MTFCA Forum

I'm about to install the cowl lacing on my 27 model T cowl ,and was wondering which way the brass rivets would be installed. The rivets are two prongs that go through the lacing. Are they installed from the outside or the inside of the cowl?

Installed like band lining, split rivet into the lacing, head inside the cowl….best done with gas tank out, that’s how the factory done it

When I did mine the gas tank was in. Previous restorer used pop rivets. I took the rivets and filed the sides down so the rivet sat in the groove better

They are installed from the inside. The two prongs are spread and curved into and embedded into the lacing. You will need a friend on the inside holding the rivet head tight against the inside of the cowl while you spread the prongs. This is one job you cannot do alone. Jim Patrick

Thanks for the information. I will have a helper when I do this job. My son is helping me get my number 28 speedster back on the road with a new body style. Tom

Wow, just now putting my gas tank in the dash and happened to see this! THANKS! I’ll put this on first!

With the tank out, the rivets can be installed tangs out in the webbing as the factory fitted it, BUT, the two lowest on the sides will need different treatment because the rivets there cannot be inserted due to a double panel precluding same. Was the second panel fitted after the webbing? Most restorers resort to pop rivets at this location.

Allan from down under.