Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

[Kirk McHugh]

Just wondering if I can switch the seats in my 67 convertible? The drivers side shows modest wear while the passenger seat looks like new. Seats seem identical to me. If so, is it as simple as the four bolts holding them to the floor? Since I'm going to pull cluster this winter and get it restored, I am planning to drop the steering column and just thought temporarily removing the seats before doing this might actually give me a little more room to get the cluster out. Anyway, just wondering. Someone with some experience in this let me know. Thanks.

[George R.]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Kirk:

Just a heads up maybe your already aware of. The cluster has a date stamped on the back of it like my 67 L71 did. It was a Feb. XX date in 67 like my Vin showed. Good way to check build date. Since it's out it's easier then using a mirror. Always take pictures of any original numbers too for future records.

If your seat shows wear don't forget if you recover always install new foam. Installation should be easy unless adjustment is different per seat.I even put a set of leather 66 seats in my 61. Looked damn nice too and bolted right in.

Good luck
george

[Stephen L.]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Seats are interchangeable...just the 4 bolts.
Steering column comes out easily providing a lot more room to remove cluster.

Depending on cluster condition, you can restore it yourself. Send in the gauges your uncomfortable disassembling. I did my cluster and gauges myself... no prior experience. It turned out great and was a fun project

[Joe L.]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Kirk------

I always "rotated" the seats in my 69 when I was driving it day-to-day (1969 to 1977) in order to "even out" the wear. The problem was that the real "limiting factor" as far as seat cover life was concerned turned out to be the "rotting" of the padding under the seat insert material. However, this "phenomenon" only applies to 68-76 Corvettes.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Kirk,

The seats in a 67 are interchangeable side to side. It sure makes it easier on your back to remove and reinstall the cluster with the drivers seat removed.

A lot of guys will tell your that you need to remove the steering column to remove the cluster. I found on my 67 that you don't have to remove the steering column, just loosen the mounting braces under the dash and drop the column down 1/4" to 3/8" to clear the little tab on the mast collar so that it will slide back to you. On a 67 there is a tab on the collar with fits into the cluster.

It also helps to remove the steering wheel, but I've pulled the cluster with and without removing the steering wheel.

In removing the cluster, just follow the 67 service manual. Draw a sketch of the backside of the cluster and get some stick on labels to put on each electrical connector wire you remove. Key the connector wire labels to the sketch as you remove them, so that you know where each one goes when you reinstall. There are some articles on the cluster restoration, maybe someone will chime in.

Once you get the cluster out of the car you'll see how easy it is to restore the cluster casting and lenses. However, I would not think about trying to restore the tach, speedo and gages. You can send the whole cluster in for a turn-key restoration, or just the tach and speedo assemblies (as I did) for restoration. They can even reface the small guages or provide you with overlays, or you can get repro small guages.

I used D&M Restoration (see Driveline) for my tach/speedo assemblies some years ago. They came back with a pretty fast turnaround looking brand new.

Good luck and have fun with your project.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Dave B.]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Kirk,
Check out Restorer Vol 33, Number 1, Summer 2006, page 18 for an article on pulling the dash and re-installation. If you have any questions, give me a call. Regards and Merry Christmas
Dave

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Switching Seats in my 67 Vert

Thanks everyone. Already have all the cluster articles. Have read and re-read them in preparation for the removal. Wouldn't really even attempt this except that the odometer gear blew on me shortly after I installed the re-set cable. Learned later that that is a common problem. I kinda hate taking something apart that has never been apart, but I think everything will look a heck of lot better with clean lenses and gauges. I plan to take pics and document the whole thing. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.