The rivets I use for staking the core plugs in place are .400" oal with .375" helix section. I install the core plugs and then drill two 3/32 holes, 5/16" deep and 180 degrees apart into the side of the core plug hole, perpendicular to the centerline of the core plug. I use a small hammer to tap the rivets into place. If the plug tries to work it's way out, the edge of the core plug will be prevented from moving by the head of the rivet.
They can be removed by working a fine blade screwdriver under the head and prying them out.
Perhaps calling it a "rivet" is a bit misleading. They sort of look like tiny versions of the metal "screws" that were included in older plastic model cars for fastening the chassis to the body, minus the screwdriver slot.
To give credit where credit is due, I got the idea from an old Chevy Performance book that was sold through GM dealers back in the day. It's simple and it works. Initially, my thought was to convert to screw in core plugs but the price of the tap was prohibitive.
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