I made a tool out of a solid rod just slightly smaller than the inside of the latch barrel with a slot on the end of the rod that surrounded the rivet shaft. Heating the end of the rivet also helps. The rivet may still bend a little as the open end of the rod can still allow some bending, but not enough to matter. Just beadblast the latch afterward to make it ready to prime and paint black. I rebuilt 8 latches and this worked OK. The hardest part is trying to recreate the seam after welding up the worn areas on the barrels. I have no idea how Ford did it.
Rusty Nelson
