The Ford Barn

kd4lok · 11-06-2017, 07:42 AM

I need to replace the rear floor panel on my 31 Coupe. What is the preferred way to remove the rivets holding the panel in place?

Thanks,

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-06-2017, 09:01 AM

With a center punch and a drill. Search for a drill bit called a jobber drill and it will make short work of it.

kd4lok · 11-06-2017, 09:11 AM

Thanks. I hoped not to have to grind the rivet heads but I center punched one and it appeared to be fairly hard metal so I was concerned about drilling as well.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-06-2017, 09:13 AM

It should be fairly soft as those rivets are bucked cold. Either way, a good quality US manufactured Jobber drill, -or even a Machine drill bit will do the job quickly.

Ed in Maine · 11-06-2017, 09:14 AM

If you use a dremel tool and carefully make the rivet a little thinner your center punch should do the job. Ed

wrndln · 11-06-2017, 09:18 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Brent is right on. I have removed and replaced a number of rivet in panels on my model A's. I might add, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet which is usually 3/16" in diameter. You don't want to enlarge the hole in the subrails or cross rails. I them use a punch to knock the rivet out if some of it remains in the hole.
Rusty Nelson

fundytides · 11-06-2017, 10:48 AM

The vendors have a tool for sale that goes over the top of the rivet and centers the drill. Also available from Big Flats Rivet Co. I used it to remove all the floorpan rivets in my 31 Roadster. Works ok as long as you are careful. Sometimes you might need to use an angle drill if you are in a tight spot.

wingski · 11-06-2017, 11:20 AM

Bob, it’s really not that hard once you get the hang of it. Just make sure that center punch is sharp and that you punch the center of the rivet. After that carefully drill that punched area until your drill bit brings up a few slivers of rivet. Then, take a small ball peen hammer and use the center punch to tap the rivet through. You should be able to remove the rivets without enlarging the original hole.

Mike

Oldbluoval · 11-06-2017, 08:16 PM

I always take a die grinder with a carbide ball and dimple the head of the rivet
This keeps a drill bit from wandering and wallowing off the head.
After the head comes off, tap out remainder with a punch; sometimes have to back it up (sockets have many uses!)

11-06-2017, 07:42 AM	#1
kd4lok Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Central FL Posts: 72	Floor Panel Removal I need to replace the rear floor panel on my 31 Coupe. What is the preferred way to remove the rivets holding the panel in place? Thanks, __________________ Bob

11-06-2017, 09:01 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: Floor Panel Removal With a center punch and a drill. Search for a drill bit called a jobber drill and it will make short work of it. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-06-2017, 09:11 AM	#3
kd4lok Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Central FL Posts: 72	Re: Floor Panel Removal Thanks. I hoped not to have to grind the rivet heads but I center punched one and it appeared to be fairly hard metal so I was concerned about drilling as well. __________________ Bob

11-06-2017, 09:13 AM	#4
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: Floor Panel Removal It should be fairly soft as those rivets are bucked cold. Either way, a good quality US manufactured Jobber drill, -or even a Machine drill bit will do the job quickly. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-06-2017, 09:14 AM	#5
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: Floor Panel Removal If you use a dremel tool and carefully make the rivet a little thinner your center punch should do the job. Ed

11-06-2017, 09:18 AM	#6
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: Floor Panel Removal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Brent is right on. I have removed and replaced a number of rivet in panels on my model A's. I might add, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet which is usually 3/16" in diameter. You don't want to enlarge the hole in the subrails or cross rails. I them use a punch to knock the rivet out if some of it remains in the hole. Rusty Nelson

11-06-2017, 10:48 AM	#7
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: Floor Panel Removal The vendors have a tool for sale that goes over the top of the rivet and centers the drill. Also available from Big Flats Rivet Co. I used it to remove all the floorpan rivets in my 31 Roadster. Works ok as long as you are careful. Sometimes you might need to use an angle drill if you are in a tight spot.

11-06-2017, 11:20 AM	#8
wingski Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cave Junction, Oregon Posts: 432	Re: Floor Panel Removal Bob, it’s really not that hard once you get the hang of it. Just make sure that center punch is sharp and that you punch the center of the rivet. After that carefully drill that punched area until your drill bit brings up a few slivers of rivet. Then, take a small ball peen hammer and use the center punch to tap the rivet through. You should be able to remove the rivets without enlarging the original hole. Mike

11-06-2017, 08:16 PM	#9
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,371	Re: Floor Panel Removal I always take a die grinder with a carbide ball and dimple the head of the rivet This keeps a drill bit from wandering and wallowing off the head. After the head comes off, tap out remainder with a punch; sometimes have to back it up (sockets have many uses!)