Side Sill Screws - alternatives?

[Bonkers]

I noticed in the how-to section there is a rivet option to fixing those tiny screws holding the side sills on - has anyone come up with another solution? I hate to put those screws back in, but I need to have quick access to the exhaust and don't want to mess around with cutting rivets...

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Bonks...there is NO CUTTING rivets. The instructions are for the install of rivet-NUTS.

 

[CANTDRIVE55]

Has anyone thought of, or tried, Dzus fasteners? If the is sufficient access above and clearance for the recepticle below, this would look and function nicely.

Just a thought....

 

[Janni]

Riv-nuts rock. We're put in a TON on the race car. Just make sure you 1) get the steel ones and not the aluminum ones and 2) that they are knurled for maximum grip. Drill the holes TIGHT, and you'll have a good solid fastener system.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Janni,

Where do you get these steel rivets? I need to do mine...What have you done for the floor pan side?

I think the problem with the above fastners Dzus fasteners, the hole for the screw is too close to the edge and the Dzus fasteners maybe too big to fit.

 

[Randy]

Riv-nuts rock. We're put in a TON on the race car. Just make sure you 1) get the steel ones and not the aluminum ones and 2) that they are knurled for maximum grip. Drill the holes TIGHT, and you'll have a good solid fastener system.

I thought that part of the problem, at least with the Gen I cars, was that the fasteners (rivets?) were steel, and the sills are aluminum. Something about corrosion caused by dis-similar metals and electrolysis. I know that I got my old gen I's side sills replaced under warranty partly for corrosion.

So, wouldn't you want to use aluminum fasteners, despite the strength difference?

 

[95Viper]

Bonkers, If you haven't taken your sills off yet, your screw holes aren't stripped. They get that way because they can only handle a tiny bit of pressure and everyone who re-installs them strips them. I'm not kidding, I don't think they can handle 1 pound of pressure. Here's what you should do.
1. Ensure you have the grey screws, they are coated unlike the original black ones. Buy new it not. 2. Remove sills. 3. Flatten holes with various tools, whatever works. 4. Test fit a screw back in with sill off and get an idea on how little pressure it takes before hole begins to pull as you'll be able to see it. 5. Touch up holes with POR15 and Qtip 6. Reinstall sills and use high temp low strength threadlock on screws so they won't back out.
works like a charm