Topic: Exhaust Hangers

[Stangly]

I'm hoping to re-use my original exhaust hangers but the rubber is in bad shape.  Does anybody know where I could find the rivets that were used to attach the rubber to the metal brackets.

[CharlesTurner]

They are semi-tubular rivets.  Hanson might have some, but doubt they would be exact.

http://www.hansonrivet.com/

[Stangly]

Thanks Charles I will check there, do most guys try to find new old stock hangers.  The metal brackets are in great shape but the rubber on the part that holds the tail pipe up is in bad shape.

David,

[CharlesTurner]

I think most would use reproduction brackets, but for the most authentic results, what you're doing is on-track.  Not sure you would have much luck finding NOS, which may end up being a little different than your originals.

[specialed]

Ford used old used sidewalls off of used tires to cut rubber from & some are dryroted & cracked & may be white sidewalls. I have NOS hangers with cracked rubbers used to assemble them.

[jwc66k]

Here's another source for rivets http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivets/semitubular-rivets.html
By my crude measurements (I'm not going to take my "restored" dual exhaust muffler bracket apart to measure the rivet):
Head - 5/8 in dia, 3/32 in thk, truss
Body - 5/16 in (0.312in) dia, 5/8 in grip PLUS 1/8 in roll
The problem is not going to be finding rivets, it's the tool to assemble them. Based on what I paid for my much smaller tool (that I use for ashtrays and grills), plus top and bottom dies, a $500 price tag would not be too far off.
I pulled a reproduction and an original dual exhaust muffler bracket from my pile of stuff to do the measurements and noticed one major difference in construction. The rubber insulator part on the "still in the bag" reproduction (a very good piece of BF Goodrich I may add) was at least 1 1/8 inch tighter than the original (one that uses a white sidewall), eg. the muffler would be 1 1/8 inch closer to the undercarriage. Outside of that, the metal dimensions, construction and component pieces are the same. It may "stretch" down after installation.
Jim

[Stangly]

Jim,

Thanks for all the great info.  I was able to get the old rivets bust loose and replace the rubber.  I was able to use the old rivet and with a vice and the punch tool peen the rivet.  It looks shaggy due to the disassemble but the integrity appears pretty good.  You can't see the shaggy part but I know it's there.  And yes it was a bugger getting it apart with tools in a home garage.

Thank you again everybody for the help.