Reproducing the Intermediate Exhaust Hanger Rivets

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 9:46 pm

I have started to dismantle my exhaust system for replacement. I have ordered new hangers, which I haven't gotten yet, but in the mean time I have investigated the issue of replacing the screws and nuts on the reproductions with rivets based on Jim Wulf's comment here: http://www.tbirdgarage.com/Site_2/63_M_ ... ts.html#14

Here is the hanger showing the heads:

and the other side showing the rolled over tubular rivets:

I was able to find similar tubular rivets and the correct tool to install them. Here are the results. This is the detail of the rolled rivet:

and the rivet head, which is the same diameter; 1/2":

These are the old and new rivets:

I will post more pictures and details when I get my reproduction hangers and add them to my website.

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 2:07 pm

Here are some pictures of the completed reproduction hangers with the rolled semi-tubular rivets.

I have more pictures and details at http://www.southsandia.com/forum/website/rivets.html

Ian M Greer · Post by **Ian M Greer** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:09 am

Tom really nice work .Ian

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:20 am

Tom
What is the part number for the rivet or the length?
Did you consider zinc plating the parts of the hanger before assembly?

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:03 pm

Tom
What is the part number for the rivet or the length?
Did you consider zinc plating the parts of the hanger before assembly?

Jim,
The details are on my website but they are 1/4 x 3/4 x 1/2 truss head. Go to this link http://www.rivetsonline.com/steel-plate ... s-1-4.html and select the parameters above from the drop down boxes. It will show you the part number which I wasn't able to copy and paste.

Yes, I might take the rivets out and zinc plate the parts. The rivets are very mild steel as you can imagine to be able to roll them without splitting them. As you can see the hangers are already rusting. They would be easy to plate.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:26 pm

Thanks Tom
Did not see the length given, my original brackets showed signs of zinc or cad plate on them.

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:06 pm

Jim,
You should see 3/4" as one of the lengths in the drop down box. Choose that and then the head sizes come up as 7/16 and 1/2. The only head style is truss (I don't know what that means) but the originals may have been oval as the are ever so slightly rounder in appearance.

So you think they may have been zinc and chromate? Mine are so far gone I couldn't tell what they were. I may just do that but I am excited to get my new exhaust on. I don't like that rust though. But if you saw the underside of my car, it doesn't really matter.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:20 pm

Tom
Silver Zinc or Cad is what I found on mine there was not much left other than
under the bolt heads, I have Blue Chromate solution to dip them after Zinc which adds a resistance to white rust.

The rivet supply house wants 14.75 to ship to MN. seems a little high for US shipping but the rivet price is good.

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:14 pm

Jim,
Aren't you in Canada? If you want some rivets I can send some to you. I have 91 of them left! You need that tool though. That's the killer. Would you like me to install your rivets? We can work something out with the postage if you are in Minnesota.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:10 pm

Thanks Tom
I already have the rivet setters and ordered my rivets locally today a bit more money still have to order a box, yes I live in Canada but have a shipping address in Minnesota as shipping to Canada is expensive will be going down to the US next week.

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:26 pm

Tom
Silver Zinc or Cad is what I found on mine there was not much left other than
under the bolt heads, I have Blue Chromate solution to dip them after Zinc which adds a resistance to white rust.

Here you go Jim. I took the hangers off and zinc plated/chromated the bare steel, except the rivets. It looks better than the photo. It has a nice rainbow look and looks much better than the bare steel.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:29 pm

Those look great Tom, I have not got around to mine yet but will be using a Silver Zinc finish as original but the Gold Chromate really looks great.

ABQTBird · Post by **ABQTBird** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:18 pm

Silver Zinc finish as original

What does silver zinc finish look like, Jim? Is it just natural color? I'll leave mine chromated since my car will never be judged. At least I got the rust off of them.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:29 pm

Hi Tom
Yes it is just natural, Silver Zinc is what you have before Gold Chromate is applied. The Gold finish looks much better and is more durable but have to follow original finishes.