The Ford Barn

My3window · 10-15-2012, 04:36 PM

Question please: I am in the process of replacing my tired roof insert channel with a better one that I came upon. In removing the old channel, I've noticed there are approximately 40 copper rivets going through the channel and into the underside of my top. Can anyone tell me if there was a reason Ford used copper rivets as fasteners? I'm wondering if it might have had something to do with radio antenna reception as I discovered the remains of a screen in what was left with my original top fabric.

I might have a difficult time finding copper rivets and was thinking I could use flathead machine screws with nuts on the underside if the use of copper is not necessary.

Thank you again as I have received many helpful comments to my questions on this website.
Tom

deuce lover · 10-15-2012, 05:26 PM

Never seen any installed with copper rivets.They were screwed to the wood originally.At least my orig 34 Vicky's was.

DavidG · 10-15-2012, 07:13 PM

Coupe, Tudors, and Fordors are evidently different as there is no direct attachment between the channel and the wood roof ribs.

Copper or brass rivets used to attach the channel pieces to the steel roof stamping suggest corrosion protection more than electrical transmission capability, particularly given that the chicken wire used between the wood ribs was isolated in electrical terms; otherwise it would be useless as a radio antenna.

ford38v8 · 10-15-2012, 07:38 PM

With respect only to rivets, I've never seen copper rivets, but brass rivets are common.

quickchange34 · 10-15-2012, 09:39 PM

To answer your question. Your idea of using flathead machine screws will work fine. Use stainless.

David J · 10-16-2012, 10:05 AM

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I would assume this is what you're talking about . I checked numerous cars [ 33 & 34 ] including this 34 2d hulk and ALL have steel rivets like in the pic . The chicken wire does NOT contact this anyplace - in fact my 33 5w that had it's gennie Dupont roof in it yet had NO chicken wire . May car . Sheldon ; I'm really struggling with your post ? Screwed to the wood ?

My3window · 10-16-2012, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the photo David J. Yes, those look like the same size rivets I'm dealing with except mine are copper plated.
Many thanks for all the comments!

Paul Selfe · 10-16-2012, 12:36 PM

McMaster Carr has both Copper, and Copper plated Steel rivets. Copper are used for leather belt applications. Paul Selfe.

Terry,OH · 10-17-2012, 06:20 AM

I don't see any reason why you could not use steel screws, but I would suggest stainless steel due to moisture. You could also use slightly smaller head especially if the new material is denser than the old fiber stuff. I use lock tight on any nuts so they do not vibrate loose. For 34 the chicken wire is the first layer installed then the thin layer of padding and then the final top material. The chicken wire and the pad are NOT attached to the tack strip. The chicken wire can be stapled to the top of the wood top bows so it does not move during top installation. Ford used the chicken wire as support for the soft top and antenna if the car was equipped with a radio.

10-15-2012, 04:36 PM	#1
My3window Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Helena, California Posts: 252	34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets Question please: I am in the process of replacing my tired roof insert channel with a better one that I came upon. In removing the old channel, I've noticed there are approximately 40 copper rivets going through the channel and into the underside of my top. Can anyone tell me if there was a reason Ford used copper rivets as fasteners? I'm wondering if it might have had something to do with radio antenna reception as I discovered the remains of a screen in what was left with my original top fabric. I might have a difficult time finding copper rivets and was thinking I could use flathead machine screws with nuts on the underside if the use of copper is not necessary. Thank you again as I have received many helpful comments to my questions on this website. Tom

10-15-2012, 05:26 PM	#2
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,308	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets Never seen any installed with copper rivets.They were screwed to the wood originally.At least my orig 34 Vicky's was.

10-15-2012, 07:13 PM	#3
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,104	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets Coupe, Tudors, and Fordors are evidently different as there is no direct attachment between the channel and the wood roof ribs. Copper or brass rivets used to attach the channel pieces to the steel roof stamping suggest corrosion protection more than electrical transmission capability, particularly given that the chicken wire used between the wood ribs was isolated in electrical terms; otherwise it would be useless as a radio antenna.

10-15-2012, 07:38 PM	#4
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,648	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets With respect only to rivets, I've never seen copper rivets, but brass rivets are common. __________________ Alan

10-15-2012, 09:39 PM	#5
quickchange34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: charlottesville, Va. Posts: 589	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets To answer your question. Your idea of using flathead machine screws will work fine. Use stainless.

10-16-2012, 11:34 AM	#7
My3window Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Helena, California Posts: 252	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets Thanks for the photo David J. Yes, those look like the same size rivets I'm dealing with except mine are copper plated. Many thanks for all the comments!

10-16-2012, 12:36 PM	#8
Paul Selfe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Novelty, Ohio Posts: 136	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets McMaster Carr has both Copper, and Copper plated Steel rivets. Copper are used for leather belt applications. Paul Selfe.

10-17-2012, 06:20 AM	#9
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,753	Re: 34 roof insert channel w/Copper Rivets I don't see any reason why you could not use steel screws, but I would suggest stainless steel due to moisture. You could also use slightly smaller head especially if the new material is denser than the old fiber stuff. I use lock tight on any nuts so they do not vibrate loose. For 34 the chicken wire is the first layer installed then the thin layer of padding and then the final top material. The chicken wire and the pad are NOT attached to the tack strip. The chicken wire can be stapled to the top of the wood top bows so it does not move during top installation. Ford used the chicken wire as support for the soft top and antenna if the car was equipped with a radio.