Questions about body rivets
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 46
From: Lebanon OH
Questions about body rivets
I have a few questions about body rivets. I discovered there are 5/8" and 3/16" long rivets. Last summer I ordered a bag of 3/16" rivets to attach some brackets to my engine bay. I later learned that some of these brackets originally had the 5/8" rivets. Specifically the hood hinge / radiator mount bracket.
I'm not interested in production correct and am using the rivets because they don't rust and are fairly easy to install. That said, should I remove the 3/16" rivets and replace them where specified? Is there a structural reason the 5/8" are used that I should be concerned about?
I have an AIM, but it's not very easy to negotiate for things like this. Is there a consolidated list of bracket & rivet combinations so I can make sure the stronger rivets are in the proper place? I'm planning to use 5/8" rivets on the #4 reinforcements, and I did not remove the #1 mount plate. Thanks.
MajD
I'm not interested in production correct and am using the rivets because they don't rust and are fairly easy to install. That said, should I remove the 3/16" rivets and replace them where specified? Is there a structural reason the 5/8" are used that I should be concerned about?
I have an AIM, but it's not very easy to negotiate for things like this. Is there a consolidated list of bracket & rivet combinations so I can make sure the stronger rivets are in the proper place? I'm planning to use 5/8" rivets on the #4 reinforcements, and I did not remove the #1 mount plate. Thanks.
MajD
Last edited by MajD; May 24, 2016 at 09:18 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Keep in mind that for the most part the sole purpose of the aluminum rivets is to hold a bracket or reinforcement in place until you can install a bolt into it to hold another part (with the fiberglass sandwiched in between).
There are a few brackets on the body where the rivets do perform a structural function, but very few. A couple that come to mind are the clips on the underside of the tunnel that hold the insulation in place. Or the Battery cable stud plate kit. The #4 mount reinforcement is however one I would pay closer attention to.
I would keep this in mind when installing rivets. Generally speaking, I buy them in the 100 quantity packet for about $10 in the longest length, I believe about 5/8th inch and trim them as necessary. If they are a tad long, once you install them it is difficult to tell at that point.
Good luck... GUSTO
There are a few brackets on the body where the rivets do perform a structural function, but very few. A couple that come to mind are the clips on the underside of the tunnel that hold the insulation in place. Or the Battery cable stud plate kit. The #4 mount reinforcement is however one I would pay closer attention to.
I would keep this in mind when installing rivets. Generally speaking, I buy them in the 100 quantity packet for about $10 in the longest length, I believe about 5/8th inch and trim them as necessary. If they are a tad long, once you install them it is difficult to tell at that point.
Good luck... GUSTO
