1968 seats explained
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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1968 seats explained
Hello,
I'm new to this car so can someone who has dealt with the 1968 seats explain the shims and bumpers. I know its probably simplilar than I realize. I just don't know what GM was thinking in the original design?
I have a june of 68 built car with the low position seat release.
My seat backs wobble with no weight on them. The tracks appear solid. The seat back has a large nylon bumper that has slightly mushroomed over the years. It rests on a silver colored solid metal stop when locked in the upright position.
My question is I've seen on various vendors a shim kit and an oval base nylon or rubber bumper. I presently do not have this part on my lower seat yet the vendors list it for 1968-69 replacement.
I'm just not sure what I need to firm up the seats and decrease the lean a little if possible.
I looked at the search feature but not anything I could use info wise.
Thanks in advance,
Marshal
I'm new to this car so can someone who has dealt with the 1968 seats explain the shims and bumpers. I know its probably simplilar than I realize. I just don't know what GM was thinking in the original design?
I have a june of 68 built car with the low position seat release.
My seat backs wobble with no weight on them. The tracks appear solid. The seat back has a large nylon bumper that has slightly mushroomed over the years. It rests on a silver colored solid metal stop when locked in the upright position.
My question is I've seen on various vendors a shim kit and an oval base nylon or rubber bumper. I presently do not have this part on my lower seat yet the vendors list it for 1968-69 replacement.
I'm just not sure what I need to firm up the seats and decrease the lean a little if possible.
I looked at the search feature but not anything I could use info wise.
Thanks in advance,
Marshal
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,731
Likes: 2,582
On my 69 the seat cushion has a fixed rubber bumper. The seat back has an adjustable screw with a locking nut and a large head that also has a rubber bumper. This last piece can be used to adjust the rake of the seat back.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Marshall,
The original shim kit consisted of 4 small rectangular plates (with 2 holes each) and 4 thick round washers.
I believe the idea was to put 1 or 2 of the rectangular plates under the part of the latch that attaches to the seat bottom, and 1 or 2 of the round washers under the round metal stop.This straightens the seat back a bit.
Regards,
Alan
The original shim kit consisted of 4 small rectangular plates (with 2 holes each) and 4 thick round washers.
I believe the idea was to put 1 or 2 of the rectangular plates under the part of the latch that attaches to the seat bottom, and 1 or 2 of the round washers under the round metal stop.This straightens the seat back a bit.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I have a june of 68 built car with the low position seat release.
Are you sure it is a low position release ?
I had a April 68 car and it had the 69 style high release already.
Anyway, the trick is to make the nylon bushing as thick as possible in order for the catch to still make it , but keep tight , so that the seat back does not wobble.
To bring the back up straighter , shims need to be installed as Alan wrote.
Rgds. Günther
I have a june of 68 built car with the low position seat release.
Are you sure it is a low position release ?
I had a April 68 car and it had the 69 style high release already.
Anyway, the trick is to make the nylon bushing as thick as possible in order for the catch to still make it , but keep tight , so that the seat back does not wobble.
To bring the back up straighter , shims need to be installed as Alan wrote.
Rgds. Günther
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Wesch,
yes, seat release is low on the back of my June 12th built car.
Guess they used up 1st what ever was on hand as it came down the assy line.
Thanks Alan, I found the shim kit you were refering to at Doc-Rebuilds.
This in effect will within a small margin it looks like anyhow decrease the lean in the seat back.
I'm going to replace the nylon "hockey pucks" on the seat backs also.
This may remove some of the sloppyness.
Melwff, do you know if the 69 adjuster style stops on the seat backs are workable without allot of modification on the late 68's
Thanks,
Marshal
yes, seat release is low on the back of my June 12th built car.
Guess they used up 1st what ever was on hand as it came down the assy line.
Thanks Alan, I found the shim kit you were refering to at Doc-Rebuilds.
This in effect will within a small margin it looks like anyhow decrease the lean in the seat back.
I'm going to replace the nylon "hockey pucks" on the seat backs also.
This may remove some of the sloppyness.
Melwff, do you know if the 69 adjuster style stops on the seat backs are workable without allot of modification on the late 68's
Thanks,
Marshal
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
FWIW, # 13092 is a low position release March Vette......and a one owner car so I know its right.....my cousin incorrectly replaced the seats rather than repair one of them with a set that has a high position release that I did not notice until after he left........
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do you have the assembly instruction manual (AIM)? It shows the seat back bumpers, latches, etc. If memory serves, the 68 set up is one year only. It is similar, but not the same as, the 69 set up.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mike,
no AIM, just looking for possible solutions as I'm sure what ever I will think of with this new car has already been done by someone else here.
Thanks,
Marshal
no AIM, just looking for possible solutions as I'm sure what ever I will think of with this new car has already been done by someone else here.
Thanks,
Marshal
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
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Marshal, I have a 68 built in Dec 67 with the low latch. I fixed mine by installing a large fender washer on top of the lower spacer. It takes a little more force to latch the seat but solved the wobble problem. I then got a longer rail bolt and stacked grade 8 washer as shims until everything was level. I welded the washers together and bolted everything up. The drivers seat headrest was slightly lower so I added an additional washer on both sides. It made a world of difference.