'66 Malibu N/SA

[Dave Muller]

I got most of the seat installation done this weekend, but not quite all. I wound up reworking the right-side brackets to stiffen them up. I shortened the one and added a vertical piece to each for strength.



Here is the right side mocked up. I wound up moving it to the rear before finalizing it. That side is done once the paint dries on the brackets; that didn't quite happen in time to finish the install today.



The left side is mostly set up now, though the inside bracket still needs to be strengthened a bit more. Once I get that done I'll be ready to sit in it to determine if I have the location correct. I will also add additional bracing to the front of the seat down to the bracket so it'll be much more rigid than it is here.

[Bob Mulry]

If you don't put a brace from the seat back to the floor you will be on you back staring at the headliner the first time it hooks and leaves....Usually the seat back is connected to the roll bar cross bar behind the seat....

Just sayin'

[FireSale]

I have those seats in my 68 Mustang Coupe which has a really difficult floor to fit too.

You do need to add more bracing to that, you don't really have much contact area. The brackets Kirkey and others make for this seat bolt to the side of it and run from front to back about 12 inches. I would at least weld cross pieces to your brackets front and back to join them into a single unit.

You will need a back brace connected to a cross member of the roll bar behind the seat.

My seat mount is constructed from 2X3 aluminum channel and a sheet of 3/16 T6 aluminum to form an elevated platform bolted to the floor in 6 places. The seat is on Kirkey brackets bolted to this platform. I can't weld aluminum but with lock washers is seems very solid. The back brace is the one Kirkey makes. It bolts to clamps around the cross member of the cage. It's out of the car now so I can't post a pic.

Not to run on, but it's a safety thing.

EDIT: I reread your captions and edited this post. You recognize the need to strengthen the brackets.

[HandOverFist]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

If you don't put a brace from the seat back to the floor you will be on you back staring at the headliner the first time it hooks and leaves....Usually the seat back is connected to the roll bar cross bar behind the seat....

Just sayin'

I'll second that...I would want some type of brace on that aluminum seat back. With a suitable brace bolted in place that would give a place to mount a good over the shoulder belt restraint system. Another perk is you are exempt from the current 2-year re-certification rule for belts. Heck, I'll send you a expired set of ours for the price of shipping. I would not install a roll bar if I had plans to return it to the street someday.

[Dave Muller]

Wow, this really woke you guys up!

I guess I should have been more clear about a couple of things. Yes, there will be more bracing at the bottom of the seat, either two,or more likely four braces from the side of the seat down to the floor. And I always planned on a roll bar (hence the lack of a back seat) which will, of course, have a brace to the back of the seat.

[chris ok]

Hey Dave just stopped by to check out your car.
It's looking good and can't wait to hear you're making some passes soon
Chris
Cold n dreary here in New York
Need to get outside soon to mine n get ready for spring too.

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by chris ok

Hey Dave just stopped by to check out your car.
It's looking good and can't wait to hear you're making some passes soon
Chris
Cold n dreary here in New York
Need to get outside soon to mine n get ready for spring too.

Ah, I remember shivering in the garage during Long Island winters. Then I left the dark side and came out here.

[chris ok]

Smart man you are Dave. Cold and snowy here. Shoveled around garage but did not make it in. Am looking at getting a trailer this year and get more involved in the 10.0 racing up here. Enough with the uhaul deals.