1978 Seatback Angle

[Hugh A.]

The driver's seatback in my 78 pace car seems very reclined - requiring me to lean forward to reach the steering wheel when the seat is in the correct position for my feet on the pedels.

The only adjustment lever moves the entire seat forward and back - but there does not appear to be any obvious adjustment mechanism for the angle of the seat back.

Anyone with a better solution than a pillow behind my upper back?

[Larry C.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Hugh,

I am the original owner of a 1978 S.A. and noticed that same problem soon after I began driving it back in '78. I removed the rubber bumpers from the bottom of the seat backs and added four flat fender washers (about 1/4" total thickness) before screwing the bumper bolts back in. Just tilt the seat back forward and you will see these rubber bumpers (two for each seat back). This doesn't seem like much, but it greatly improved the seat angle and I doubt that anybody would notice that the seat back angle has been changed.

Larry

[Hugh A.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Thank you Larry - I'll get right on it.

Have you noticed any affect on the internal inertial latching system in the event of a sudden stop?

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Hugh...I found washers under the tracks on my 78 like Larry. Early C3s came with shims but it was dropped along the way.

[Larry C.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Hugh,

Yes, as I recall, there is a point you could reach where the iniertia latch would not work properly. I think the 1/4" washer shims under the bumper bolts is about the maximum. You can tell after you install the washers by letting the seat back down to see if it latches. If it does, you should be okay. If not, you may have to remove one or more washer shims.

I have never experienced any problems with the seat back not latching since 1978.

Larry

[Tom H.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

I don't think the shims that work in a standard 78 will do the trick on a pace car sine the pace car uses a different seat. ( Pace car used the 79 style seat. )

[Hugh A.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Tom, does your signature indicate that you have two 78's? If so - did you find the same washers under the tracks in both?

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 Seatback Angle

Tom, does your signature indicate that you have two 78's? If so - did you find the same washers under the tracks in both?

Hugh

Yes...two! The second is a Pace Car and the seat tracks are different but no washers were found. They actually have a slant to the track with the rear sitting higher.