Frame Rivets - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tex_waco_usmc · 07-19-2012, 01:21 PM

I am getting ready to cut holes in the cross member that the drive shaft goes through in order to weld big pieces of pipe in there and run my exhaust through.

What is the best way to cut those rivets out and then when I go to reinstall should I use grade 8 bolts or weld or both???

TIA...

**RenoKeene** · 07-19-2012, 02:19 PM

You can grind the heads off and knock em out with a punch. Bolt it back together with grade 8.

tex_waco_usmc · 07-19-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

You can grind the heads off and knock em out with a punch. Bolt it back together with grade 8.

Could I use an air chisel on the heads or not such a good idea?

**RenoKeene** · 07-19-2012, 02:34 PM

Sure, I did it both ways, seems it was less painful with the die grinder. They are a bear either way.

tex_waco_usmc · 07-19-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

Sure, I did it both ways, seems it was less painful with the die grinder. They are a bear either way.

Is this even possible with the cab still on the frame?

white 67 · 07-19-2012, 02:37 PM

If you have a air chisel the easies way to do is to cut a x in the rivit head with a grinder and used the air chisel to knock the peices off.

magicoolbus · 07-19-2012, 02:45 PM

X2

tex_waco_usmc · 07-19-2012, 02:48 PM

Didnt even think about doing it that way! I will give that a try!

rsavage · 07-19-2012, 03:11 PM

Any rivet I could get to with a drill, I drilled through with like a 5/16" drill. Then used angle grinder (if I could get at the head), air chisel (sharpening the chisels often) and a punch. I spent the better part of a day taking out a 4 speed crossmember out of my Burb. Took the rivets out of the automatic crossmember I replaced it with too so I could put the top ears in after I had the crossmember in. Used 1/2" grade 8 bolts to bolt it in and bolt it together. It isn't one of those things you do to your truck that you enjoy.

**D.PASSMORE** · 07-19-2012, 08:57 PM

Any idea where to get replacement rivits?

07-19-2012, 01:21 PM	#1
tex_waco_usmc Project Heaven in my 67!!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bosqueville, TX Posts: 899	Frame Rivets I am getting ready to cut holes in the cross member that the drive shaft goes through in order to weld big pieces of pipe in there and run my exhaust through. What is the best way to cut those rivets out and then when I go to reinstall should I use grade 8 bolts or weld or both??? TIA...

07-19-2012, 02:19 PM	#2
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,028	Re: Frame Rivets You can grind the heads off and knock em out with a punch. Bolt it back together with grade 8. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

07-19-2012, 02:34 PM	#4
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,028	Re: Frame Rivets Sure, I did it both ways, seems it was less painful with the die grinder. They are a bear either way. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

07-19-2012, 02:37 PM	#6
white 67 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: coupeville ,washington Posts: 348	Re: Frame Rivets If you have a air chisel the easies way to do is to cut a x in the rivit head with a grinder and used the air chisel to knock the peices off.

07-19-2012, 02:45 PM	#7
magicoolbus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 513	Re: Frame Rivets X2 __________________ JB from AZ 1969 Chevy Sub K10 1957 Chevy 3200 1962 VW Beetle 1957 Willys CJ5

07-19-2012, 02:48 PM	#8
tex_waco_usmc Project Heaven in my 67!!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bosqueville, TX Posts: 899	Re: Frame Rivets Didnt even think about doing it that way! I will give that a try!

07-19-2012, 03:11 PM	#9
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Frame Rivets Any rivet I could get to with a drill, I drilled through with like a 5/16" drill. Then used angle grinder (if I could get at the head), air chisel (sharpening the chisels often) and a punch. I spent the better part of a day taking out a 4 speed crossmember out of my Burb. Took the rivets out of the automatic crossmember I replaced it with too so I could put the top ears in after I had the crossmember in. Used 1/2" grade 8 bolts to bolt it in and bolt it together. It isn't one of those things you do to your truck that you enjoy. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

07-19-2012, 08:57 PM	#10
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,059	Re: Frame Rivets Any idea where to get replacement rivits? __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

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