how to change rivets on 72 outer grill shell???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

one legged lance · 05-13-2002, 10:28 AM

Hello & Howdy to all who have went down this road before....
I just bought a new outer grill shell for my 72 C-10 and when I tried to put in on I saw that it didn't have the needed brackets.
Looks like I am going to have to grind/drill????? out the rivets on my old one and somehow attached them to the new???
Where do I find these rivets??? Do I have to use them or can I use bolts??? Pop rivets???
Help!!!!!!!
Thanks in advance,
1 Leg Lance

69 longhorn · 05-13-2002, 12:21 PM

I have used poprivets,& if i remember they are 3/16"dia.........stainless would be nice,but will probably require a pneumatic rivet gun to pull them. good luck... 69

Big69C20 Toy · 05-13-2002, 12:23 PM

Yes aluminum pop rivets. Gun should cost you like 15 or less i'd say at a local store and the rivets run $3 a pack i think. Need either 1/4 or maybe 3/8" rivets, not totally sure. For removal just use a nice drill and they should come out fairly easy, they're only aluminum. That's how i did my 69's grille a few weeks back and it worked grand.
Good luck

------------------
69 Custom 20, 396BB,Longbed fleetside.
New Oak Bed With SS strips.

Edelbrock performer RPM-O, Edelbrock 750Carb, Headers, HEI, 2 40" glasspacks.
Stereo: Classic-style tape deck/radio, 2 6x9 Cerwin Vega's in doors, 2 10" Neo subs under seats, 1 900 Watt amp.

SN= Ares220 on AIM.

Located in Beautiful Southern Cali or Michigan when i'm at school.

keenee · 05-13-2002, 02:11 PM

We use small carrage bolts they look much like the original rivets

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72 3/4 lwb fleet 427 t350 4x4 under construction

bobs409 · 05-14-2002, 05:56 AM

Im doing mine right now. I used a 1/4" drill bit on the back side of the rivet. Don't drill all the way through, just enough to remove the back side of the rivet. Then tap the rest out.

For replacements, I found nothing beats the threaded rivets that Late Great Chevy's have. From the top, they look just like the factory rivets but on the bottom they have a threaded shaft and small nut. This way, there's no pounding in of the original type and they look correct unlike pop rivets. You can also remove/reinstall them anytime you need to.

So far, I haven't found them anywhere else but LGC.

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

05-13-2002, 10:28 AM	#1
one legged lance Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Phx,Az USA Posts: 67	how to change rivets on 72 outer grill shell???? Hello & Howdy to all who have went down this road before.... I just bought a new outer grill shell for my 72 C-10 and when I tried to put in on I saw that it didn't have the needed brackets. Looks like I am going to have to grind/drill????? out the rivets on my old one and somehow attached them to the new??? Where do I find these rivets??? Do I have to use them or can I use bolts??? Pop rivets??? Help!!!!!!! Thanks in advance, 1 Leg Lance

05-13-2002, 12:21 PM	#2
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	I have used poprivets,& if i remember they are 3/16"dia.........stainless would be nice,but will probably require a pneumatic rivet gun to pull them. good luck... 69 __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

05-13-2002, 12:23 PM	#3
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	Yes aluminum pop rivets. Gun should cost you like 15 or less i'd say at a local store and the rivets run $3 a pack i think. Need either 1/4 or maybe 3/8" rivets, not totally sure. For removal just use a nice drill and they should come out fairly easy, they're only aluminum. That's how i did my 69's grille a few weeks back and it worked grand. Good luck ------------------ 69 Custom 20, 396BB,Longbed fleetside. New Oak Bed With SS strips. Edelbrock performer RPM-O, Edelbrock 750Carb, Headers, HEI, 2 40" glasspacks. Stereo: Classic-style tape deck/radio, 2 6x9 Cerwin Vega's in doors, 2 10" Neo subs under seats, 1 900 Watt amp. SN= Ares220 on AIM. Located in Beautiful Southern Cali or Michigan when i'm at school. __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

05-13-2002, 02:11 PM	#4
keenee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston, Pennsylvania Posts: 231	We use small carrage bolts they look much like the original rivets ------------------ 72 3/4 lwb fleet 427 t350 4x4 under construction __________________ '96 GMC Suburban 6.5t '99 F**d Windstar '07 SON '09 DAUGHTER XOXOXO Wife

05-14-2002, 05:56 AM	#5
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Im doing mine right now. I used a 1/4" drill bit on the back side of the rivet. Don't drill all the way through, just enough to remove the back side of the rivet. Then tap the rest out. For replacements, I found nothing beats the threaded rivets that Late Great Chevy's have. From the top, they look just like the factory rivets but on the bottom they have a threaded shaft and small nut. This way, there's no pounding in of the original type and they look correct unlike pop rivets. You can also remove/reinstall them anytime you need to. So far, I haven't found them anywhere else but LGC. ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10



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