Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

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Jan 31, 2003 | 11:14 AM

aerocolorado

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Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

Aerostars use an odd rectangular nylon rivet to secure the cowl vent grille to the body. The cowl is removed during servicing or replacement of the wiper motor. The design of the underlying sheet metal contains many blind openings. The size of the opening precludes use of screws as any shank large enough to be secure in the hole has a head far too large to fit the channel of the cowl. Common used round, plastic or metal rivets have the same problem.

Finding replacement rivets is difficult. The local Ford dealer parts counter states they are no longer available (from Ford). Here is a link to a great site for all kinds of those specialty fasteners found in cars today.

After corresponding with the owner, he has thoughtfully included a separate listing just for the Aerostar style rivet. www.ardeldistributors.com/catalog.html Scroll down to RIVETS, click on it and look for the Aerostar listing.

Feb 1, 2003 | 06:20 PM

rebocardo

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From: Atlanta GA

Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

Good URL. I have a hard time finding good on-line dealers for these type things.

Feb 25, 2003 | 10:35 PM

David26

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From: Woodstock, Ontario

Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

Is there any way to save those rivets when taking the cowl off, or are they simply a one shot deal? If so, I think if you were to buy those black plastic trees that hold the interior panels on and snip the top to a rectangle it might work. Plus, they'll be reusable if you ever have to get inside the cowl again.

Feb 26, 2003 | 09:53 AM

aerocolorado

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Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

I just got around to replacing those rivets. No, you cannot save them, they are just a nylon version of the standard alumimun/steel pop-rivets, a one use item. The plastic/nylon panel retainers would be too large to fit through the hole and too short to reach the underlying sheet metal. The correct rivet has a shank lengh of around 1 to 1.25 inches in length. Most panel retainers are only 0.75 inch at best.

BTW, it requires 10 rivets to replace the cowl panel.

Mar 2, 2003 | 04:17 PM

CdnSoldier

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From: CFB Petawawa Canada

Cowl Vent Grille Retaining Rivets

I used spring clip nuts and black screws, they are a lot cheaper and can be removed to clean out the cowl.

Nov 28, 2008 | 11:56 AM

Jose A.

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2003

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From: Florida

cowl rivets

Quote:

Originally Posted by CdnSoldier

I used spring clip nuts and black screws, they are a lot cheaper and can be removed to clean out the cowl.

exactly what I am trying to do, clean out the cowl from leaves and grime....

the URL posted above does not work, I might have to use spring clips and black screws to reinstall.

Jose

Nov 28, 2008 | 01:14 PM

JTHill24

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From: Orland USA

They where all broken but 3 on the 89 aero I have. I tool the grille/cowl off and put in some of the plastic anchors (push in) that you use in sheet rock. Then I put the grille/cowl back on and used some Stainless steel screws & Washers that I sprayed painted black.

It holds it on and I can remove it again without breaking and having to buy more of those plastic rivits.

JaY