C2 Heater Box Rivet Finish

[Greg T.]

Does anyone know what the original finish is on the steel rivets used to assemble the heater box? Mine were all rusty. It's an early 66.

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Heater Box Rivet Finish

Greg...

They appear to be bare steel on my late(June)'66.

[Wayne M.]

Plain carbon steel (minor rust) on late July '65 *NM*

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Plain carbon steel (minor rust) on late July '

I've restored several boxes and all I have ever taken out were aluminum rivets.

I rebuild them with aluminum also. So, I don't understand the rust unless the metal face has rusted and the rust has moved over the rivet?

Harry

[Rob A.]

Re: Plain carbon steel (minor rust) on late July '

I checked the rivets visible from the passenger seat and they are magnetic. Maybe some of them are aluminum, but these aren't.

[Jim S.]

Heater box rivets

Is this what you guys are talking about ?

Herer is what mine looked like after pulling from my mid 66.
They are magnetic.

[Jim S.]

Re: Heater box rivets

Here is how I fiqured they should look.

Yes or no ?

[Greg T.]

Re: Heater box rivets

I don't know, I know all of mine were rusty steel but were they zinc plated originally? Maybe phosphate? I was hoping one of the gurus would chime in. Did you use aluminum rivets on yours or is that original? I know you have to remove the large steel plenum panel to replace the foam seals on the big flapper. The seal kits from the vendors use aluminum rivets. Yours looks really good.

[Jim S.]

Re: Heater box rivets

Those are the originals. I buffed them up and clearcoated them. As to how or if they were plated origanally , I have no idea. I just know they were not aluminum

I replaced all the seals without removing any rivets . I even added some extras, as suggested by Dr. Rebuilt. I did take apart everything else that I could though !

Jim