Working on new Clam shell seats. Locking the back ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 925
Likes: 242
From: Deshler Nebraska
Working on new Clam shell seats. Locking the back ?
OK. I have a 1966 coupe that I am putting new 1979-1982 clam shell style seats in.
I bought seat, bottom, back and slides from Al.
When I put on the hinges on they have a lock position. I did not get any lever or whatever to attach to the seat to be able to release the seat back so I can fold it forward.
I took some tape and taped the action so the seat back will never lock. Good/bad ??? Am I missing some parts to work on this folding seat lock ??
I bought seat, bottom, back and slides from Al.
When I put on the hinges on they have a lock position. I did not get any lever or whatever to attach to the seat to be able to release the seat back so I can fold it forward.
I took some tape and taped the action so the seat back will never lock. Good/bad ??? Am I missing some parts to work on this folding seat lock ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,447
Likes: 1,475
From: Little Rock AR
There is a plastic and brass pendulum in the hinge mechanism. It swings forward in a crash. The seat back will lock in place.
They can be problematic at times where the seat back will lock up and you can't get it to release. It's happened a few times to me. I have an extra set of hinges to experiment with so I ripped the pendulums out. Seems to be fine without them. Never installed them in the car but if it locks up again, I probably will.
They can be problematic at times where the seat back will lock up and you can't get it to release. It's happened a few times to me. I have an extra set of hinges to experiment with so I ripped the pendulums out. Seems to be fine without them. Never installed them in the car but if it locks up again, I probably will.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,624
Likes: 3,097
From: Shamong, NJ
The 78 Pace Cars and 79-82 clam shell seats have an inertia lock mechanism as explained above. It's not uncommon for them to periodically lock up, the passenger side seat in my 81 does it occasionally, though the driver's side never has. I carry a long small diameter flat head screwdriver in the glove box that fits perfectly into the hinge to release it when stuck.
