Distributor shield plastic rivets

[Michael G.]

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[Terry M.]

Re: Distributor shield plastic rivets

Michael,
I just restored my shield including removing/reinstalling the plastic shield. Ordered a kit from Paragon that included ground strap & metal rivets, plastic inner shield and plastic rivets. The holes in the new inner shield did not line up so I used my original. I was able to remove the original plastic rivets and used them to practice before installing the new ones. The rivets must be melted to secure them. I used my soldering gun for this. You must be very careful so as not to ruin the rivet. I was able to get one rivet melted down so it was tight against the plastic shield. The other was a wee bit loose as I could rotate the rivet. I was afraid that further heat would ruin the rivet so I simply placed some super glue around the melted head of each rivet. Now they are both tight. If you can, practice a bit with your soldering gun on the old rivets.

Terry

[Richard M.]

Re: Distributor shield plastic rivets

Another method I've used is to heat up the end of a long 3/8" bolt with a propane torch and swedge the end of the rivet. The natural indentation of the tip of the bolt acts to help capture and round off the end.

Rich

[Michael G.]

Re: Distributor shield plastic rivets

Thanks guys, I was thinking that heat was the only way to swedge them, so I bought a few to practice on. I like the idea of using a bolt point to form them. The indentation on the point varies bolt-to-bolt and I can select a shape close to the original from the vast supply of bolts that I have.