By all means if you want to replace a rivet with a rivet do so and do it right, this thread is full of good advice so far. On the other hand if you don't care about rivets and or don't have the equipment or skill to use them then try some bolts.
I completely understand the desire to be original where you can, don't turn this thread into what's worth doing and what's not, its about riveting if you want to.
On my 48 I replaced about a dozen 3/8" rivets that were missing, broken, necessary to remove to repair something, or badly done originally. I have also replaced a good number of rivets on a 1928 Hudson car frame, the level of restoration it received demanded everything be done right, so rivets went back where rivets were.
On removing them any number of methods described work. I'd like to point out that a big cold chisel and a bigger hammer, at least in my hands, can remove a 3/8" and smaller rivet quicker than any other method I've tried and also do it without knicking or damaging the frame in any way.
On how to actually do the hot riveting the online videos really are a great way to learn about it. Its hard to spell it out in words, better to just watch it being done.
Next time I have to do some hot rivets I'll be sure to take some videos for Y'all.
Grigg
