replacing rivets with bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

donthekawguy · 03-31-2015, 01:28 PM

Anyone ever do it? I know there is no reason for it but I might be picking up a rolling chassis and will be taking it all apart. I think it would look cool having some grade 8's holding it all together.

1strong63 · 03-31-2015, 01:34 PM

hi you might have one reason to replace them if you weld close to one inch of a rivet.
i've done a few crossmember modification on my 63 C10 and i used grade 8 bolts with two washers and a nylon insert jam lock bolt everytime.

1963c-10 · 03-31-2015, 01:52 PM

Did my whole chassis in grade 8 wherever I removed rivets. And they are such a joy to grind out!!!

vin63 · 03-31-2015, 02:11 PM

Yep, of the rivets I've removed for modifications, replacing damaged/corroded parts, I've used regular grade 8 nut/bolt fasteners.

Keith Seymore · 03-31-2015, 02:46 PM

Must be something in the air lately:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665284

K

vince1 · 03-31-2015, 08:23 PM

I think they stay a lot tighter with rivets. I sure don't remove them unless I have to, like with ball joint replacements. The bolts are no doubt strong but they don't fill the voids and shrink like a hot rivet does.

Keith Seymore · 03-31-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince1

I think they stay a lot tighter with rivets. I sure don't remove them unless I have to, like with ball joint replacements. The bolts are no doubt strong but they don't fill the voids and shrink like a hot rivet does.

Rivets were cold headed in the assembly plant (not heated).

K

**Captainfab** · 04-01-2015, 01:44 AM

I prefer to use the prevailing torque, all steel lock nuts.

**pimpston65** · 04-01-2015, 05:13 AM

turn on a dime, are there any rivet kits i can use to replace cut out rivets? i was gonna shape the heads of grade 8 bolts to make it appear to be rivets. any help would be great!!!

53Sparky · 04-01-2015, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpston65

turn on a dime, are there any rivet kits i can use to replace cut out rivets? i was gonna shape the heads of grade 8 bolts to make it appear to be rivets. any help would be great!!!

I would think that reshaping the heads of a grade 8 bolt would defeat the purpose of using a grade 8 bolt. Not sure on the science, but my intuition says that the heat of grinding coupled with the removal of material would not likely make them stronger.

I'd hate to have something important fail while you're out on the road.

1963c-10 · 04-01-2015, 10:26 AM

And if the bolts ever became loose, youd be unable to tighten them too pimpston65.....

SayBye · 04-01-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Did my whole chassis in grade 8 wherever I removed rivets. And they are such a joy to grind out!!!

Such a joy!

Didn't take long but still a pain. I just did this two nights ago on my ebrake crossmember, had to remove it to fit my t5 in. Im bolting it back on with grade 8 3/8" bolts and nyloc nuts

**argonaut** · 04-01-2015, 11:50 AM

I had the whole frame apart on my 66. Cut out every sibgle rivet. I redrilled through all the holes to 7/16 and used grade 8, 7/16-20 fine thread bolts with hardend flat washers and grade 8 nyloc nuts. I started with 3/8 but the 7/16 bolts can handle much more torque and thus imoart much higher surface contact friction.
The compromise is that these still dont work as well in shear as the rivets do. But I rrally didnt have any other choice unless I wanted to weld all the crossmembers to the frame. Its been holding up okay so far.

urmyboyblue · 04-01-2015, 03:35 PM

Button head cap screws have a rounded look like a rivet on the head if that is what you are looking for. I would drill the hole to be tight (5/8" for a 5/8" bolt) on the next size up bolt if you are wanting to go that route.

1963c-10 · 04-01-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SayBye

Such a joy!

Didn't take long but still a pain. I just did this two nights ago on my ebrake crossmember, had to remove it to fit my t5 in. Im bolting it back on with grade 8 3/8" bolts and nyloc nuts

That's not so bad....try the bellhousing crossmember with the cab installed. Best one yet!!!

