MTFCA Forum

I'm looking for information on what type and size of rivets were used to attach the body sheet metal. Is there a list or document that lists the types and sizes of rivets used on the model T by year ? I'm currently working on a 1920 touring car. I'm in the process of replacing some of the sheet metal because of rust. I wold like to replace the rivets with the correct ones. Any help would be appreciated !!
Thanks for your help
SteveW

The only place I can think of that would have been riveted was the seat frame sub assembly. The body sheet metal would have been spot welded together. What part of the body are you working on?

There is only one exposed round headed rivet or carriage bolt head that I can think of and it’s the one on the black low cowl era touring cars. It’s right behind the lower front seat area on the outside of the touring body.
Here is an earlier post about the exposed rivet of bolt. It’s only one. viewtopic.php?t=14170

Like Mark said the T touring bodies were spot welded together and I don’t think the metal panels have any rivets other than the one I mentioned.

The above earlier post has a picture of it.

Can you send a pic of the body panel you’re talking about. That may help.

my '23 low cowl runabout had the steel former that joined the cowl to the side panels. On each side, it had two rivets at the lower front of the cowl, diagonally across from each other where the carriage bolt came out to hold the firewall, and one rivet on the side that held a tab sticking down from the cowl. I do not remember their sizes.

Nice photos of your 23 Runabout. Interesting point about the two rivets you mentioned. I wonder if the low cowl 23 Tourings had the same two rivets you mentioned. Seems like it would since the front portion of a Touring would be the same in structure and etc? Or really close to it?

Quick search of the 1927 body parts book looks to be same part number 1922 to 1924 at least, so guess it would be the same. How ever, the 1920 touring body, that part would still have been wood not steel.

Mark, I agree with your statement re: parts books

I added the information on the outside chance that "1920" could very well be an error between the title and the actual body and the OP is perhaps working with something other than what he believes he is working on.

More information on the location of said rivets or at least pix would be helpful but thus far not forthcoming

Sorry I should have included photos, correct these are on the seat frames.
Thanks for all the help !!!
SteveW

Hard to tell but it appears like a couple different size rivets?

to your question: rivet sizes are by the diameter through the hole (grind the head or riveted side off and you'll have the "size" staring you in the face.

once you have the size, you usually are left with but one choice for the head

the real question is: how long should the rivet be? And the answer to that is the rivet length should be long enough to go through all parts to be joined and then stick out 1 1/2 times the rivet's diameter (in order to form a correct head)

Big Flats Rivet Company is wonderful to work with...they have your rivet(s) you need plus the rivet sets for the formed head you want. I just looked and the website is defunct so I sure hope he is still in business. Let us know.

Jim Dix (607) 562-350

Now, my question: Are you certain that you have to or want to remove those rivets??

Steve I have a 21 Touring I restored. The seat framework in riveted together as shown in your last photos just as mine is in my car. The body panels themselves aren’t attached to any seat frame rivets that I know of in my car. Maybe different body makers or later low cowl cars had them attached to the sheet metal panels but mine didn’t.

As far as disassembly you don’t need to dissemble the seat frame work if the rivets and metal framework are still stable and in good shape.

I hand sanded and primed and painted the seat frames and that was it.

Thanks everyone for the information and help. The only rivets that I need to replace are on rusted out sheet metal on the seat frames. I did have to remove the rivets that hold the back sheet metal onto the seat frame supports. I had to do that to get access to the back of the rear seat frame where rivets are that I will need to remove. The rot on the rear seat frame is the seat pan that is on the bottom of the rear seat frame. Mostly rusted out and needs to be replaced. On the front seat frame the toe kick needs to be replaced. Again more rivets. As far as I can tell that's the only rivets in the body sheet metal on my 1920 touring car.
Thanks again for all the help !!
SteveW

Looks like Big Fat Rivet Company is no longer in business. The link take you to the following rivet company
https://prairierivet.com/contact/?gclid ... gIsz_D_BwE
Thanks to everyone for the help !!!
Regards
Steve

Sorry that should have been Big Flats Rivet Company ....
Regards
Steve