Early C3 Round head body rivet source

[Greg L.]

I'm trying to find a source for round/oval(not sure what to call them) head body rivets for my 69. The ones that I have seen offered for C3's are of the flat head only type and I have those but now I need a few of the round head type but no ones seems to offer them. I have seen some oval head ones for the 53-62 that look like they might be right but that would just be a guess.

Any suggestions on where to find these C3 round/oval head rivets? These are what I am refering to.

The two at the top of the inner fender.

And this is why I need one.

Any tips are appreciated.

Greg Linton
#45455

[Chuck S.]

Re: Early C3 Round head body rivet source

Hmmmm...On a late 70, the driver side hose clamp (first picture) has a rivet head in the bottom of the hood drip ledge that is the large flat head style. This would be for the wiper relay on the driver side firewall; I believe 69s have the relay on the passenger side inner fender and that is the illustrated hose clamp's function (third picture).

From what my AIM is showing, I'm guessing that later 71/72 hose clamps have the rivets in the side of the hood ledge, rather than the bottom like the earlier cars. A flat head rivet makes more sense in the hood ledge location...Did you remove a round head rivet?

If you're convinced it should be a "round head" rivet, you might order the oval head rivets and compare; I vaguely remember partially working this problem once before, and I seem to remember that being my conclusion.

[Greg L.]

Re: Early C3 Round head body rivet source

Thanks Chuck, Yes I am positive that it should be a round head rivet.

I had it in a bag with that clamp for the longest time but now it is AWOL. The one on the drivers side for sure has the tail on the clamp side so both of these are positively round or oval head rivets. I would like to try a C1 rivet but I don't have any experience at all with C1's so I have no idea if those early round/oval head rivets are the same as the ones on the early C3 hood ledges or not...might just have to chance it and order some if I can't get a positive ID on the two types.

Would it help if I measured the size of the head and shank and then found someone to compare that to a C1 rivet?

[Chuck S.]

Somewhat Subjective For Head Type...

But it might work. Until someone volunteers, another approach will be to go to your 69 AIM, and determine the GM part number of the rivet used for the hose clamp. Then, go to the Doc's website page on body rivets (link given below).

If your part number matches one of the GM numbers he has there for the 53-62 oval head body rivets, you're golden; order $5.50 worth...you'll have a few extras left over. If you can't find a number that matches, the rivet is probably NOT the oval headed rivet, and now you'll have to decide where you can find something that IS a close match. Joe Lucia may be able to take your part number and give you a description; but, after that, good luck in finding an aluminum rivet of the proper configuration.

I can't say I have EVER seen a true round head rivet on my 70 body (I'm thinking...hmmmm...nahhh). The steel rivets that attach the ball joints to the control arms are the only round head rivets I can remember. A true round head rivet has a head height probably half the head diameter...pretty meaty rivet head, and not easily mistaken for something else.




Doc Rebuild's Old Parts Shed

[Greg L.]

Re: Somewhat Subjective For Head Type...

Ah the good ole AIM! I really need to start using that more now that I'm actually geting close to the assembly stage!

Okay, it shows a 3828548 rivet for the one in the pic on the drivers side(first pic). I can not find any place in the AIM the one for the passenger side though. This wiper vacuum relay moved from the passenger inner fender to the firewall later on in 69 so that might be why it isn't shown in the earlier position in the AIM. I'll bet that to find my missing rivet for the passenger side I'd have to look in a 68 AIM. At any rate I'm pretty sure that it would be the same rivet for each side.

Now...the rivets in the second pic which I assumed would be the same are of part number 455624 but that might be due to two different suppliers...maybe. I checked out Doc's link and I found each part number but it doesn't show head type. The way it looks I'd have to guess that the 3828548 number is a flat head rivet where as mine is not.

So now I have part numbers....just still not sure which rivet to order. For what it's worth I'm 99.9% sure that my rivets are original to the car.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Somewhat Subjective For Head Type...

"...I checked out Doc's link and I found each part number but it doesn't show head type. The way it looks I'd have to guess that the 3828548 number is a flat head rivet where as mine is not..."

Awwww...It sure does show head type! The second table down, where you saw the 3828548 part number is for the 63-82 style rivet. The Doctor sez: 3828548 is the large flat head rivet with a 7/16" long shank.

I agree...the rivet would be the same on both sides. It's possible the reproduced 69 AIM is the latest version, and therefore may not include earlier rivet part numbers once they were superceded. You can safely assume that any changes in the rivet part number would not have been incorporated into production until several months after the drawing revision.

HOWEVER...There is more info in the AIM that I think will positively awswer your question. See if your 69 AIM has a page UPC 12/Sheet A6...this sheet will be titled FORWARD LAMP WIRING HARNESS, HORN RELAY MOUNTING.

On my 70 sheet, there is only one detail showing the harness/hose clamp attachment that calls out the rivet item number (part number). Other harness/hose clamp drawings, with the possible exception of the later 3828548 use, do not call out the rivet part number. This detail can be assumed to be typical for ALL harness/hose clamps unless otherwise noted...the use of 3828548 you found would be such an exception, but I suspect this revision didn't happen until later in the year. The detail in the 70 AIM has rivet part number 455624. This is your required part number; I guarantee it.

If you go back to Doc's page (last table) with that part number, you will find that 455624 is the part number for the 53-62 "oval head" rivet with 1/2" long shank.

[Rod K.]

Re: Somewhat Subjective For Head Type...

Greg,

I looked at some 455624 rivets as shown in my '57 AIM. They are 3/16" dia shank, 3/8" dia head about 1/8" head height, with a full spherical radius. Some repros I have have a flat on the top of the spherical radius, apparently incorrect and I can't tell you where I got them. I'll use them where the head won't be exposed. Hope this may be of some use to you.

[Greg L.]

Re: Somewhat Subjective For Head Type...

Thanks guys. I was leaning pretty heavy towards the 455624 rivets but just wanted a little assurance and I think I have that now and more!

Thanks again you were a great help!

[Chuck S.]

In Spite Of Doc's Impeccable Record...

For comprehensive and accurate catalog listings, I believe I might examine the shank length of a few other "large flat head rivet" part numbers in body applications to confirm the 1/2" shank length given for 455624.

Even after the rivet is peened, that seems like a lot of "grip length" for attaching a sheet metal clamp to a fiberglass panel 0.100" or less thick. You may find 3/8" to 7/16" shank length is plenty to give you a nice peened head. Or...you can try the 1/2" shank and see what happens; if you end up with a big wad on the underside, drill it out and try again.