C-3 - '74, Lower Tub Tire Carrier (Help)

[Raymond W.]

I will be exchanging the original lower tub "V" support bracket from a damaged tub onto a new replacement one. I presume that to remove the large flat head rivits, they are drilled out? When doing so, is there anything I should be aware of or cautious to during this drilling process? My thoughts are that I don't want to increase the diameter of the original hole, etc. Also, are these rivits installed with a rivit gun or are any special rivit tools required? Insights from anyone with any previous experience that has undertaken this task before would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 - '74, Lower Tub Tire Carrier (Help)

Ray
You will need the soft rivits used in lots of places on your Corvette. If you have them use the same size bit to drill the old ones out about 1/8". To support the tub and back up the rivit I use my vice a piece of iron stock and a helper to hold the tub. You can squash the rivits with a ball pien hammer and make it nice and round if you go slow. A pexto brand rivit set makes the job easy. The most important thing to a good looking job is to cut the rivit so you have the same amount to squash as the diameter of the rivit. Too much or too little in length will make for poor results.

Lyle

[Raymond W.]

Re: C-3 - '74, Lower Tub Tire Carrier (Help)

Lyle,

I'm picking up the NOS rivets from the same source as the lower tub (Doc Rebuild), I presume they are of the soft rivet nature you described. It's been awhile since I've pienned over soft rivets, but your point on cutting them to size should prove to be very helpful. Without the pexto brand rivet set, to cut, will any fine tooth metal saw do? I appreciate the information.

Thanks,
Ray

[Steve Wallach]

Re: C-3 - '74, Lower Tub Tire Carrier (Help)

An Air Hammer with a riveting bit works perfectly. You'll need an anvil or large flat piece of steel for backing and it's a piece of cake! (I actually have found a large Allen Wrench works great)You'll need an extra set of hands to hold the backing bar while you rivet.

Drilling the rivits isn't too hard, but if you get a gasket scraper and a hammer, you can knock the heads of the rivets off the other side and pull the V Bar out, then grind the rivets smooth, and use a punch to get them out of the holes.

The rivets from Doc Rebuild should be just fine. Go slow until you are comfortable.

Cheers,

Steve

[Raymond W.]

Re: C-3 - '74, Lower Tub Tire Carrier (Help)

Thanks Steve.