The Ford Barn

spdway1 · 09-02-2013, 10:43 AM

What is the best process to replace rivets in the frame?

Thank you.

Barry B./ Ma. · 09-02-2013, 12:13 PM

Don do you mean replacing rivets with rivets, or something else like the process to replace the rivets, or replacing them with bolts? I replaced rivets in a chassis once with 5/16-24 button head cap screws, I tapped the holes ran the screws in and used lockwashers and nuts. Worked very well.

Mike V. Florida · 09-02-2013, 01:51 PM

Begin by bolting the assembly together. Be sure the alignments are satisfactory and everything is tight.

Remove one bolt and replace it with a rivet. Place the head on the side that is hardest to get to, and the end you will be working on the side easiest to work on. Hold the head of the rivet in place with a steel bar clamped with "c-clamps" or Vice Grips or however you can, to support the rivet SECURELY so that it will not move when you begin hitting the rivet.

When the rivet is secure, begin heating the exposed shank of the rivet with a welding torch with a medium tip. If the tip is to small you will heat the surrounding area too much, if too large, the rivet will be overheated and distort. You are not welding the rivet into the hole!

Heat the shank of the rivet "cherry red' and begin working it with a ball peen hammer. You want to expand the rivet into the hole then have it swell to begin to make the head. You will need to reheat the rivet as it cools. Form a rough head using heat and the hammer. Once you have a rough head the final thing to do is to finish the head with the appropriate bucking bar. Place the bucking bar over the head and strike the bucking bar with your hammer to form the head and tighten the rivet. When the rivet cools it should tighten the assembly. If there is a ring around the head of the rivet when you finish, the rivet was probably too long, try the next one slightly (1/32) shorter, if the head doesn't fill, try a little longer.

From, http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/model_a_kits.html/

spdway1 · 09-02-2013, 05:43 PM

Barry,
I want to replace bolts with the correct rivets, anyone in our area do this?
Thanks,
Don Jr.

Barry B./ Ma. · 09-02-2013, 07:45 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by spdway1

Barry,
I want to replace bolts with the correct rivets, anyone in our area do this?
Thanks,
Don Jr.

Nobody comes to mind in my area. Good luck...Barry

09-02-2013, 10:43 AM	#1
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,493	Replacing Rivets in the Frame What is the best process to replace rivets in the frame? Thank you.

09-02-2013, 12:13 PM	#2
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: Replacing Rivets in the Frame Don do you mean replacing rivets with rivets, or something else like the process to replace the rivets, or replacing them with bolts? I replaced rivets in a chassis once with 5/16-24 button head cap screws, I tapped the holes ran the screws in and used lockwashers and nuts. Worked very well.

09-02-2013, 01:51 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Replacing Rivets in the Frame Begin by bolting the assembly together. Be sure the alignments are satisfactory and everything is tight. Remove one bolt and replace it with a rivet. Place the head on the side that is hardest to get to, and the end you will be working on the side easiest to work on. Hold the head of the rivet in place with a steel bar clamped with "c-clamps" or Vice Grips or however you can, to support the rivet SECURELY so that it will not move when you begin hitting the rivet. When the rivet is secure, begin heating the exposed shank of the rivet with a welding torch with a medium tip. If the tip is to small you will heat the surrounding area too much, if too large, the rivet will be overheated and distort. You are not welding the rivet into the hole! Heat the shank of the rivet "cherry red' and begin working it with a ball peen hammer. You want to expand the rivet into the hole then have it swell to begin to make the head. You will need to reheat the rivet as it cools. Form a rough head using heat and the hammer. Once you have a rough head the final thing to do is to finish the head with the appropriate bucking bar. Place the bucking bar over the head and strike the bucking bar with your hammer to form the head and tighten the rivet. When the rivet cools it should tighten the assembly. If there is a ring around the head of the rivet when you finish, the rivet was probably too long, try the next one slightly (1/32) shorter, if the head doesn't fill, try a little longer. From, http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/model_a_kits.html/ __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-02-2013, 05:43 PM	#4
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,493	Re: Replacing Rivets in the Frame Barry, I want to replace bolts with the correct rivets, anyone in our area do this? Thanks, Don Jr.