Not rivets

[Christopher]

Has anybody used some sort of bolts or machine screws instead of rivets when assembling the panels? Just thinking May be something different and also come in handy if ever need to remove the panels for some reason.

[P100DHG]

I made large sections of my Coupe trunk removable and under hood panels I custom made. It’s handy for the areas you need to get to maintain the car but the rivets and sealant (whatever you use) make an incredibly strong bond. You can’t beat the KISS method.

[AC Bill]

Rivets stay tight. They are pretty easy to drill out if required. I used rivets for all the aluminum panels, except for the tranny tunnel cover, and the drivers foot-box top panel.

[edwardb]

The fastening system for the aluminum panels is rivets and adhesive. Not just rivets. Most use silicone per the manual. But there are alternatives some use. But bottom line even with removable bolts, assuming you also use adhesive, the panels don't remove easily. I would highly recommend staying with the mechanical plus adhesive fastening. Rivets are easy to drill out as stated. Two other points: First, there are several access panels (DS footbox, fuel pump/fuel sender, transmission tunnel cover for some) where adhesive isn't used and can be held with the fastener of your choice. Second, a high percentage of the panels wouldn't be removable even if they weren't glued or riveted. Blocked by the body, engine, other panels, etc. Not to mention there would be little to gain for them to be removable.

[mikeinatlanta]

Attached is a photo of my rear under tray/diffuser. You can see a combination of solid rivets and nut plates with 10-32 machine screws. All empty holes on the part accommodate the same 10-32 machine screws and nut plates on the car. 2nd pic is the part temp installed with clecos prior to installing the nut plates and screws. Fourth pic is an electrinics access panel attached with dzus.
154101154102154103154104

[WIS89]

Attached is a photo of my rear under tray/diffuser. You can see a combination of solid rivets and nut plates with 10-32 machine screws. All empty holes on the part accommodate the same 10-32 machine screws and nut plates on the car. 2nd pic is the part temp installed with clecos prior to installing the nut plates and screws. Fourth pic is an electrinics access panel attached with dzus.
154101154102154103154104

Holy smokes, Mike! I haven't seen you post in a while. How are you? How's the speed machine coming?

Hope you are well, and the beast is coming along nicely!

Regards,

Steve

P.S. Sorry to the OP for the slight hijack!

[j.miller]

Holy smokes, Mike! I haven't seen you post in a while. How are you? How's the speed machine coming?

Hope you are well, and the beast is coming along nicely!

Regards,

Steve

P.S. Sorry to the OP for the slight hijack!

Saw this and was thinking the same thing....WASUP MIKE !!!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Saw this and was thinking the same thing....WASUP MIKE !!!

X3 :cool:

Jeff

[magicmarto]

That diffuser is bad ***!!! nice work
I like that the whole underside is skinned too.
M

[toadster]

use rivnuts for removable panels, I used some for fuel sender access port in the trunk

https://cobradreams.com/2021/09/24/cockpit-and-rollbar-fitment-done/

Rivnut Tool https://amzn.to/3ozZ9ZL (https://amzn.to/3ozZ9ZL)

get a couple of rivnut variety packs, and matching machine screws... I can't tell you how many times I have installed rivnuts and realized my screw selection wasn't up to par LOL