Neither one of my seats locks or releases using the lever on the 'hockey sticks'. There's still some tension on the lever, but nothing happens when it's moved. Since I'm taking the seat covers off anyway to add headrests, I'll have access to the mechanism. Is there something that usually malfunctions with the release mechanism? How is the problem fixed? Thank you.
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Re: '67 seat back release
Larry, I to am waiting for an answer, as I have the same problem . Bill. -
Re: '67 seat back release
Check the following:
* The outside lever attaches to the shaft with a "set" screw. Check to make sure the set screw is not stripped, can be tightened, and will stay tightened.
* Take the seat back off. Remove the plastic shield that covers the lever mechanism. Check the relay rod to make sure it is connected on both ends.
* Oil the shaft of the catch mechanism. This is probably the biggest cause of the catch not working. Make sure it moves freely, locks in the closed position, can be released, and springs into the open position.
* Check the lock mechanism that it is not bent. If the seat back is pushed back while the lock mechansim is closed, it is easy to bend it.
* Check the alignment of the catch in the seat top with the catch in the seat bottomComment
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Re: '67 seat back release
Larry,
To add to what Douglas said, check also the position of the catch at the back of the seat bottom. The catch is adjustable side to side by loosening the screws which hold the catch in place.
Usually the problem with the seat bottom catch is that the seat back won't stay locked back. From what you describe, the problem is probably with the seat back mechanism.
Hope this helps,Jerry Fuccillo
1967 327/300 Convertible since 1968Comment
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Re: '67 seat back release
I agree with Jerry. Neither of mine worked properly until I adjusted the CATCH mechanism. In other words, the latches weren't getting "pushed" back into the lock position when the seat was pushed back. Once I figured that out and got it adjusted correctly, all it took was some lube and working the latch back a forth a bit to loosen it up and bingo - both seats now work.Comment
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Re: '67 seat back release
Thank you everyone for your usual excellent help!Comment
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Re: '67 seat back release (lever = 3903570)
Today I noticed the following:
Release Knob (or lever) on the side of each seat at the "hockey stick" has part number 3903570 cast into the backside.
Original 1967 Knob has a significantly larger "set-screw" than does the service part! (Service part was purchased in 1970's.)
Service part (3903570 on the box) includes the smaller set-screw, also has 3903570 cast into the backside.https://MichiganNCRS.org
Michigan Chapter
Tom DingmanComment
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Re: '67 seat back release
Both orig. and service set screws are slotted. I believe there is no way (both) originals would have been drilled & tapped.
1. They look better than the service part.
2. The pass. seat was hardly used - Still has orig. vinyl and no rust on the tracks, despite early driving in Western NY.
3. The car has low miles.
4. I know all owners, except the original (first) one.
I will post photos when time permits.
Tomhttps://MichiganNCRS.org
Michigan Chapter
Tom DingmanComment
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Re: '67 seat back release
I suppose... I guess I have no comment on the judging guide... showing this particular detail.
In my photo, the lever on the left is the one that came in the box shown. It was stored improperly, so there is rust on the set screw. It was ordered by Hartway Motors in Medina, NY and sold to me as NOS 25 years ago. I am sure it looked a lot better on the day I bought it. I can't remember if I was the one who ordered it, but they didn't have many other Corvette customers (until recent years.)
The other two were on my un-restored original black vinyl seats since I acquired the 1967 in June of 1976. See above for my comments on original status.
I didn't notice the difference in the size of the set screws until December, 2009.https://MichiganNCRS.org
Michigan Chapter
Tom DingmanComment
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Re: '67 seat back release
Larry, till now I was not aware that some of the handles for the seat back locks had larger set screws. The mechanism on my '67 did not work when I bought the car. When I took the seat apart I found the shaft that the lever attaches to had broken. It looked to me like a combination of rust and a groove in the shaft which I believe contributed to the weakness. At the time you could not get a replacement part so I made one out of stainless steel. I was doing machine work at the time. At the time I had made tooling to mass produce these parts. Years ago I showed Al Knoch what I had made and he told me that he wasn't interested as he had enough junk seats to last him the rest of his life. That took the air out of my sails but at least I was able to fix my car. I think that part is now available as a reproduction. Not out of stainless steel though. My Corvette Central Catalogue shows it to be called a crank with p/n 482043 at $16.50 each. I hope this helps you. Brooks Glover (2141)Comment
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Re: '67 seat back release
There is another discussion about the used of the two different set screw sizes, in this forum:
It's more than 10 years later now, I am still thinking the smaller set screw (8-32 instead of 1/4"-28) was a NOS (service only) version. Like a lot of OEM vs. NOS changes, I wonder why? Perhaps the smaller set screw was cheaper.https://MichiganNCRS.org
Michigan Chapter
Tom DingmanComment
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Re: '67 seat back release
Here are 2 photos of the Lever from a 1967 Jan13 Build. hope this helps.
Tony20200605_213635.jpg20200605_213241.jpgComment
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