Best way to remove stock frame rivets? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dznucks · 07-13-2009, 09:16 AM

I am about to bag my '69 and i am trying to get myself ready for the install. Looking ahead to the install i am not looking forward to removing the stock frame rivets to install a CPP c-notch and CPP crop center crossmember.

This is my daily driver so I have to work fast and make sure everything goes smoothly since each phase of the install will be limited to weekends. In the past, the best way I have found to removed rivets is with a torch. But I do not have access to a torch now.

So i am wondering what other ways are there other than drilling and grinding? Would an air chisel do any good?

thanks

smashingchuck · 07-13-2009, 10:27 AM

I have found that drilling them is the fastest way for me. Use a center punch to get started, I usually start with a 3/16" drill then go with the 3/8". Also use lots of tap magic.

**N2TRUX** · 07-13-2009, 10:37 AM

Look here for many popular answers- LINK

hAetWagon · 07-13-2009, 12:26 PM

There's really only so many ways to remove metal my friend. Heat,grind or cut.
I've found grinding to be fastest.

joe231 · 07-13-2009, 12:29 PM

a good long stroke air chisel does wonders...

*Shane* · 07-13-2009, 12:39 PM

grind an "X" across the face of the rivet with a cut-off tool and then grab a cold chisel and a BFH.

dznucks · 07-13-2009, 01:09 PM

ok. thanks. i am probably going to try the drilling and grinding. i might get a good punch.

AirMale · 07-13-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

grind an "X" across the face of the rivet with a cut-off tool and then grab a cold chisel and a BFH.

works every time!

Naterman35 · 07-26-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe231

a good long stroke air chisel does wonders...

Had my bump stops/ carrier bearing mount/ and exhaust hanger out in seconds.

Longstep70 · 07-27-2009, 01:00 AM

I did the X across the head with my cutoff wheel then used the air chisel. Works like a charm.

-A

**N2TRUX** · 07-27-2009, 08:57 AM

There is no "perfect" answer to this question. Even with a high dollar Snap-On air chisel, some of them just don't want to come out. You might need an assortment of tools to do the job.

We discovered that this weekend as my buddy Keith and I did a C-notch on his 67 project "Hazel".

ksbrktracer · 07-28-2009, 07:14 PM

Cut an X across the head with cut off wheel, flat chisel blade in an air hammer to knock the head pieces off , and a punch in the air hammer to drive it thru , Ran into 2 or 3 out of twenty that were swedged in pretty tight, and one that I finally had to drill part way thru. Took about 1-1/2 hours and I removed right at 20 rivets.........Worked for me !

07-13-2009, 09:16 AM	#1
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Best way to remove stock frame rivets? I am about to bag my '69 and i am trying to get myself ready for the install. Looking ahead to the install i am not looking forward to removing the stock frame rivets to install a CPP c-notch and CPP crop center crossmember. This is my daily driver so I have to work fast and make sure everything goes smoothly since each phase of the install will be limited to weekends. In the past, the best way I have found to removed rivets is with a torch. But I do not have access to a torch now. So i am wondering what other ways are there other than drilling and grinding? Would an air chisel do any good? thanks

07-13-2009, 10:27 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? I have found that drilling them is the fastest way for me. Use a center punch to get started, I usually start with a 3/16" drill then go with the 3/8". Also use lots of tap magic. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

07-13-2009, 10:37 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? Look here for many popular answers- LINK __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-13-2009, 12:26 PM	#4
hAetWagon Schlongbed MEMBER (heh)#15 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 232	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? There's really only so many ways to remove metal my friend. Heat,grind or cut. I've found grinding to be fastest. __________________ 82 Chevy Blazer 4wd.RIP 1965 Chevy C10,350V8 Get it reliable,then puttin' it in the weeds.. "Old truck, all new headaches."

07-13-2009, 12:29 PM	#5
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? a good long stroke air chisel does wonders... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-13-2009, 12:39 PM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? grind an "X" across the face of the rivet with a cut-off tool and then grab a cold chisel and a BFH.

07-13-2009, 01:09 PM	#7
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? ok. thanks. i am probably going to try the drilling and grinding. i might get a good punch.

07-27-2009, 01:00 AM	#10
Longstep70 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Jose , Ca Posts: 235	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? I did the X across the head with my cutoff wheel then used the air chisel. Works like a charm. -A

07-27-2009, 08:57 AM	#11
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? There is no "perfect" answer to this question. Even with a high dollar Snap-On air chisel, some of them just don't want to come out. You might need an assortment of tools to do the job. We discovered that this weekend as my buddy Keith and I did a C-notch on his 67 project "Hazel". Attached Images __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-28-2009, 07:14 PM	#12
ksbrktracer TNT-MOTORSPORTS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TULSA OKLAHOMA Posts: 2,692	Re: Best way to remove stock frame rivets? Cut an X across the head with cut off wheel, flat chisel blade in an air hammer to knock the head pieces off , and a punch in the air hammer to drive it thru , Ran into 2 or 3 out of twenty that were swedged in pretty tight, and one that I finally had to drill part way thru. Took about 1-1/2 hours and I removed right at 20 rivets.........Worked for me !



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