engine perch swap - how to remove rivets
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,062
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From: Ford, WA
engine perch swap - how to remove rivets
What is the best way to get rid of the engine perch rivets? Pulling the 3.8 perches and installing 302/351W perches. Only things i can think of are grinding them off or heating the crud out of them and using a cold chisel on them...
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
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From: South central, Minnesota
On the rivots you can actually get to I use a drill. I start with a smaller drill bit and drill a hole that's just deep enough to be past the frame. Then I use a drill bit just a little smaller then the size of the rivot head. Drill into the pilot hole and the rivot head will pop off.
That's just the way I prefer to do it. But it is slower then a good air chisel.
That's just the way I prefer to do it. But it is slower then a good air chisel.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,017
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From: Virginia
I agree with a couple of the other posters, use a drill first. I removed almost every rivet on the rear of my 1980 frame to swap crossmembers and spring hangers, and I found a drill bit close to the size of the frame hole was the quickest way to remove lot's of metal in a short time. I drilled the center of the rivet head till the bit got near the frame, and then took a chisel and hammer and knocked the head off after that. Use a center punch to punch the head to help get you started in the center of the rivet.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 105
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From: Effort, PA
Grinder with a cutting wheel or an air powered cutting wheel, you can cut all the way through or cut most of the way and use a pry bar or flat edged (metal) chisel and a hammer to pop the head off.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
I agree with a couple of the other posters, use a drill first. I removed almost every rivet on the rear of my 1980 frame to swap crossmembers and spring hangers, and I found a drill bit close to the size of the frame hole was the quickest way to remove lot's of metal in a short time. I drilled the center of the rivet head till the bit got near the frame, and then took a chisel and hammer and knocked the head off after that. Use a center punch to punch the head to help get you started in the center of the rivet.
I removed every rivot from the front cab mounts back on my 84 F250 extended cab 4x4 chassis using the method I described. I believe there were 62 total. This summer I will be removing all of them from the from cab mounts forward.
I found drilling the pilot hole let the bigger bit cut faster. But I'm not dealing with real good quality drill bits. Just some cheap ones and a drill doctor bit sharpener.
I think I've just about worn out my 1/2" drill.I can say one thing I hate removing rivots!!
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