Brazier head rivets

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by wrndln

As most model A people know, Ford used brazier head rivets to fasten a lot of sheetmetal parts together like quarterpanels to subrail, seat frames to subrails, etc. I have looked for some longer 3/16" brazier head rivets, 1/2" or even 5/8" to rivet 3 or 4 pieces of metal together in a few spots. I can't find these lengths of steel rivets any place including BigFlats, McMaster-Carr, Granger, Ebay and some other internet sites. There are aluminum rivets in these lengths, but I have heard not to mix dissimilar metals. I don't know why some people say not to mix metals. If anyone know where brazier head rivet in these lengths can be purchased, please post a response. Also, if anyone knows whether aluminum rivets can be used on painted steel (model A metal), please post the information.
Thanks for any help.
Rusty Nelson

The way way simplistic answer is if they get wet they form a "battery" and corrode the metals.

Others will post here soon with tons more on galvanic action of dissimilar metals.