67/68/69 cuda dilemma

One of the things I have been stop and go on this project is the smaller parts that cannot be replaced with new repops. The center console ash tray bezel is one such item. I think a number of pages back I showed that I sandblasted it and filled the pits with aluminum JB weld. I finally took the time to get it sanded smooth, and primered with epoxy primer. I will likely just paint it a dull aluminum color. However there was an issue with the spring clip for the ashtray being loose. This was bothering me because I had to figure out a way to permanently fix this problem. Follow along as I show how I fixed it.

For starters I measured where its pressed together, to see if I had enough room for my fix.

Then I carefully filed off the press rivet to remove the spring clip, leaving just enough of a ring in the pot metal sticking up to locate the clip.

I used a #40 drill or .098" drill and drilled the center offset slightly outboard to not drill into the side of the casting.

I used a #3 monel steel button head aircraft rivet, and stainless steel washer, along with JB weld to glue it back together.

You can see in the final pic, I came very close to coming through the side of the casting.

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