C3 Tire Tub Rivets

[JOHN T WILSON]

The 72 Corvette I purchased has a new tire tub and Y-strap. i ordered a
set of rivets from CC to correct the tub but I'm unsure how to attach the rivets. Is there a special tool or doi take a hammer and start banging.

[Craig S.]

Re: C3 Tire Tub Rivets

I believe the Doc Rebuild catalog and possibly online website has tips on installing these....fyi, some of the repro rivets are too hard and not the dead soft aluminum rivets sold by Doc. There are differences in the head finishes too. As I recall, there is no special rivet set for this operation, but there may be a correct technique to make the set look the way GM did it...Craig

[John H.]

Re: C3 Tire Tub Rivets

Here's what I use (see photo at link below) - an Ingersoll-Rand air gun, dedicated regulator just for this application (set at 15-20 psi), and a concave-face 3/16" rivet-setting tool on a .401" shank to fit the gun. Aircraft Tool Supply Co. ( http://www.aircraft-tool.com ) has a terrific selection of 3/16" rivet-setting tools in many lengths and shank shapes. Just trim the (soft) rivet (I get mine from Dr. Rebuild) to correct length, back up the large end with an old hammer head, and the rivet-setter peens it in a flash with a nice rounded end.




Riveting Setup