1966 Deluxe Heater Control - rivet remove or leave alone?

[msg]

Im breaking down a Deluxe Heater Control and I was wondering if the rivets should be left alone or if I were to grind them off and get everything more detailed and cleaned up..is there a way to reconnect with screws or something? Anyone ever done this?

I saw the rebuild sticky in the FAQ but it doesnt go that far. Maybe I shouldnt?

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=653541

Here is where Im at now, all removed but the rivets

[msg]

Front condition

[Clyde65]

Unless I had a good spare, I wouldn’t but that’s me.

[VictoriaHardware]

I have done it. It is tedious but the only way to get everything apart and cleaned of 50 years of dirt and rust. I ground all 6 rivets off to get apart the steel bracket and the aluminum housing for the light.

It was never designed to be serviceable and the faceplate is made of zinc so it is very soft. I used a die grinder to remove the minimum material to get the steel bracket off. You then need to drill/tap for a screw to replace the rivet since there is no material left to peen over and re-attach everything. Using a milling machine, clean up the ends. Then drill and tap for a 4-40 screw. That is the largest screw that will fit. You need as much as possible with the soft zinc. Drill too far and you have a hole poking through the face, essentially ruining the part. I said it was tedious.

With all the parts re-finished, re-assemble by tightening the screws with a little loctite. Careful not to strip the threads in the soft zinc. I said it was tedious.

[msg]

Wow that turned out great! Is this the type screw you used?

[jhrusk]

I have done it as well. Tap holes where rivets go. However I did not find a source for a new acrylic lense. If anyone knows of one please post.

[rideblue00]

I also drilled and tapped mine

[Just-in-credible]

I know this is an old post, but I am about to attempt the same thing. The rivets on mine are broken. Did you use any special tap? and how deep did you go with this? Any additional help would be greatly appreciated.

[rideblue00]

Originally Posted by Just-in-credible

I know this is an old post, but I am about to attempt the same thing. The rivets on mine are broken. Did you use any special tap? and how deep did you go with this? Any additional help would be greatly appreciated.

My apologies as I cant remember the actual screw size, but either 6-32 or 8-32. Also cant remember depth, just be careful when drilling.

[Paul Y]

My 2p's worth.

I ground the rivet heats off, drilled them out and then tapped the holes for a set of cap head bolts I found.

I used metric tap and bolts - UK based - think they were a m4 but it was a long time back.

Not sure I that helps but it made painting the parts to match the dash an easy task.

P.