First Ride, First Mishap

[Christopher Pergola]

I just took my newly purchased '65 for its first ride and out popped the seat pivot screw that goes through the side chrome rail on the door-side of the passenger seat leaving the back-rest portion of the seat holding on by only the the console-side pivot screw.

I tried to put it back in, but there doesn't appear to be enough space to screw it back in without removing the seat.

I have two questions:

1. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about making this repair?

2. Since I'm sure this is only the first of many repairs I'll be making over the course of owning my '65, can anyone recommend a publication that gives step-by-step instructions on how to make this and other types of repairs?

Thanks.

[Alan J.]

Re: First Ride, First Mishap

The seat is very easy to remove. There are four brackets-- one at each seat corner -- each held by 2 bolts -- that pass through the brackets, then through the carpet and the fiberglass floor pan, and finally into nuts that are welded to a metal plate fastened to the bottom of the floor pan. The only possible complication might arise from corrosion on the bolts. The bolts are easier to reach if you adjust the seat as far back as possible.

You need only remove the front two brackets -- the seat should then slide forward a bit, then out.

When putting the seat back in, note whether some bolts are shorter than the others -- they probably go on the bracket next to the drive shaft tunnel. The exhaust pipe fits pretty close to the floor pan here, and longer bolts might contact the pipe, creating an annoying rattle.

My first pub was the GM 1963 Corvette shop manual, + the '65 supplement. I highly recommend them. There are a few minor errors and omissions, but they are generally very good. I think the NCRS sells them on this site somewhere.

Congrats on your purchase!

Alan