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Old 05-03-2008, 11:02 AM
KyleM
 
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Quote:
Barring that the only other way to stop the leakage is to find a good welder and get him to spot weld around each rivet as needed. I finally had to go this method when the leakage got too bad.
This is the same bunk advice I got 10 years ago when I started fixing up collector aluminum boats. I cant tell you how wrong it is.

Those rivets are in the boat to tighten down a rubber gasket, theres more then meets the eye on aluminum riveted boats. The second you touch a riveted boat with a torch, you lose your seal because you melt the gasket.

The one way is to use a multi-dolly (as stated above) and carefully bang the rivets back to being snug.

The other way and personally I prefer this.....find a small stainless pan-head bolt (as close to the rivet size as possible), drill out the old rivet (some need special bit) and then insert the bolt......tighten down on the other side with the nut. Be sure to use a good expanding epoxy when inserting the bolt.
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