**pimpston65** · 04-01-2015, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urmyboyblue

Button head cap screws have a rounded look like a rivet on the head if that is what you are looking for. I would drill the hole to be tight (5/8" for a 5/8" bolt) on the next size up bolt if you are wanting to go that route.

thanks for the info

vince1 · 04-01-2015, 09:22 PM

Years ago I did some work on a Model A frame and cross member. I used a Chrysler wheel bolt with the dish in the head and welded it on to the end of a rivet snap. After heating the rivet red it did a really nice job of rounding the end.

But if I ever had to do one again I'd use the bolts.

03-31-2015, 01:28 PM	#1
donthekawguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rathdrum ID Posts: 1,128	replacing rivets with bolts Anyone ever do it? I know there is no reason for it but I might be picking up a rolling chassis and will be taking it all apart. I think it would look cool having some grade 8's holding it all together. __________________ 66 shorty

03-31-2015, 01:34 PM	#2
1strong63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: france Posts: 134	Re: replacing rivets with bolts hi you might have one reason to replace them if you weld close to one inch of a rivet. i've done a few crossmember modification on my 63 C10 and i used grade 8 bolts with two washers and a nylon insert jam lock bolt everytime.

03-31-2015, 01:52 PM	#3
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: replacing rivets with bolts Did my whole chassis in grade 8 wherever I removed rivets. And they are such a joy to grind out!!! __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

03-31-2015, 02:11 PM	#4
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,261	Re: replacing rivets with bolts Yep, of the rivets I've removed for modifications, replacing damaged/corroded parts, I've used regular grade 8 nut/bolt fasteners. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

03-31-2015, 02:46 PM	#5
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,178	Re: replacing rivets with bolts Must be something in the air lately: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665284 K Attached Images __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

03-31-2015, 08:23 PM	#6
vince1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,166	Re: replacing rivets with bolts I think they stay a lot tighter with rivets. I sure don't remove them unless I have to, like with ball joint replacements. The bolts are no doubt strong but they don't fill the voids and shrink like a hot rivet does.

04-01-2015, 01:44 AM	#8
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: replacing rivets with bolts I prefer to use the prevailing torque, all steel lock nuts. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

04-01-2015, 05:13 AM	#9
pimpston65 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: corktown,mi. Posts: 5,194	Re: replacing rivets with bolts turn on a dime, are there any rivet kits i can use to replace cut out rivets? i was gonna shape the heads of grade 8 bolts to make it appear to be rivets. any help would be great!!!

04-01-2015, 10:26 AM	#11
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: replacing rivets with bolts And if the bolts ever became loose, youd be unable to tighten them too pimpston65..... __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

04-01-2015, 11:50 AM	#13
argonaut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,813	Re: replacing rivets with bolts I had the whole frame apart on my 66. Cut out every sibgle rivet. I redrilled through all the holes to 7/16 and used grade 8, 7/16-20 fine thread bolts with hardend flat washers and grade 8 nyloc nuts. I started with 3/8 but the 7/16 bolts can handle much more torque and thus imoart much higher surface contact friction. The compromise is that these still dont work as well in shear as the rivets do. But I rrally didnt have any other choice unless I wanted to weld all the crossmembers to the frame. Its been holding up okay so far. __________________ Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble!

04-01-2015, 03:35 PM	#14
urmyboyblue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Montevallo, AL Posts: 272	Re: replacing rivets with bolts Button head cap screws have a rounded look like a rivet on the head if that is what you are looking for. I would drill the hole to be tight (5/8" for a 5/8" bolt) on the next size up bolt if you are wanting to go that route.

04-01-2015, 09:22 PM	#17
vince1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,166	Re: replacing rivets with bolts Years ago I did some work on a Model A frame and cross member. I used a Chrysler wheel bolt with the dish in the head and welded it on to the end of a rivet snap. After heating the rivet red it did a really nice job of rounding the end. But if I ever had to do one again I'd use the bolts.



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