If your car is anything like mine, the elongated hole in the console won't come anywhere near lining up with the tunnel bracket. The tunnel bracket lines up closer to the top hole shown in the AIM.