Rivet or Bolt

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dunoon
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Rivet or Bolt

Post by dunoon » Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:08 am

I had to remove the RT front fender bracket as it was bent. After straightening I was wondering if I could reattach with bolts instead of rivets. It would make the job a lot simpler. Thanks


jiminbartow
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by jiminbartow » Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:39 am

I would, using the proper size grade 5 or 8 bolts, flat washers and steel locknuts. The only one you have to please is yourself and it’s not as if you couldn’t replace with rivets at a later date, if you choose. This will allow you to get your T back on the road and no one will know about it, but you and the weirdo purist that crawls under your T to check :D. Jim Patrick


Russ T Fender
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by Russ T Fender » Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:49 am

They make threaded rivets that you can use. From the outside they look like just like rivets. I have used them in a number of places where I had to remove a rivet and could not install a replacement without causing damage to paint etc.


JEC
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by JEC » Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:24 pm

My 15 came with undrilled front fenders.
I used carriage bolts. They have a similar to the rivet head shape.
I drilled the hole and then used a small file to square the hole for the bolt.
I still need to file off the markings on the head.
Deciding where the holes go is the hard part
Lots of other stuff on the to do list.
Lots of fun.

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Corey Walker
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by Corey Walker » Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:54 am

I made some of those threaded rivets for a headlight door, also reduced the size of carriage bolt heads on 4 bolts that hold the coil box on my 21. Easy to do with a drill and a bench grinder or a lathe if you have one.
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Mustang1964s
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by Mustang1964s » Tue Mar 10, 2020 12:51 pm

Cory,
I like your idea. How to you get the nut tight?


tdump
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by tdump » Tue Mar 10, 2020 1:34 pm

I think I used a metric bolt in some of the rivot holes like on the running board brackets.The metric bolt was a snugger fit than the statdard bolt which means stronger
If you can't help em, don't hinder em'


Sarikatime
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by Sarikatime » Tue Mar 10, 2020 1:48 pm

Wow, that huge nail instead of the hinge pin looks factory to me. Lol. Actually a great idea On the threaded rivet and I learned something again today. Thank you. Frank


Original Smith
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by Original Smith » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:29 am

If you decide to use a bolt, be sure to turn the head down to the same diameter as the rivet.


jiminbartow
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Re: Rivet or Bolt

Post by jiminbartow » Wed Mar 11, 2020 1:24 am

To tighten a grade 2 bolt after the slot has been ground down and the head smoothed to the size of the rivet, use a bolt that is 1” longer than necessary. Holding the threaded side above the nut with needle nose vice grips, thread on an all steel lock nut and run it up to the vice grips until you can grab the threaded end below the nut with needle nose vice grips and tighten the nut as tight as possible, then cut the threaded end off close to the nut, leaving enough threaded end to heat and brad. Jim Patrick

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