Pop Rivets?

**Steve Wallach** · February 9, 2007, 04:46 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Hi Jack,

I have thoroughly researched this also for my 68 L71 Coupe. I can't find any "GM" rivets, but regular Pop Rivets seem to work. I have found using a air compressor powered pop riveter produces close to the factory look.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

Steve

**J B.** · February 9, 2007, 05:28 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Steve,

Thank you for the response.

They look like regular pop rivets to me too. I hope someday to have this car judged. Do you have any experience with regular pop rivets relative to judging?

I see that specific rivets for the expansion tank bracket (and other brackets) are available from several of the well known reproduction suppliers. Did you ever check them out?

Regards,

Jack

**Steve Wallach** · February 9, 2007, 05:34 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Hi Jack,

I have asked those same questions. I did quite a bit of experimenting in my garage and made side by side comparisons of different rivets, hand riveted, vs. Air Pop Riveter, etc. Using a neumatic riveter from Harbor Freight gave a near exact look, the only difference was the new rivets looked new.

The Corvette Suppliers seem to send regular pop rivets which you can buy for less from PEP Boys or bulk rivet suppliers.

I have not had my 68 judged yet, but I believe these rivets will jude just fine.

Where are you located? I'm in San Diego, if your close, I'll show you what I have come up with so far.

Steve

**Henry J.** · February 9, 2007, 05:54 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

John:

On page 95 of the current Dr. Rebuild catalog (Volume 31), there is information on the 3828548 rivet, along with others. Perhaps what the good Doctor has to offer can be of help to you.

**J B.** · February 9, 2007, 05:57 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Steve,

I'm on the other side of the country. I live in Western Pennsylvania. Maybe we could swap some pictures? My email address is john_r_biddle@hotmail.com.

I get to SoCal every once in a while on business. My company has a facility in Moreno Valley. Maybe next trip we can get together.

Us 68 guys need to stick together. Seems like almost everyone I talked to at Carlisle thinks I must be crazy for messing with a 68. So, I just bought my second 68. Thought it was going to be a parts doner but now that's it's in my garage I think I may rebuild it too. The one I'm restoring is a numbers matching L79 convertible. I am determined to bring it back to the way it left the showroom. The other one I am going to play with. It's an L79 convertible too but it may continue it's life as a big block. ;-)

Thank you again for you insights on the rivets. By any chance do you have the specs for the diameter and length rivet you settled on?

Jack

**Steve Wallach** · February 9, 2007, 06:10 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Hi Henry and John,

The Doc Rebuild rivets you are talking about are impact rivets, I have bought and used those also.

The POP rivets for most locations, are common. I'll get you the specs tomorrow.

I can send you pictures in the next few days probably also.

I'm doing a complete restoration of my 68 L 71. I had Bird Cage work to do, so I removed a ton of rivets and was very careful as to what and how I decided to put back.

To duplicate the factory look, some seem best to install with a hand riveter such as the door lock pillars (by the door latch/striker) To use the neumatic riveter, it would "pucker up" the rivets, which is how they look elsewhere. The door pillar pop rivets are fairly smooth, but appear to be the same rivets. Using a hand pop rivet tool gives this look and to get the Puckered look on the rivets, I have found the neumatic tool to work best.

Steve

**J B.** · February 9, 2007, 06:17 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Henry,

I just RAN to the garage and got my Blood Bank book! Thanks for the tip. It looks like these might be solid rivets as opposed to the pop rivet type. Do you have any hands on experience with these from DocRebuild? I thought the ones I just removed from my car were the originals and they were not the solid type. This is a little confusing (go figure a 68 spec that is confusing). My chassis and body parts catalog from September 77 clearly shows the 3828548 part number. After speaking with the folks at DocRebuild I now suspect the pop rivets were not the originals.

Anybody out there with a KNOWN original 68 have any input?

Jack

**Henry J.** · February 9, 2007, 07:06 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

John:

I have used the rivets from Dr. Rebuild and they work very well because they are soft and easily deformed. The principal problem that I encountered was not with the rivets, but rather, with the person holding the rivet gun (me). Yes, I did say bad words. Any sensible man would practice on pieces off the car first.

I have a proper pneumatic rivet gun along with a proper bucking bar, both of which I got from Aircraft Supply Company. Normally, the proper tools make the job easier, unless, of course, you're me.

Riveting is a two man job and some of the locations on the car where impact rivets are to be installed are very awkward for two people to access and co-ordinate activity. I can see that it would have been much easier at the factory. If your car is completely disassembled, that will work in your favor.

Good luck with your 68.

**Joe L.** · February 9, 2007, 10:08 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Jack-----

The vast majority of aluminum rivets used on Corvettes were of the PAN HEAD, SOLID type. These were used for numerous Corvette applications and definitely for the expansion tank-to-fender bracket.

Pop rivets were also used here-and-there, but their original use was not widespread. For SERVICE, folks often use pop rivets in place of the original style rivets. That's because they're easier to get and easier to install.

For the solid rivets, the only way to go are those supplied from Dr. Rebuild. These are DEAD SOFT aluminum rivets, AS ORIGINAL. Many other rivets on the market are way too hard----you'll need a jackhammer to set them. The jackhammer will create other problems.

**J B.** · February 9, 2007, 11:38 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Joe,

Thank you for your input. Looks like I am going to have to go to rivet school and place a little order with ther Doctor.

Any suggestions for correct rivet tools suppliers?

Jack

**Steve Wallach** · February 10, 2007, 08:55 AM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Hi Jack,

Neumatic Pop rivet tool from Harbor Freight, a hand pop rivet tool from Harbor Freight, and an air hammer tool from any hardware store. The rivet bits for the air hammer are harder to find, I'm in San Diego, so I get mine from a surplus store that sells off a ton of Navy Hardware... I also use a giant Allen Wrench as the "bucking bar" for the compression riveting.

Cheers,

Steve

**Steve Wallach** · February 12, 2007, 03:11 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

www.rivetsinstock.com is a great resource for most kinds of rivets and supplies, but their minimums will have you buying thousands of rivets not just a few.

Steve

**J B.** · February 12, 2007, 04:36 PM

Re: Pop Rivets?

Steve,

Thanks. I will check out this site.

Jack

Pop Rivets?

Pop Rivets?

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