How to get these 67 grill bolts off - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brad · 01-07-2007, 01:11 AM

I'm trying to straighten out the inner grill and need to cut off these rivets that hold it on. I've tried a 4" grinder and that won't work because it grabs too much and will ruin the pieces. A Dremel will take hours and, when trying to drill them out, they just spin and there's too little to grab on to.
Anyone got any ideas?

Bishops Trucks · 01-07-2007, 01:21 AM

Sounds to me like the Dremel and some patients. I have 3 grills I have to do that to. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will show us an easy way to do this.

68shortfleet · 01-07-2007, 02:10 AM

How about a drop of loctite where they are spinning and come back in a couple of days and try the drill again?

Jason

PanelDeland · 01-07-2007, 02:15 AM

Try reachin in from behind with a pair of Vise grips.Clamp the tail of the rivet and drill the head off.I haven't done it,it is just a suggestion.You only need to drill a 1/8 or so center out of the rivet.

67arch · 01-07-2007, 12:59 PM

I just used a drill bit a little bigger than the rivet hole and then used a center punch or nail set to pop them out. Didn't damage grill at all.

cdowns · 01-07-2007, 01:20 PM

i'd try using a larger size center punch and wackin it right in the center to tighten it up then a sharp drill about 1/4-5/16 inch to drill the head off// a too small a drill bit is sometimes the worst thing to use when removing rivet heads

Dano69c10 · 01-07-2007, 02:33 PM

If I remember correctly, I used a nail punch on the back side of the rivet, couple of wacks and its off!

Robznob11 · 01-07-2007, 02:52 PM

use the drill bit thats the best way if you use about a 3/8 bit you don't even need the punch they just fall out took me about 10 min to do a grill and ive done 2 those are made out of aluminum and chew up fast...

Brad · 10-21-2007, 03:05 AM

I ended up taking a Dremel with a cut-off wheel and carefully cutting the heads off parallel with the shank, at several different sides. They'd pop right through and I didn't have to deal with them spinning in the holes.

69RAT · 10-21-2007, 08:14 AM

Sharp chisel works the best! 2-3 whacks and they're gone.

willis0107 · 10-21-2007, 10:24 AM

you can remove the entire grill and then place a pair of vice grips on the back. Drill them out and you should be ok. If it is the ones that hold the grill molding on they have a spring nut on the back of them

Brad · 10-21-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69RAT

Sharp chisel works the best! 2-3 whacks and they're gone.

The problem with this is the chisel tends to want to keep going into something you don't want it to.

Brad · 10-21-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willis0107

you can remove the entire grill and then place a pair of vice grips on the back. Drill them out and you should be ok. If it is the ones that hold the grill molding on they have a spring nut on the back of them

Removing the grill is the hard way of doing it, but not if the grill's gotta come off anyway. With drilling they just spin in their hole and there's not enough room to grip the backside when it's still bolted on.
Again, I was referring to the rivets holding the inserts in the core support, not the grill molding pieces.

Sport/Truck · 10-21-2007, 12:33 PM

I have a special chisel for my air hammer that keeps the chisel form cutting into the metal; it makes quick work with rivets. Or you could have used a right angle die grinder with a 2in disc.
s/t

Brad · 10-21-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

I have a special chisel for my air hammer that keeps the chisel form cutting into the metal; it makes quick work with rivets. Or you could have used a right angle die grinder with a 2in disc.
s/t

No, I couldn't have used either of these since you didn't bring them over!

Scott68-93-97 · 10-22-2007, 01:00 AM

use a 4 in grinder but use a flap disc intead of a grinding wheel, personally I use a flap disc for almost all my grinding just courser ones for heavier stuff, using one leaves the metal smooth and it wont grab hard and ruin the metal around it

Brad · 10-22-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott68-93-97

use a 4 in grinder but use a flap disc intead of a grinding wheel, personally I use a flap disc for almost all my grinding just courser ones for heavier stuff, using one leaves the metal smooth and it wont grab hard and ruin the metal around it

The problem with using the 4" grinder with whatever you place as the 'sandpaper' is that you run the risk of it running off and in this case you'll end up with a damaged grill very easily.

Scott68-93-97 · 10-22-2007, 04:37 PM

Did it to mine and there was no damage just a steady careful hand, I do agree with a regular grinding wheel it can be hard to control and damage the grill, even if the flap disc does slip off it wont grind into it unless your bearing down on it

**michael bustamante** · 10-22-2007, 05:41 PM

you should be able to grab the back o the rivit with some small needle nose vice grips while the grill is still mounted to the truck. I know that nornal regular vice grips wont work. good luck

01-07-2007, 01:11 AM	#1
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	How to get these 67 grill bolts off I'm trying to straighten out the inner grill and need to cut off these rivets that hold it on. I've tried a 4" grinder and that won't work because it grabs too much and will ruin the pieces. A Dremel will take hours and, when trying to drill them out, they just spin and there's too little to grab on to. Anyone got any ideas? Attached Images __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 01-07-2007 at 04:09 AM.

