Rivet Install

[David R.]

What is the best way to install the rivets that hold the window channel on the door post of a 61 corvette?

[Thomas H.]

Re: Rivet Install

David,

I just went through this on my 58 and I'm assuming your 61 will be similar. First, the rivets are a bit long. I put them in for a test fit and trimmed them so there was about 1/8" sticking out of the gasket side.

I used the flat end of a power screwdriver bit and made a holder for it out of a piece of foam that centered the bit over the rivet head. Then I used a large C-clamp to compress both sides. I found that the c-clamp worked ok, but I also used the bench vise and that worked just as well (of course the posts need to be off the car to use a bench vise....)

One other point was that I used some plastic jaw locking grips and some wood to hold the channel securely into the post before I compressed the rivet.

I'm sure there are other and probably better ways to do this, but this approach worked for me.

Tom

PS: for some reason I can't upload pics tonight, I have a couple that might help clarify what I tried to describe