[Bobs69SS]

Can somebody help me with a very wierd problem? I bought a restored 69 SS. The seats have original hardware with new covers. Both of the seats are toed out (the driver seat is cocked a few degrees to the left fender, and the pass seat is pointing a few degrees towards the right fender). I am not seeing anything that would lead me to believe the studs were moved.

A few other tidbits. For one, the console is actually squeezed between the two seats (could be due to them being cocked outward, thus pushing the seat backs together on the console). And I am 6'1". With the seats all the way back, I am still way up on the steering wheel. I am close enough that the side view mirror will not adjust far enough to give me a comfortable view.

I looked through the posts, and saw nobody else complaining about this, which made me thing something was wrong. Is there any measurements I can take to qualify the current location of the mounting studs?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

 

[Keith Tedford]

You probably have the seats bolted down through the wrong holes in the rear. They shouldn't be squeezing the console.

 

[Alwhite00]

Sounds like someone added buckets without adding all of the floor mount stuff.

LK

 

[Bobs69SS]

Thank you for some quick responses. A couple question come to mind.

First, with regard to bolting the seats down in the wrong holes in the rear, they are welded studs on the floorpan. I know F-bodies use bolts, but A-bodies are just nuts. Unless a replacement pan was used, and the studs were welded to the wrong location.

With respect to the bench/bucket conversion, I dont know for sure, but I dont see any hardware that needs to be added to convert from bench to bucket. I see 4 studs welded to the floorpan, and looking through the 69 Fisher body manual, it looks like the same studs are used for bench or bucket.

Is there anywhere I can find measurements from specific locations to verify the location of the studs?

Again, thanks for the quick response.

 

[Bobs69SS]

Sorry, quick retraction. After looking closer to the Fisher body manual, it appears that bench seats use bolts as well. I dont believe it to be a bench to bucket conversion. I have the pictures of the restoration, and it was originally bucket (unless that conversion took place a loooong time ago).

 

[rubadub]

I have a few pictures of the mounting brackets scattered around on my floor pan installation, heres one of the better pictures for a bench seat, it might not help but anyway, heres one. http://www.1969supersport.com/flrpn2.html second picture down.

Rob

 

[1badss396]

Sounds like they installed the seats with the spring under tension which makes the seats crooked??

 

[Donnie1]

the back of the seat tracks has a left and a right mounting hole. if there mounted in the left hole (on the drivers side) right hole (on the passenger side) it will rub the console.

 

[Bobs69SS]

Hmm, can you explain further what you mean? I do know that the springs are very much under tension when I install the seats. I dont know what that uncovers, but I can definitely say there is good spring tension to line up the seats with the studs from the right studs to the left studs. I thought they should just set right on the studs, but they dont. I have to bolt one side down, and they push on the track (pretty hard) to get the other side to line up. Does that help explain anything?

 

[Neuman]

Hmm, can you explain further what you mean? I do know that the springs are very much under tension when I install the seats. I dont know what that uncovers, but I can definitely say there is good spring tension to line up the seats with the studs from the right studs to the left studs. I thought they should just set right on the studs, but they dont. I have to bolt one side down, and they push on the track (pretty hard) to get the other side to line up. Does that help explain anything?

You should be able to move the non-tensioned leg forward or backward to match the tensioned side for ease of installation. The spring tension, however, should not be the problem. I agree with Donnie1 that the problem is that you're using the wrong hole on the inner legs.

 

[djw]

Below is a photo I took during my conversion to buckets. 69 buckets have three studs and one "bolt from above". The studs are front left, front right and rear right. The bolt goes at rear left. If memory serves correctly, there are two threaded holes in the floor pan for the bolt and you need to make sure you use the correct one. I "think" it's the outer one towards the door. The string in the photo is attached to the bolt. Regardless, if you stab the three studs correctly (IF they are in the right spot), the correct threaded hole should be visible through the seat track.

PS.....it has been a while since I did this, so others feel free to chime in and correct me if my memory is wrong.

 

[Bryan59EC]

Go look at this thread
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192782

This is what I did on a 66 Elky with 68 Buick Seats and tracks
The measurements came out the same on the 68 as they did on my 66.
I double check with a 67 LeMans and all my measurements were within 1/8"

You need to use the inboard hole at the rear to mount the bucket brackets
(outboard hole on the bracket to the inboard hole in the floor)

I do have some pics of this if you PM me with an e-mail.

 

[1badss396]

Hmm, can you explain further what you mean? I do know that the springs are very much under tension when I install the seats. I dont know what that uncovers, but I can definitely say there is good spring tension to line up the seats with the studs from the right studs to the left studs. I thought they should just set right on the studs, but they dont. I have to bolt one side down, and they push on the track (pretty hard) to get the other side to line up. Does that help explain anything?

Bingo.:yes:

 

[Bobs69SS]

Thanks for the responses. I am away on travel until Thursday. I will take a look at the seats this weekend, and see what I can find. I will let you know. Thanks again.

~bob

 

[Bobs69SS]

OK, so I went after the obvious and realized that both seats did, in fact, have there rear inside tracks studded through the wrong holes in the seat track. So, when I put them in the right holes, the seats straightened out (ok i feel like a real moron on this one). The second problem still exists.

Why are my knees just about up against the dashboard? Could it be that when they restored the car, they put the left seat tracks on the right seat and vice versa? I am just stabbing in the dark here. Are there any kits out there that allow me to move the tracks back? Just for informational purposes, the rear studs/holes are in line with the rear console bracket holes.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[1badss396]

You might have to cut your legs off just above the ankles, dosent hurt as much and you can still stab the gas pedal with your nub