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Old 11-17-2019, 08:42 AM   #1
Tim R Hansen
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Default Data plate rivet holes don't line up

Just purchased a data plate for the firewall on my late 31 Coupe. The rivet holes in the firewall don't line up with the holes in the repro plate. Holes are off by about 1/16" My firewall is not a re-stamp. Anyone run into this?
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Old 11-17-2019, 09:08 AM   #2
Joop
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

Can you post a picture
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Old 11-17-2019, 09:24 AM   #3
Tim R Hansen
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

I can try but it will be difficult to show. The two bottom holes line up but the two top holes are both about 1/16 lower than the holes in the plate
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Old 11-17-2019, 09:54 AM   #4
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

I had this problem when restoring my 190A. Rather than rework the original holes in the firewall, I pulled the holes in data plate using a rat tail file. Look closely and you can see the elongation of the holes. My hope is that a correct fitting plate will eventually become available.
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Old 11-17-2019, 10:00 AM   #5
Ed in Maine
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

I experienced this problem also. Like Bob has suggested, I elongated the holes and found that the heads of the rivets did cover the holes in the plate. You may have to elongate all four holes in the plate to get the fit you want. Ed
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Old 11-17-2019, 10:44 PM   #6
SteveB31
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

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The file will work, but if you buy a good US made patent plate, they will line up perfect. Chinese patent plate won’t.
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Old 11-18-2019, 09:26 AM   #7
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

The plate I bought from Berts lined up perfectly.
https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...&category_id=0
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Old 11-18-2019, 10:52 AM   #8
SSsssteamer
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine View Post
I experienced this problem also. Like Bob has suggested, I elongated the holes and found that the heads of the rivets did cover the holes in the plate. You may have to elongate all four holes in the plate to get the fit you want. Ed
Ditto. For over 50 years, the repro data plates have had to have their drilled holes adjusted to match the firewall rivet holes.
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Old 11-18-2019, 08:52 PM   #9
Tim R Hansen
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

I made it work. Next time I go to Bert's first
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Old 11-19-2019, 12:22 AM   #10
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

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Originally Posted by SteveB31 View Post
The file will work, but if you buy a good US made patent plate, they will line up perfect. Chinese patent plate won’t.
Who do you recommend as a supplier?

Charlie Stephens
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Old 11-19-2019, 01:40 AM   #11
cpf240
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

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Originally Posted by Tim R Hansen View Post
I made it work. Next time I go to Bert's first
Where did you buy the I’ll-fitting plate?

No matter who the vendor is, I’d suggest calling and ask if one part is better than another. Places like Berts, Brattons, Snyder’s, etc will give you their opinion.
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Old 11-19-2019, 08:44 AM   #12
Benson
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

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Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens View Post
Who do you recommend as a supplier?

Charlie Stephens

Berts Model A Center has the correct sized plates.


www.modelastore.com


With some parts there are several sources for parts and Berts has used the various parts and they know which ones are good and which are not so good!
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Old 11-19-2019, 05:39 PM   #13
Oldbluoval
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

Bert’s is a great source
Every time I tell someone and they don’t...... I get to use one of
My favorite phrases....
“I told u so”
:-)
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Old 11-19-2019, 06:13 PM   #14
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: Data plate rivet holes don't line up

I bought one from Mike’s, it fit perfectly
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