66 Seat track

[Joe R.]

Does anyone have any experience with the repro mid year seat tracks? How do they fit? I have 66 roadster and my right track has significant rust damage at the rear. My choices are to find a good condition original or repro. Would appreciate any suggestions on sources for an original or experience with the repro's. Thanks Joe

[Gary B.]

'66 Seat track

Joe,

A few years ago when I tackled the seat frames and tracks on my '66 I considered buying good used original tracks, I think from JT Piper, but the price (several hundred per track, if I'm remembering correctly) immediately convinced me that straightening one of my original tracks was well worth the time and effort. But my tracks were only a little rusty and pitted; one was quite bent, and my frames just needed to be tack welded at the rear. For the tracks, I never found a second source for originals other than Pipers, so I don't think it's going to be easy to find good original tracks. Also note that '67 tracks & frames I believe are different from '66 tracks & frames.

Gary

[Willard M.]

Re: 66 Seat track

At Carlisle this year there was someone who was reproducing tracks and they were $260 per seat. After much looking I found an original set and paid $200 and was glad to pay that. I saw lots of seats with tracks but the tracks themselves seemed tough to find. My understanding is that 64,65, and 66 tracks are the same. 63 and 67 are each different.

[Gary B.]

66 Seat track

Williard,

I think you are correct that '63 and '67 are different from '64-'66.

Gary

[Ronald L.]

Re: 66 Seat track

I'd get original, I'll PM you a contact.

[Tim E.]

Re: 66 Seat track

I agree, stay original when possible. Mine were very rusty as well. I had to do the kind of tack welding that Gary mentioned and I also needed to weld in new hold down legs (the originals rusted completely away). The result was great.

Later, in preparation for a PV, I wanted to tighten up the slides so I bought new slide springs. The repros were skinny and smaller diameter but I installed them anyway. They were terrible....I reinstalled the originals and threw the repro junk springs away.

Stay original when possible! Tim

[Joe R.]

Re: 66 Seat track

Thank you to all who responed, this was very helpful. The rust on mine was fairly extensive (other 3 were fine) so I elected to replace vs repair. I was able to find an original with no rust, bead blasted and painted for $125. Given the advice here and the fact that the repro's are more than that, it was an obvious choice. Thanks again to everyone for your help and guidance.