C4 Dash Rivets
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
Rivets
I drilled them out already. I was wondering if anyone had replaced this with screws or standard size rivets. I have a 91(non-bread basket) dash and the rivets are on the left side of the passenger area.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 287
From: Minnesota
I cant imagine it matters at this point. I would suggest SST rivets because it is a dash and provides structural safety in an impact but on the other hand if you thought you may ever need to get back in there aluminum rivets would be MUCH easier to drill out. just get the right size rivet
Last edited by mark970; Jul 17, 2017 at 12:01 AM.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
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When I did the heater core in my '85 years ago, I didn't have to drill out anything. Removed the passenger seat, which gave me room to lie on my back and remove the 7mm screws holding the box together that housed the heater core. One brace was in the way, which unbolted easy. Didn't have to mess with any rivets. What year is your car?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 336
From: Greater Cincinnati Area.
Does it matter? If it were me, I would use rivets of the same material I drilled out. (I'd guess aluminum.)
You can size them with a drill bit.
PS: IHBD is right, the big pop rivets ones take a giant tool to use, but it's usually pretty cheap.. If you can't borrow a riveter, even the ginormous one is 20 bucks at Harbor Freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-...tle-66422.html
Good Luck!
You can size them with a drill bit.
PS: IHBD is right, the big pop rivets ones take a giant tool to use, but it's usually pretty cheap.. If you can't borrow a riveter, even the ginormous one is 20 bucks at Harbor Freight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-...tle-66422.html
Good Luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
In '90+ cars I believe there's rivets that hold the actual plastic case components together. If these are what the OP is referring to I'd think aluminum for sure.
If it would aid assembly and they were very accessible I might be tempted to use an appropriate sized "push plastic" rivet. There's some maybe very desirable reasons to use them.
**** I recalled from some time ago seeing these mentioned. If this link works you should land at the pieces I recall. If the link doesn't stick go to post#135
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1585219751
If it would aid assembly and they were very accessible I might be tempted to use an appropriate sized "push plastic" rivet. There's some maybe very desirable reasons to use them.
**** I recalled from some time ago seeing these mentioned. If this link works you should land at the pieces I recall. If the link doesn't stick go to post#135
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1585219751
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 17, 2017 at 10:21 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 287
From: Minnesota
my only input about actually using a rivet gun would be to make sure if you go out and buy a giant rivet gun that you have room to use the giant rivet gun...those things are in fact giant. you can use them on doors with no problem, but depending on the dash location, it may not fit and you're out some money.
like Confab said, use a drill to put in the hole to size the rivet...i always like to use aluminum because it drills out much easier should you ever need to get back in an area.
i think at this point it comes down to the location of the rivet and what purpose does this rivet provide (safety, structural or is it non-functional and simply just keeping something from rattling).
myself...i tend to do things proper (especially if it's something so simple as a rivet) so if a metal rivet came out i would put a metal rivet back in. if you cant recall the rivets material, scratch it to see if its steel or aluminum (but it seems most rivets were aluminum)
i guess as long as you dont use duct tape, you'll be fine
like Confab said, use a drill to put in the hole to size the rivet...i always like to use aluminum because it drills out much easier should you ever need to get back in an area.
i think at this point it comes down to the location of the rivet and what purpose does this rivet provide (safety, structural or is it non-functional and simply just keeping something from rattling).
myself...i tend to do things proper (especially if it's something so simple as a rivet) so if a metal rivet came out i would put a metal rivet back in. if you cant recall the rivets material, scratch it to see if its steel or aluminum (but it seems most rivets were aluminum)
i guess as long as you dont use duct tape, you'll be fine
Last edited by mark970; Jul 17, 2017 at 10:35 AM.
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