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Old 12-25-2010, 09:42 PM   #1
ryans69chevy
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pop rivet gun

I want to strip my 49 chevy 3100 frame completely so I'm gonna need brand new pop rivets to put back everything. Where do you guys suggest I buy these from? I'm in need of a good rivet gun for the job. I don't have an air compressor. Just time and hopefully a lot of strength lol. Any thoughts on where to buy a good gun? Thanks!

I hope I'm not stupid for grinding all these pop rivets just to get the frame a little cleaner...
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Old 12-25-2010, 10:35 PM   #2
allengator
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Re: pop rivet gun

How far you want to tear down the frame is up to you... But don't go so far that it's hard to get everything back square and straight.

I'm not familar with a 49 frame, but I seriously doubt it is POP riveted.
Most likely it is is just riveted. It is a completly different process.

I'm sure people will chime in that have more frame experience than me...
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Old 12-27-2010, 01:31 AM   #3
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Re: pop rivet gun

Yup, them ain't POP rivets. POP rivets (or blind rivets) are NOT for structural use plus I don't think I've ever seen one bigger than 1/4".

The rivets in the frame are solid rivets. They are inserted (big ones are usually heated) through the two pieces and bucked (the back side is hammered forming a second head). It can be done at home but without the proper tools it's not a fun process.

Did you take the frame completely apart? If you did, you're going to have to make sure everything is square during reassembly.

You can replace the rivets with bolts. Use grade 8 hardware (bolts, nuts, and washers) and go up a size (i.e. if the rivets are 7/16" go to a 1/2" bolt). When enlarging holes, use a good drill bit and make sure you're square to the hole. You want the fit to be snug.

Make sure the bolts are the proper length. Also, torque the bolts to proper spec. Too tight or too loose are both bad. And finally, you don't want the bolts to loosen up over time so peen the bolts, use red locktite, or tack the nuts to the exposed threads.

Once the frame is bolted together and you're sure it's square, you can weld all of the cross members and hangers in place. Not really a necessary step but it will add a layer of safety. Leave the bolts in. Obviously don't weld anything you may want to remove at some point, like the tranny cross-member for example.
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Old 12-27-2010, 08:31 AM   #4
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Re: pop rivet gun

i think you wood b far better off in the long run leaving the frame complete
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