Author Topic: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-  (Read 10990 times)

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #15 on: July 20, 2021, 08:13:22 AM »
Ran into a bit of challenge with a couple holes that had become oversized from prior damage.

Tried several approaches/hacks (Trial & error)...  For the winning approach, we trimmed the head from a 1/8" pop rivet, and trimmed the sleeve to roughly 1/4"; and used the sleeve inside the 3/16" tubular rivet.

I was not unhappy with this result...
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS (1967)-
« Reply #16 on: July 20, 2021, 08:14:42 AM »
The completed assembly came out pretty good (I think)...
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #17 on: July 20, 2021, 08:17:11 AM »
Setting up the truss rivets for attachment to valence was a bit tricky.

I used clear packing tape to protect the painted surface. Unfortunately this didn't make things any easier.

The main issue, was I couldn't SEE the darn things till I got the lift at a suitable height, where I could tweak the grill with one hand while placing the rivet with the other hand.

The idea was to get them all placed properly before snugging down the rivets.  This turned out to be a good approach.
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2021, 08:19:13 AM »
Once the grille was in-place, and the rivets in-place... the rest was pretty easy!  Action shots...
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #19 on: July 20, 2021, 08:22:04 AM »
The hardest part was NOT RUSHING... "Slow & Easy" again gave a much better result.

Regardless... Not unhappy with the result... considering (again as mentioned above), the General didn't always get 'em perfect either.

I.E. "Meets OEM standards" (LOL)...
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #20 on: July 20, 2021, 08:22:44 AM »
All done
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

HOGDADDY

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2021, 10:49:45 AM »
Thanks for the pics using that tool as I plan on doing the same with my RS grill and headlight door trim.

KurtS

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2021, 09:59:49 PM »
Great followup.
Did you try any lube on the rivets? It may help with the rivets splitting.
Kurt S
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169INDY

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2021, 11:16:02 PM »
The Castrol Iloform Stick Wax 15 oz Tube Cutting & Drawing Fluid Wax

They still use a sheet metal lathe to "SPIN" form all manner of, funnels, scuppers, domes, bowls, caps etc for navy ships here and the use the above.


Jim
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

Charley PHX

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #24 on: July 28, 2021, 07:08:43 PM »
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions!

Did you try any lube on the rivets? It may help with the rivets splitting.

NO, we did not... I am sure this would have been an improvement.  Not that I am displeased with our results, but there is always room for improvement.  The instruction sheet for the tool BRIEFLY mentions "lube the tip end" in steps 1-2 (primarily these discuss lubing the screw threads & shaft etc.), but it is there. 

I'd strongly recommend that anyone replicating this process take advantage of your suggestions! 

Other advice I would offer:

(1) GO SLOW in applying torque, as slow as reasonably possible.  When I tried to apply continuous pressure (and/or with people watching, waiting, etc.) the results were definitely not as good.  I'm no metallurgist, but suspect the rivet end needs to be allowed to stretch and re-shape under the torque/pressure, to avoid stress fracture.  This is not a step to rush. 

(2) Order plenty of extra rivets and be prepared to burn up a few for just practice before going 'live'.  I only did a couple, thought I had it nailed, wish I did a few more! 

(3) If any of the holes are damaged (esp. plastic grill-to-upper/lower trim attachment):  expect to improvise, and (if at all possible) dry-run your 'Plan B' before riveting expensive parts together!  We had 2 holes where the 'crunched' rivet pulled through the lower grill trim. Getting them OUT was not easy... Nor was it any easier with the first couple improvisation failures... before we finally scored with the 'insert-shank' method pictured above.  (To finish 2 damaged holes, we scrapped 5 rivets, finally shooting 7, which is probably way over par for those holes).
 
For what it's worth... We'll (eventually) be doing another one of these for the coupe restoration.  I may (sometime) be able to expand on this with additional learnings?  ...but timing is out of my control.
'67 04D (LOS) L-35/M20 (-L181A) Convertible (owned since 1975) - Bow Tie 981/1000 GOLD (July 2023)
'67 06D (LOS) L-78 Coupe (body) (1979 barn find) - Traded 2018 to my car builder!

Mike S

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Re: GRILL RIVETS 1967 (or '68?)-
« Reply #25 on: July 28, 2021, 09:09:33 PM »
 I'm glad it worked out for you.
I used a dab of white lithium grease on the rivet heads. But, my LOS that still has the original rivets has some that are split on one side so it appears that is the nature of the process and materials.

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored