Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

[Edward J.]

I know this subject has been beat to death,I serached the archives found many answers to this subject, and I have talked to Dave S. who has a 71 coupe with original shim bag( 5 star bowtie car),-four phosphated shims and 8 natural washers less than 1/8 thick,the bag is about 4 3/4 x6 and red stitching and yellow draw string.

Now with some of the posting Ive seen there been washers that are 1/8 thick and some that are not, the shim numbers do not always have the same and the bag sizes have been posted with many different sizes.

Lastly, the guys at paragon and the company who have reproduced these kits are swearing that the washer count is (4) 1/8 thick washers and there bag Is 4x6 that this correct through there quote extensive research. just another dilemma.

Maybe theres more than one supplier? P.S Dave if you see this , I believe your car correct.this is just a subject that I think may bring up some good for members

[Sal C.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Is there a question in there somewhere?

[Edward J.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Sal, I guess is there a correct number of washers for different years, and were the washers different thicknesses, and what about the bag sizes,was there more than one company that supplyed these bags.

[Pat M.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

This may not answer all of your questions, but here's an excellent discussion, with pictures, of the various shim kits:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...64239&uid=5457

[Edward J.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Pat, that was one of the articles that made me ask the questions,some of the answers were mixed and it just makes you ask what truely is correct and for what years.I know that Ive seen one truely correct bag with shims form a 71 bowtie car. (hi dave).
another problem is that there being reproducted and sold as correct . but they really don't have a clue as to whats correct.my dillima is I dont have a truely correct set of shims as many of us don't, so when and if we decide to be judged something is better than nothing. but I hate being looked at when the kit you give to the judge knows that this is not even a close second. when where trying to be first.

[Jim T.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

perhaps I will get a digital camera for Christmas and I can post a picture of my original owner 1970 bag and contents.

[Reba W.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

I have run into Paragon's kits often while judging and had trouble convincing the owners they were incorrect. (Many owners don't even removed them from the plastic bags they were shipped in.)

Shims for 1968-69s did have only two oblong and four washers because the latching system was different. But 1970-up has four and eight because of the design of the latching mechanism for those years.

Since 1970+ seats have two bumpers, an unequal number of items does not make sense if one reads the owner's manual, which spells out what these are for and how to use them. It specifies that the rectangular one and the round ones should be used in matching numbers. (no pun intended) One washer should be used for every rectangular one or the latches may not hold.

[Dave S.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

I know this subject has been beat to death,I serached the archives found many answers to this subject, and I have talked to Dave S. who has a 71 coupe with original shim bag( 5 star bowtie car),-four phosphated shims and 8 natural washers less than 1/8 thick,the bag is about 4 3/4 x6 and red stitching and yellow draw string.

Now with some of the posting Ive seen there been washers that are 1/8 thick and some that are not, the shim numbers do not always have the same and the bag sizes have been posted with many different sizes.

Lastly, the guys at paragon and the company who have reproduced these kits are swearing that the washer count is (4) 1/8 thick washers and there bag Is 4x6 that this correct through there quote extensive research.
just another dilemma.

Maybe theres more than one supplier? P.S Dave if you see this , I believe your car correct.this is just a subject that I think may bring up some good for members

Ed,
Attached are photos and measurements which should make things clear.
I don't recall ever seeing a reproduction bag that is correct. Most are smaller and look "new". They are somewhat close and its a good way to get judging credit for having it present. Originals have a "patina" that is easy to see and are of the larger sixe as shown in my photo. You may hear of slightly different measurements for original bags as they do stretch over time. As I note in the photo I have observed original shims to have a clean rounded corner where the reproductions have a less than clean radius. Looks like a grinding wheel may have machined it on the reproductions where the originals may have been punched.

[Gerard Q.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Dave, great pictures with descriptions....I'm still on the look out for an original set & these pics will come in handy.

[Edward J.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Members Thanks For The Responses, And Dave Thanks For The Measurements.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

If you have shims that are not 100% correct install them on the seats and they are lots harder to judge.

[John H.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

Supplier Trivia - Those shim kits (and the license plate attaching kits) were always sourced to sheltered workshops for the handicapped. I remember touring a group of them through the plant one afternoon.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

I had a one registered owner '71, with front end damage that I had purchased. I made the purchase from second owners (who had passed away) family, but was never repaired or registered to that owner. Long story (sold back to the family), but what is relevant here is that I kept the seat shims and bag that were in the rear compartment. I believe it to have contained a couple of the original license plate screws also (pictured). There are the four large shims that all measure .183 in thickness (with micrometer). The eight washers contained in the bag measure between .116-.119 in thickness (with micrometer). The bag itself measures-4 1/2" x 6 3/8". Looks to be missing the yellow drawstring. I am including a photo of the bag and contents (including the two license plate screws that were in the bag).
Lynn

[Dick W.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

At one point in time there was a 100% correct bag available. When I had the parts business I bought them 100 at a time. The ONLY detectable difference was the age, a little coffee or tea would take care of that. The last time I purchased any was over 10 years ago and the stock is long gone. The data base that contained my supplier information is also long gone history.

Now that I think of it, I believe that a sometimes poster on '70-'72 threads purchased all my existing inventory.

[Edward J.]

Re: Seat Shim Kits - Again- C3

I did find a supplier that makes the bag that looks like the original,only the size is 5x7 , I dont know that these bags are exact as the measurements.