47-55.1 rear fender brace rivots - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jackson · 12-22-2019, 10:14 AM

its hard to do body work around the two little brace rivots. I was thinking I could remove them an use small carriage bolts. should have the same look. what do you guys think?

**hogfarm** · 12-22-2019, 10:29 AM

If you use stainless steel carriage bolts they are smooth on the top,so they look more like rivets

mr48chev · 12-22-2019, 07:22 PM

I've taken a file to the square part of the back side of carriage bolts before to round them off enough to slip in a round hole. It isn't a big deal when you only have a small number to do.

There are some round head rivet looking bolts around that have a serrated edge on the back but I don't know if a guy can buy real small quantities anywhere.

Or something like this https://www.althafastener.com/Rivet-Screw_c_610.html

**joedoh** · 12-22-2019, 08:55 PM

with the right kind of rivet you can cut the head off with no change to the holding capacity, it takes a dimensional type with very exact hole sizes, and the bucked rivet holds from the sides and not the head/base. aircraft use them, although they are aluminum for aluminum skin so you cant use them on steel (they would hold but would be impossible to bodywork)

for that matter though, you could just weld it and bodywork it. no more work than a rivet to separate the pieces if you ever need to, and not as glaringly apparent as carriage bolts, no matter how small you get them

MARTINSR · 12-23-2019, 09:56 AM

I will never forget when I was rebuilding my truck in 1979 I was working at a full on restoration shop and trying to figure out what I was going to do with those rivets. We had an old gym style locker set up in the shop for tools. I was getting something out when I noticed the "rivets" were #10 machine screws! I pulled four out and replaced with regular #10's and used those bolts on my truck. They had a little ribbed area there under the head so they stuck into the hole and wouldn't rotate when you tightened them!

And be sure you have no bondo there where they go! Metal finish it so there is little primer and paint too at that point.

Brian

Katrina/10 · 12-24-2019, 09:36 AM

I used gym locker rivets, too!

72Mountaineer · 12-24-2019, 10:28 AM

Take the rivets out, plug the holes, weld the brace to the fender. Rivets gone, nice smooth fender.

jackson · 12-24-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72Mountaineer

Take the rivets out, plug the holes, weld the brace to the fender. Rivets gone, nice smooth fender.

will it crack down the road "no pun intended"

MARTINSR · 12-24-2019, 06:20 PM

Yep, DO NOT weld them up! If nothing else you will have "ghost" divets for SURE but cracking is also very real.

Brian

MARTINSR · 12-24-2019, 06:21 PM

The thing I have thought about is welding a tab on the inside of the fender then bending the bracket into it bolting it to the lip underneath so you can't see it.

Brian

**youngrodder** · 12-25-2019, 06:54 PM

I never cared for the look of them so I just plug welded the hole and body worked it smooth.....

Marc

12-22-2019, 10:29 AM	#2
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 582	Re: rear fender brace rivots If you use stainless steel carriage bolts they are smooth on the top,so they look more like rivets

12-22-2019, 07:22 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,282	Re: rear fender brace rivots I've taken a file to the square part of the back side of carriage bolts before to round them off enough to slip in a round hole. It isn't a big deal when you only have a small number to do. There are some round head rivet looking bolts around that have a serrated edge on the back but I don't know if a guy can buy real small quantities anywhere. Or something like this https://www.althafastener.com/Rivet-Screw_c_610.html __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. Last edited by mr48chev; 12-22-2019 at 07:28 PM.

12-22-2019, 08:55 PM	#4
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,747	Re: rear fender brace rivots with the right kind of rivet you can cut the head off with no change to the holding capacity, it takes a dimensional type with very exact hole sizes, and the bucked rivet holds from the sides and not the head/base. aircraft use them, although they are aluminum for aluminum skin so you cant use them on steel (they would hold but would be impossible to bodywork) for that matter though, you could just weld it and bodywork it. no more work than a rivet to separate the pieces if you ever need to, and not as glaringly apparent as carriage bolts, no matter how small you get them __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

12-23-2019, 09:56 AM	#5
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: rear fender brace rivots I will never forget when I was rebuilding my truck in 1979 I was working at a full on restoration shop and trying to figure out what I was going to do with those rivets. We had an old gym style locker set up in the shop for tools. I was getting something out when I noticed the "rivets" were #10 machine screws! I pulled four out and replaced with regular #10's and used those bolts on my truck. They had a little ribbed area there under the head so they stuck into the hole and wouldn't rotate when you tightened them! And be sure you have no bondo there where they go! Metal finish it so there is little primer and paint too at that point. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

12-24-2019, 09:36 AM	#6
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	Re: rear fender brace rivots I used gym locker rivets, too! __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100

12-22-2019, 10:14 AM	#1
jackson Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: el campo texas Posts: 322	rear fender brace rivots its hard to do body work around the two little brace rivots. I was thinking I could remove them an use small carriage bolts. should have the same look. what do you guys think?

12-24-2019, 10:28 AM	#7
72Mountaineer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where Mountaineers are free Posts: 395	Re: rear fender brace rivots Take the rivets out, plug the holes, weld the brace to the fender. Rivets gone, nice smooth fender.

12-24-2019, 06:20 PM	#9
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: rear fender brace rivots Yep, DO NOT weld them up! If nothing else you will have "ghost" divets for SURE but cracking is also very real. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

12-24-2019, 06:21 PM	#10
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,001	Re: rear fender brace rivots The thing I have thought about is welding a tab on the inside of the fender then bending the bracket into it bolting it to the lip underneath so you can't see it. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

12-25-2019, 06:54 PM	#11
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,749	Re: rear fender brace rivots I never cared for the look of them so I just plug welded the hole and body worked it smooth..... Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857



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