Topic: 1970 AC vent dissassembly/reassembly question for restoration

[HDAshmore]

Good Afternoon All,

Question on disassembly of AC vents for 70 Mach 1.  I am prepping things for Vacuum Ornametal and do not know how to take the side AC vents apart for rechrome of the round vent edges.  I see the three little gray rivets that hold the back piece to the front piece and I assume keeps the vent ball sandwiched between.  It appears I drill out two of the three as one looks to be an index rivet.  So if that is how I get it apart, my real problem is how and what do I use/do to put it back together once I get parts back.  I plan on replacing the felt once apart and painting the front piece but no clue on reassembly requirements. Is there special rivets or tools I need for this?  Lastly, anything I should be aware of on center vent?

Thanks,
Dan in Kansas

 

[J_Speegle]

Got a picture of the back side of the assembly. Kind of recall but need a refresher to see if have can help

[HDAshmore]

Duh on my part, wrong side pic.  Thanks for responding so quickly.  The little gray pot metal rivets by the screws are what is throwing me.  I assume if I drill those out it comes apart?  Then my real problem is how do I put it back together?  Where do you get stuff like that and the tool I guess is my real problem.

[69GT350H]

If you carefully drill the rivets out, you can use screws to put the vents back together.

[HDAshmore]

Thanks, that's two who have said to use screws.  Any other ides before I go down that route.  My fear is once all done and assembled that they might work themselves loose.  I do not want to pull that dash anymore than I have to. Too old, fat, brittle and stiff to be that too many more times.  Thanks for the ideas so far. 

[1966KGT]

Small dab of green Loctite will keep them snug and make them easy to remove if needed. Use it often on small diameter fastners.

[BlackMcode1970mach1]

Im doing my dash also , im going the ac route .. My car was a non ac car.. where can I get felt for the vents? Maybe a stupid q but ..  also  im cleaning up my dash on the back side im using a drill with a  80 grit wheel.. anyone got any other ideas what I can use to get into the crevices?? I don't have a media blaster , I use evapo rust on lots of stuff. .        any ideas qould be appreciated.! Mark

[HDAshmore]

I am trying to figure it out also on surface rust on the back side of the dash.  I was hopeful vapoblasting with bobby would be the trick but sadly dash is too large for machine.  I am thinking some kind of liquid rust remover then boeshield but I'm just pondering possibilities right now. 
Dan

[1966KGT]

possibility of using small hand held soda blaster for back of dash?

[BlackMcode1970mach1]

I was thinKing that too! I sold my old eastwood blaster when I had moved..  didn't think id ever get a car again.  ha

[J_Speegle]

Might be better off chemically cleaning/stripping the metal so that areas where there is metal overlapping metal areas get stripped of rust and treated.

Just a thought

[HDAshmore]

I think chemical is the way to go
  Maybe phosphoric acid then boeshield, or vinegar? 

[J_Speegle]

I think chemical is the way to go
  Maybe phosphoric acid then boeshield, or vinegar?

Since your dash comes out, unlike earlier models. another possibility might be evaporust. They do make a gel also - have not tested or used it yet but it would eliminate the need to make a dip tank from boxes and a plastic liner - plus allot of product If your going to need to oil then you will need to wait till after the paint coat on the face and flow it into the seams. Some owners/builders mitgh choose to paint the back side with a "natural" looking paint since it will be difficult to see once installed

[HDAshmore]

Evaporust would take too much to fill trough big enough to the to do job so I decided not to even consider it.  My reconsider vice gel vs liquid.  My other big issuebis stripping bthe paint so I will get after that with liqued stripper but hard to find a good stripper now days with all the laws etc... There's a joke in there somewhere 😁
I'll probably clear the backside once rust is chemically removed reagrdless of how it all comes off then oil all the little cracks and crevices.  Thanks for all the feedback. 
Dan

[jwc66k]

Evaporust would take too much to fill trough big enough to the to do job

The Evaporust website show a Dodge frame being "treated" by using a spray bottle with the stuff. Go read the site about that.
Jim