Rocker Rivets Options

[sixerdon]

so now im confused, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
the black plastic rifvits are for the threshold plates only ?
and standard alum pop rivets were OE to secure the the tops
of the rockers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
I can only recall ever seeing the Alum rivits but just assumed that
they had been replaced at suome time.
Jeff what about on the LE's?

Rich,
Black plastic rivets for black threshold plates only. (If that's what your car has)
We are trying to determine when plastic rivets were changed to aluminmum "pop" rivets on the rocker panels. Maybe an unmolested '74 LE could provide an answer.
Don

[TJB/914]

This is getting very interesting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Today I picked up the rivets ordered from the Porsche dealer. I expected them to be black, but they are clear. Now what?? How do we judge rivets now that Porsche only supply's clear????

Tom
BTW: We are becoming the new 356 crowd.

[JeffBowlsby]

Here are my 100% original 74 Bumblebee rivets, the day I picked it up. Black plastic on the threshold plate, aluminum for the side valence. I bought it from the son of the original owner, he confirmed that the side valences had never been removed until I removed them to inspect the car before purchase. The car was from dry SoCal and the longs are pristine...whew...!

[tod914]

I went through this 3 years ago. I was told by a Porsche Parts personnel that black is NLA and was superceeded by clear. I was surprised to hear that there "were" black in stock @ .80 per. It was suggested to me that dying the clear ones might be an option. I'll see how they turn out with a permanent ink marker if the vendors fail to come up with a match.

[Pat Garvey]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)
Well now, ain't this a fine kettle of fish? (my grandmother's saying, not mine - but suits the meaning). We now have a plethora of potential rivets!

By my recollection, so far:
a) white plastic
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) black plastic
c) opaque plastic
d) clear plastic
e) natural aluminum
f) black aluminum

I wish my parts manual went beyond 73. Anyone have a more usable revision level? Might help if someone had a revision through the end of production.

I think we can safely assume that these parts, for the thresholds and "side valences" (I like that term) were plastic through at least 73, maybe into 74. Then came the dawn of aluminum, which makes better sense for the "side valences" only - valences remained plastic, though black. I've noticed the aluminum rivets on some 75/6 cars at concours events but (not knowing they were supposed to be aluminum) never deducted for them because they were on topside-only cars & the competition wasn't that heavy that that level of scrutiny was necessary - glad I didn't!

What we need badly is to know just when the transition from plastic to metal took place.

From a hardcore standpoint, does it really matter what color the plastic is, so long as it's a Porsche replacement part? If I were to put the clear rivets on my 72 (assuming I changed ALL of them to clear), should I be gigged? They are an authorized replacement part, and surely a better part by virtue of their more recent manufacture. Sure, I'd rather stay with white, but unless someone has a stockpile of them & wants to let some go, I have no choice. True, I could leave my "side valences" alone for now, but sooner or later they'll need to come off for cleaning.

That said, Nomex on - let the flames begin!

[sixerdon]

I went through this 3 years ago. I was told by a Porsche Parts personnel that black is NLA and was superceeded by clear. I was surprised to hear that there "were" black in stock @ .80 per. It was suggested to me that dying the clear ones might be an option. I'll see how they turn out with a permanent ink marker if the vendors fail to come up with a match.

I'm with Tod. That was my experience 8 years ago doing my resto. After install, The rivets look like white anyway.

Jeff has the best info on an original LE for '74 even if my '74 parts manual says "plastic rivets" on the rocker panels.

And I agree with you Pat that I wouldn't gig any car with the latest Porsche replacement part.

I'm satisfied with the findings. Confirms my suspicions for many years. The '74 was the change over year.

Don

[tod914]

Should have some samples in white and black by next week.

[McMark]

McMaster car lists "off-white" plastic rivets. Inch sizes only, but might be worth a shot to order a few. They also list a tool to install them, but no picture of it.

[JeffBowlsby]

Here are two rivets I found that might be good matches:

http://www.kent-automotive.com/webapp/wcs/...catalogId=10001

[JeffBowlsby]

And how about these from Skiffy...

http://www.skiffy.com/docs/menufr.cfm?ID=x...2.cfm&img_id=12

[JeffBowlsby]

And these:

http://www.plasticsfasteners.com/PolyDriveRivets.html

[JeffBowlsby]

These available in Black...

http://www.efc-panelfasteners.com/products...sp?63,219,03706

[Pat Garvey]

These available in Black...

http://www.efc-panelfasteners.com/products...sp?63,219,03706

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

Boy, you did your homework!

I see LOTS of possibilities with ALL the info provided. Wish we had dimensional info for some of them, but the last on (efc) seems to be the best & has the best info. Did you by any chance request samples?

I don't know how important this is, but the number of prongs should be 4. However, there's no judge in the world that could tell if the number of prongs was wrong, nor would he probably care.

Cool stuff - think I'll try to order from EFC.

[tod914]

I doubt you'll find a prong match. The problem I have found with most of the manufacturers,are the heads are the wrong circumferance or too flat. Jeff, could you send in a sample for them to match to?

[JeffBowlsby]

Tom sent me a sample and I need to measure it and I will probably order samples next week.

[tod914]

Jeff that kt12317 looks like a perfect match.. it's just a matter of sizing. Im still waiting on my samples to show up. I'll post all the info once I get them and see how well they match.

[JeffBowlsby]

Cool Tod. I ordered some samples from EFS in black and natural (nylon). Fingers crossed. They have a $100 minimum order though....

[tod914]

Ok guys I got a perfect match for the black. The white ones she sent are semi translucent white (midway between the Porsche clear and Porsche nla white ones ). So, I asked her to see if they have pure white or whats involved in a production run of pure white (costs & quanity). I'm waiting on pricing from her. Maybe a bulk buy would be a better rate for us, and I can compile 1 order and then mail them out. Let's see what she says. I will call her tomorrow.

[sixerdon]

That's great Tod! If you are successful in getting a bulk buy, count me in to purchase enough white ones for 3 cars. I'll keep watching this thread.

Don

[Pat Garvey]

Ok guys I got a perfect match for the black. The white ones she sent are semi translucent white (midway between the Porsche clear and Porsche nla white ones ). So, I asked her to see if they have pure white or whats involved in a production run of pure white (costs & quanity). I'm waiting on pricing from her. Maybe a bulk buy would be a better rate for us, and I can compile 1 order and then mail them out. Let's see what she says. I will call her tomorrow.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif)
Tod,

I'm in for a hundred black, though I'd prefer white. At least the black can't be blinked at.

Yeah, I mean a hundred - don't ever want to have to fool with this again. But I'll still wait to see about the white ones. Lemmee know.
Pat