Heinze coil box loose mounting bracket help

[BobShirleyAtlantaTx]

Bought this coil box off the forum, got it yesterday. The guy said nothing about the mounting brackets being loose. My question; is there anyway to tighten the brackets?

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

I believe they are attached by screws. If the screws have pulled loose, remove the brackets and glue a coupe of toothpicks in the holes to build up the bite for the screws. It should tighten up and hold fine. It’s a common issue that can be easily fixed.

[R.V.Anderson]

The 1911 Heinze boxes had brackets attached by three flat head wood screws, #7 x 5/8". By early 1912 this was changed to what was essentially the same bracket but held by two steel rivets per side. If you can properly buck the rivets inside the box, you can easily re-peen the rivets, but the loosening may be due to issues with the wood deteriorating around the rivet heads. Probably the easiest fix would be to remove the brackets by drilling out the rivets, then drill and countersink the brackets for the three screws. The repair would be secure and completely invisible once the box is mounted on the firewall.

[BobShirleyAtlantaTx]

On this box they look to be welded, how that was done without burning the wood must have been a trade secret.

[R.V.Anderson]

They aren't welded; the ends of the rivet shanks are "spun" over.

[BobShirleyAtlantaTx]

Is it possible to tighten the rivets? Or what is the best fix? Thanks for all the info. Bob @ 903-824-194nine.

[R.V.Anderson]

Please see my first post in this thread.