i was cleaning an FE 390 4V manifold today and i couldn't figure out how to clean behind the "pan" on the underside of the manifold. is there a way to take it off without destroying it?
it is riveted on so i know there would be some drilling involved, but before i got into it i wanted to make sure if i could replace it or if there was another way to clean all the crap from behind it.
thanks

tap 1/4-20 and yer good to go.

"Fastenal" shows the rivets in their 2008 catalog.

Richard.

on thier own as they are not rivits so to speak. They have a twist on them so you can cut a slot into the top of the head and use a screw driver or use a combo of a chisle and punch to turn them out. A good swift whack with a hammer sets them back in place once you have cleaned them out.

I have used a chisel between the head of the fastener and the sheet metal tap
the chisel with a hammer so you are going under the head in a counter_clockwise
direction. I have had them back right out.

Use a Dremel tool and cutoff wheel to slot the heads. Use a screw driver or impact screw driver to back them out.
You can then tap the hole or press the original screws in, use locktite to secure them.