Firewall welting installation problem

[22centerdoor]

I'm trying to install the welting that goes on the firewall. I have a metal firewall and I'm supposed to use small brass rivets to secure it. I'm having trouble getting the rivets to fit tightly. Is there a trick to this? Thanks.

[Mark Gregush]

I am so BAD! I used aluminum pop rivets.

[Jeepbone1]

I bought the rivet “pliers” from langs. There pretty awesome once you get over the small learning curve. They can be used for cowl lacing and transmission linings. I got the cowl lacing done and the rivets were tight enough by hand but with the transmission band linings I supported the tool on my vise and gave it a good whack of a hammer.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/3422RST.aspx

[Original Smith]

Are you referring to the piece of felt at the top of the firewall, or the hood lacing? These are two different things! For the felt, do not punch a hole, or the rivet will just fall through. For the hood lacing, use a scratch awl to locate the hole. Next, you may purchase the split rivets from Langs. If the firewall is off the car, it's much easier to do, but requires two people. I've heard there is special pliers made for this purpose, but haven't seen them.

[22centerdoor]

Thanks for all your ideas. Since this is a one-time installation, I opted out of paying $20+ for the pliers Langs sells. Mark, I followed you and used a pneumatic pop rivet gun to secure the welting - easy to install and nice and snug!!!

Thanks again...

[George N Lake Ozark]

I used poprivits. I d on't know what they were made out of but sure didn't seem to be aluminum. Put them in a vise and used a hack saw to remove part of the flange to look mote like correct split rivets and filed to smooth out to the cylinder portion of the rivet. Used an old icepick to tease the webbing open a little so the web wouldn't fray and insert my modified rivets. Turned out nice. Had pics but can't find them.