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| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 242 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 242 | I have a 1942 truck that the battery box needs replacement it is held on by rivets to the frame. Will need to grind off the old rivets to remove the battery box but how do i keep the same original look to install the new battery box? I don't want to use bolts. My first thought was to buy large rivets have a hole drilled in the end of the stem and the other rivet have the stem cut down for a press fit with the other rivet that has the hole in it. If someone knows of a better way of doing it I would sure like to hear about it. Thanks for your time. 1-262-392-2989 or [email protected]Marv. | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,001 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,001 | I've actually replaced a few rivets on my frame, and was planning on using rivets to install replacement running board brackets, etc. But I decided to go with bolts instead.
The way to do rivets is buy the proper size (Hanson Rivet is a good source or search on fleabay). What you want is solid steel rivets. To install them, heat them cherry red, back up the head with a large block of steel, and peen over the opposite end. I used an air hammer with a bit that had a hemispherical depression in the end. It's usually a 2 or 3 man operation, go so gather up some friends. One to handle the torch, the other to buck the head of the rivet and the other with the air hammer. When installed hot, and you get them peened over correctly so everything is tight and the shank expands to fill the holes, they shrink as they cool to tighten up even more.
I don't think your rivet in a rivet idea would be nearly as secure. You don't want your battery falling out going down the road.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 431 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 431 | I don't necessarily know how to replicate the original look, but, I really can't stand those original stovebolt screws/bolts! I just pulled another one out of my frame yesterday, and replaced it with a machine screw. I totally get the antique aspect of retaining the original look/design, but I don't have a fulltime mechanic working on mine- I need to be able to fix it myself!
Best of luck in finding your desired path forward.
Regards,
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