The Ford Barn

Ed in Maine · 11-07-2021, 07:59 AM

Usually when I have had to mount a data plate on the firewall it is just after you have painted the firewall. Yesterday I mounted the data plate using a setting tool that is easy to make. I took a high nut that had a smooth crowned top much like an acorn nut but the hole went all the way through. I think those nuts that have a locking plastic insert could do the job. Pick a nut that will sit on top of the rivet but not go through. I used a No. 8, 2 in. machine screw and put the screw about 3/4 of the way through the nut so you have something to hold on to. Next I put the small rivet in a vice and lightly cleaned up the thread with a file and put some heavy grease on the rivet. Insert the rivet through the data plate and push it into the hole so it will stay in place. Now, using the setting tool you can hammer away on the rivet without the danger of it slipping off the rivet and damaging the paint. It was a perfect job. Ed

Russell Reay · 11-13-2021, 07:57 AM

This is good detail, but how do you back up the rivet head if there isn't a friend to help?

Ed in Maine · 11-13-2021, 01:43 PM

Russell, these are drive rivets, they have a spiral thread. Sometimes they work great, other times you really have to hit them. Ed

Russell Reay · 11-13-2021, 02:15 PM

I have a new data plate w/ rivets and can see the spiral threads. I assume--perhaps incorrectly-- that the rivets are to be driven in from the front, then peened over on the back. Absent a solid backer the rivet will be driven back out with the first whack. Is it possible that they are not intended to be peened over ?

john charlton · 11-13-2021, 03:53 PM

They just drive in they are not rivetted do not hit the backside or you will be DOOMED !!! . This is how I do it . Select a small socket say 3/8" on an extension Hold a heel dolly or similar weight on the extension end . Place the socket so that the rivet hole is in the socket end this is your bucking bar . Get your girlfriend to hold the socket extension backed by the heel dolly while you drive the twist rivet home . They normally take a fairly hefty bop to drive them in . As long as it drives in square dont stop bopping until the rivet is home . This works with the gas tank out . With the gas tank in just done an indented cowl P/U and used a heavy steel dolly on the inside held by an assistant no girlfriend available.

John in Suffolk County England .

Russell Reay · 11-18-2021, 07:43 AM

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Thanks for the pointer, John. However I will need to wait until my wife is out before I invite my girlfriend to help.

katy · 11-18-2021, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell Reay

I will need to wait until my wife is out before I invite my girlfriend to help.

Why's that?

11-07-2021, 07:59 AM	#1
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Mounting Data Plates Usually when I have had to mount a data plate on the firewall it is just after you have painted the firewall. Yesterday I mounted the data plate using a setting tool that is easy to make. I took a high nut that had a smooth crowned top much like an acorn nut but the hole went all the way through. I think those nuts that have a locking plastic insert could do the job. Pick a nut that will sit on top of the rivet but not go through. I used a No. 8, 2 in. machine screw and put the screw about 3/4 of the way through the nut so you have something to hold on to. Next I put the small rivet in a vice and lightly cleaned up the thread with a file and put some heavy grease on the rivet. Insert the rivet through the data plate and push it into the hole so it will stay in place. Now, using the setting tool you can hammer away on the rivet without the danger of it slipping off the rivet and damaging the paint. It was a perfect job. Ed

11-13-2021, 07:57 AM	#2
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 333	Re: Mounting Data Plates This is good detail, but how do you back up the rivet head if there isn't a friend to help?

11-13-2021, 01:43 PM	#3
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: Mounting Data Plates Russell, these are drive rivets, they have a spiral thread. Sometimes they work great, other times you really have to hit them. Ed

11-13-2021, 02:15 PM	#4
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 333	Re: Mounting Data Plates I have a new data plate w/ rivets and can see the spiral threads. I assume--perhaps incorrectly-- that the rivets are to be driven in from the front, then peened over on the back. Absent a solid backer the rivet will be driven back out with the first whack. Is it possible that they are not intended to be peened over ?

11-13-2021, 03:53 PM	#5
john charlton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,304	Re: Mounting Data Plates They just drive in they are not rivetted do not hit the backside or you will be DOOMED !!! . This is how I do it . Select a small socket say 3/8" on an extension Hold a heel dolly or similar weight on the extension end . Place the socket so that the rivet hole is in the socket end this is your bucking bar . Get your girlfriend to hold the socket extension backed by the heel dolly while you drive the twist rivet home . They normally take a fairly hefty bop to drive them in . As long as it drives in square dont stop bopping until the rivet is home . This works with the gas tank out . With the gas tank in just done an indented cowl P/U and used a heavy steel dolly on the inside held by an assistant no girlfriend available. John in Suffolk County England . Last edited by john charlton; 11-13-2021 at 05:36 PM.

11-18-2021, 07:43 AM	#6
Russell Reay Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: NH/ VT Posts: 333	Re: Mounting Data Plates Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the pointer, John. However I will need to wait until my wife is out before I invite my girlfriend to help.

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