Targa Window Corner Seal

I've got a 74 911 Targa and I'm replacing all the weather-stripping around the windows. On the top of the vent window frame is the corner seal - which is riveted to the vent window frame with some copper or brass rivets. These are not pop rivets. Any ideas/suggestions on how to install the new rivets? Thanks in advance! Mike

I replaced those same two pieces on my '73 a few years ago, drilling out the old rivets, and using a self-tapping screw in their place, with carefully filed down screw tips for minimum intrusion and clearance problems.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[Seven-Seven]

Warren --

I know that it's been many years now since you replaced the rivets with self-tapping screws, but do you happen to recall what the screws were made of (i.e. brass, stainless, etc.) and whether the threads were coarse or machine-like?

I'm looking at the same repair work right now and I want to try and get this right the first time.

Thanks

[Early_S_Man]

Carlton,

The screws I used were just zinc-plated steel from a local hardware store ... probably not the best solution. The threads were coarse, probably intended for sheet metal use. I believe the window frame is chrome-plated brass, so not a lot of tolerance for error is present!

I suspect that a pop-rivet gun with an extended nosepiece and copper pop-rivets would be closest to the ideal solution. But, I haven't had any problem with my 'expedient' solution coming loose, either!

[Peterfrans]

I bought the original rivets from my local p-dealer, put a fitting piece of metal in my benchvise and with a hamer and punch flattened the rivet. As the copper is relatively soft it was very easy to come up with good results.

[Seven-Seven]

Based on Warren's note that riveting might be "ideal" and Peter's success with using the factory rivets, I'm going to take a stab at riveting the corner back in place, possibly with (factory) copper rivets if I can get my hands on them.

Since I decided (just last night) to send the quarter-window frame out for powder coating, I have a few days in which to find the right materials and tools.

Thanks for the info!