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I'm curious if the 3/16 shank, flat head aluminum rivet head size changed during the C2 years. My 64 coupe built Dec 6, 63 had 9/16 size flat heads everywhere. The replacement rivets I have from a supporting vendor have 1/2 inch size flat heads. I purchased the body mount plates from the same vendor and the rivets that came with the plates had 9/16 heads. Is there a source for the 9/16 flat head rivets?
Thanks Larry for the info. I checked Doc Rebuild's online catalog and for the rivets available the catalog states 1/2 inch head for the rivets.
So the question remains. When did the rivet head size change,if ever? Is the 1/2 head a GM service replacement? Is the 1/2 head used on 68 up C3s? Is there a source for the 9/16 head rivet in 3/8, 7/16, 5/8 lengths? I'm not restoring my car for judging but I had hoped some of the forum members that have restored their cars for NCRS judging might have a source for the correct size head. Rivets having the concentric rings on the back side are meaningless as there is no way to see this once installed. I phoned three of the Corvette parts houses (LIC, CC, ZIP) and did a fruitless search on the internet and the forum, nada. CC was the only supplier that stated they had a 3/16 shank, 3/8 L, 9/16 diameter head rivet available. The part number given was 182013, I have two bags of these rivets and they are 1/2" head so the CC rep had wrong information. These are not long enough for the seat mount plates or outer belt reinforcements. I find it odd that the seat belt reinforcements and rear console bracket come with the long shank 9/16 head rivet but the rivets don't seem to have a source. No idea what the softness of this 9/16 head rivet is but if 1100 grade would be OK. I'm posting some photos for reference.
Interested and following as I'm painting the seat mount plates and will soon be installing. Figured I had the rivets already. Maybe not as they come from ZIP.
Do you physically have Zip ZM-2682 rivets and verified the 9/16" head size? I ask because I phoned Zip about 10 days ago and spoke with a rep named Bobby. He stated all the large head rivets Zip had were 1/2 in diameter.
Thanks Pop
(just typing that out makes me feel younger)
Last edited by Vitaminmopar; 10-23-2018 at 12:29 PM.
Yes Yes ......not considered NCRS . So a number of my door hinge support rivets were loose and are very hard to access from the inside. Someone on the forum suggested 1/4 20 x1/2" projection studs. They worked great and with Red Locktite will never give me any trouble. I ground down the 3 dimples and after its painted, you would never know the difference. I would venture to guess......they are structurally tighter and stronger than original aluminum rivets. Good luck
Yes Yes ......not considered NCRS . So a number of my door hinge support rivets were loose and are very hard to access from the inside. Someone on the forum suggested 1/4 20 x1/2" projection studs. They worked great and with Red Locktite will never give me any trouble. I ground down the 3 dimples and after its painted, you would never know the difference. I would venture to guess......they are structurally tighter and stronger than original aluminum rivets. Good luck
Thanks for reminding me of the weld studs. I still need to acquire some for my passenger door and luggage stop. I realize the primary purpose of the rivets is to hold a metal bracket in place but in these two areas they do a little more than that, so the weld stud is the way to go. I think the other areas where more than two rivets are used (rear bulkhead, seat belt anchors, body mounts, shoulder harness reinforcement plate, etc) the rivets ensure the fiberglass is drawn flat against the reinforcement plate for maximum strength/support. I could use the weld studs everywhere but they cost a little more, need a retaining nut and washer so stick up a little higher under carpet, may require cutting down to length and perhaps removing the three projections from under the head.
Other sources for the weld studs are McMaster Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/weld-studs and JHP fasteners https://www.jhpfasteners.com/weld-st...0_83-l-en.html
I have not used JHP, but from their web page it appears JHP has the weld studs available in steel or stainless steel (stainless is pricey, about 75 cent each) ring or projection plus one can order the quantity and lengths and not be stuck ordering 100 of each size, minimum order is $10.00
10-16-2018, 09:14 PM
Rivet head size