01-07-2007, 01:21 AM	#2
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,731	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off Sounds to me like the Dremel and some patients. I have 3 grills I have to do that to. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will show us an easy way to do this. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

01-07-2007, 02:10 AM	#3
68shortfleet Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dundee, Oregon Posts: 311	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off How about a drop of loctite where they are spinning and come back in a couple of days and try the drill again? Jason

01-07-2007, 02:15 AM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off Try reachin in from behind with a pair of Vise grips.Clamp the tail of the rivet and drill the head off.I haven't done it,it is just a suggestion.You only need to drill a 1/8 or so center out of the rivet. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-07-2007, 12:59 PM	#5
67arch WTB:Patience and Talent Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 119	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off I just used a drill bit a little bigger than the rivet hole and then used a center punch or nail set to pop them out. Didn't damage grill at all. __________________ 69 shortwide

01-07-2007, 01:20 PM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off i'd try using a larger size center punch and wackin it right in the center to tighten it up then a sharp drill about 1/4-5/16 inch to drill the head off// a too small a drill bit is sometimes the worst thing to use when removing rivet heads __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-07-2007, 02:33 PM	#7
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off If I remember correctly, I used a nail punch on the back side of the rivet, couple of wacks and its off! __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

01-07-2007, 02:52 PM	#8
Robznob11 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: brownfield texas (west texas) Posts: 1,936	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off use the drill bit thats the best way if you use about a 3/8 bit you don't even need the punch they just fall out took me about 10 min to do a grill and ive done 2 those are made out of aluminum and chew up fast... __________________ The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride! ........................ ___ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/ @disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪 LED TAILS

10-21-2007, 03:05 AM	#9
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off I ended up taking a Dremel with a cut-off wheel and carefully cutting the heads off parallel with the shank, at several different sides. They'd pop right through and I didn't have to deal with them spinning in the holes. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

10-21-2007, 08:14 AM	#10
69RAT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: hopeless in Washington Posts: 105	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off Sharp chisel works the best! 2-3 whacks and they're gone. __________________ '69 Chevy CST#'s 396/TH400, A/C

10-21-2007, 10:24 AM	#11
willis0107 67lwb Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Centralia Mo Posts: 180	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off you can remove the entire grill and then place a pair of vice grips on the back. Drill them out and you should be ok. If it is the ones that hold the grill molding on they have a spring nut on the back of them

10-21-2007, 12:33 PM	#14
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off I have a special chisel for my air hammer that keeps the chisel form cutting into the metal; it makes quick work with rivets. Or you could have used a right angle die grinder with a 2in disc. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

10-22-2007, 01:00 AM	#16
Scott68-93-97 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 475	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off use a 4 in grinder but use a flap disc intead of a grinding wheel, personally I use a flap disc for almost all my grinding just courser ones for heavier stuff, using one leaves the metal smooth and it wont grab hard and ruin the metal around it __________________ 1968 Short Fleet 350/700r4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249435 1997 Bagged XtdCab Vortec350/4L60e http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...44#post2286144 1993 XtdCab Longbed 4x4 6.5Turbo/NV4500 "Daily Driver" 1985 Toyota XtdCab 4x4 22re/W-56/Dual T-cases, Doug Thorley Header, Homebrew front and rear spring packs, Tons of Mods to suspension and drivetrain, 35" boggers, coming soon ARB's and 5.29's, Possible 4.3/700r4 swap

10-22-2007, 04:37 PM	#18
Scott68-93-97 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 475	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off Did it to mine and there was no damage just a steady careful hand, I do agree with a regular grinding wheel it can be hard to control and damage the grill, even if the flap disc does slip off it wont grind into it unless your bearing down on it __________________ 1968 Short Fleet 350/700r4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249435 1997 Bagged XtdCab Vortec350/4L60e http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...44#post2286144 1993 XtdCab Longbed 4x4 6.5Turbo/NV4500 "Daily Driver" 1985 Toyota XtdCab 4x4 22re/W-56/Dual T-cases, Doug Thorley Header, Homebrew front and rear spring packs, Tons of Mods to suspension and drivetrain, 35" boggers, coming soon ARB's and 5.29's, Possible 4.3/700r4 swap

10-22-2007, 05:41 PM	#19
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,848	Re: How to get these 67 grill bolts off you should be able to grab the back o the rivit with some small needle nose vice grips while the grill is still mounted to the truck. I know that nornal regular vice grips wont work. good luck __________________ 1967custom



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