Replacing cowl lacing 'the easy way?'

[oldmotorsguy]

I am in the process of replacing the worn and discolored cowl lacing on a 1926 Model T Ford Coupe. The kit comes with rivets that must be installed from underneath the cowl, and it appears that this will require removal of the gas tank and an overall hassle.

Is there an easier way to do this? I was thinking of just using flat head sheet metal screws instead of the rivets, and this way I could do it without all of the underneath the cowl inconvenience.

 

[Big John]

yeh, you can do that and take the easy way out,,,,,and miss all the fun...

 

[Bubby Sharp in KY]

Use POP rivets 3/16 dia and paint black. We did this on a 26 coupe, worked great . Bubby Sharp in KY

 

[oldmotorsguy]

Bubby: 3/16" pop rivets, color the heads with a black 'Sharpie,' and I like this one, Bubby. Done deal. I was thinking slotted sheet metal screws, but your method is more stylish.

Big John: Although I like to think of myself as a 'purist,' obviously there are limits to my purity: the ol' back will just not cooperate the way it used to, and considering crawling up inside that cowling, I think the fun would only start when I wake up from the anesthesia and start flirting with the nurses while I'm still in traction...

 

[oldmotorsguy]

Bubby: I just got done pop riveting the lace on the cowl, painted the heads black, and it looks like a million bucks! Thanks for the suggestion, it saved me lots of time and pain.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

Take some JB Weld and fill in the rivet looks better that way!

 

[Bubby Sharp in KY]

Oldmotorsguy, Congradulations on your success . Bubby Sharp in KY