Seat Mounts

Q: Seat Mounts

I’m in the process of removing the driver’s side seat mount from the floor of my 1969 ‘bird to get at some nasty rust spots. (holes actually)

1. Can anyone who has done this before tell me whether the seat mount comes out as 1 or 2 pieces.

2. It looks to me like there are 2 pieces that are spotwelded together. Is this correct ?

3. If so, should I drill out the welds to get them apart of is it easier to leave them together ?

Also, am I correct in thinking that the frame mount bolt under the seat must be out to do this job ??

A: The seat mount should be removed in one piece. In my experience, the best way to remove it is to first drill out the spot welds on the upper rocker by the door jam. This will reduce the amount of damage in this area which is important since the replacement floor pan welds on is this area.

Next, unbolt the rear subframe bolts (as a hint, spray the top of the bolt – through the opening in the pedestal – with penetrant and let it soak overnight). Then just cut around the whole pedestal and pull it out. To remove the remaining floor pan from the pedestal, you can either drill the spot welds or use a impact chisel.

After you’ve cleaned up the edges but before you completed all the trim work, install the pan and cut the hole in the new pan for the frame bolt. Then set the pedestal in place and bolt it down to the subframe. This will spread the load and insure that the pan is a tight fit. Scribe a line around the pan and remove. Trim to about 1/2 inch below the line. Re-install the pan and weld SOLID. Don’t forget to caulk the seam from underneath.

A: In answer to your questions, based on my experience with my 68:

Q2: Yes, there are two pieces.

Q3: You have to take them out seperately – the inner smaller piece also welds to the floor, and you can’t get to those welds with the bigger piece installed.

Q4: Eventually you have to get the bolt out – the nut is captured in the inner brace. Soak it in penetrating oil for a couple of days and it comes right out. You don’t have to remove it to get the upper piece off.

If you get the spot weld driller from Eastwood, only half the weld is cut and you have solid metal to align the pieces and to MIG it back together. Take your time – it’s pretty straightforward.

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