Rivet Set Tool

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Mar 27, 2023 | 07:07 PM

tonyd21266

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Mar 2005

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Rivet Set Tool

Ok, back in 1979 when it was the thing to update your Vette from a 68 or whatever to say a 78-79, my old man made a 2 tone t top out of a 69 convertible.

Well, years later and the car is now mine, so time to reverse the mod.

I have a few old parts cars, but that's not the issue.
I am up against it trying to figure out a one man rivet set to reinstall the trans to body support collar bracket. Not easy with no help.

Anyone have any ideas?

The rest of the retro mod is a walk in the park compared to these damn rivets lol

Thanks guys

Mar 30, 2023 | 10:15 AM

CAMS69

Pro

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 696

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From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyd21266

When i restored my 69 i bucked the aluminum rivets with an ait chisel.
I took a air chisel bit, cut it off flush and drilled a point in the end of it. If im reading correctly your bucking larger rivets and possibly steel?
The air chisel worked very very well on my rivets.

Mar 30, 2023 | 12:14 PM

69FASTFUN

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,727

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From: Scottsdale Arizona

I am doing a body off restoration on my 72 convertible and I managed to set all the rivets by myself. It can be done

Mar 30, 2023 | 01:11 PM

Rescue Rogers

Is my vette stock?? HAHA

Joined: Oct 2015

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From: Im not allowed to tell you

2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)

2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)

2016 C3 of Year Finalist

reach through the shifter hole for the lose ones and around the body through the door for others...is it off the frame...that would help a lot

Apr 1, 2023 | 10:58 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Crossville TN

For rivets to have the strength they need, the rivet needs to be compressed to completely fill the hole into which it was inserted. Just 'bucking' a head on it isn't good enough. If those are aluminum rivets, they are much easier to form with "hammer" work. Not so much with steel rivets.

Apr 1, 2023 | 11:05 PM

calwldlife

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Southern Cal Ca

St. Jude Donor '22

check local forum in your area for a "vette, c3" guy
these cars are not average

Apr 2, 2023 | 05:55 PM

tonyd21266

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 334

Likes: 5

Thanks for the replies.

This is the tunnel bracket that I am going to rivet on. I was figuring hollowing the rivots out. I emailed Zip a week ago for the rivets. Still waiting.

I have no idea why my father even took it off. It only strengthens and supports. The ole man was **** about stuff, so who knows.

Apr 5, 2023 | 01:59 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

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From: Crossville TN

It supports and strengthens...if the rivets have been properly formed. Otherwise, it is a relatively weak member that just "looks" like an original part.