Seat Mounting Issue

[aj81spider]

I have started putting the interior back into the car (it is perilously close to being able to drive it!) and I've run into a problem.

My driver side floor was rotted out between the seat mount and the door jamb. When I had the car repainted I had him cut out the bad metal and weld in a new section. Apparently in doing that he moved the back end of the seat mount by about a half inch. I can get 3 of the 4 bolts in, but as you can see from the picture the fourth bolt is offset by about a half to 3/4 of an inch.



I'm thinking I need to cut out the old mounting hole and weld in a metal extension with a new mounting hole. However, before I resort to what I consider major surgery (I know that compared to what many are doing on active threads it's nothing...) I'm interested if there are any other ideas for securing the last corner of the seat.

Thanks for any ideas you can come up with.

[RRoller123]

I wonder if it is possible that by enlarging the other three mounting holes, you could twist it slightly to get it into position? It might slightly cock the seat at a shallow angle, but could that work?

[focodave]

Before anyone starts hating on me, I need to say that what I suggest, below, is NOT what I think is a great idea, but it is an idea nonetheless.
I would never do this to my car, but it is an idea to get this guy going until the day he gets it fixed properly -- and it does not involve a welder.
What if you simply cut a piece of flat iron (at least 1/8" thick -- no less) and drill 2 holes in it. Attach it the way I have illustrated below. Use the original seat rail bolt in the original location inboard, and use a thru-bolt with a nut and lock washer in the outboard hole:

[81SPIDERMATT]

i like focodaves idea ... if you have the room to do that ..... fixing it right is the way to go for most ... if it were mine and i was " perilously close to being able to drive it" i would look under the car in that spot and make sure i am not hitting anything and drill a hole right thru the car out the bottom nut and bolt and some goop to make it water tight and go ....

there you go dave ... now they can hate on me

[Exit98]

I''m with Dave. That'll work and your good to go.

[aj81spider]

Thanks for the inputs. I'll look and see if Dave's solution will work - however I think the hole overlaps the hump so it will be difficult to get a bolt through. I'll spend some time on it this weekend and let you know what comes of it. The first thing I'm going to try is Pete's idea of loosening the other three bolts and see if I can get enough movement to line things up (I'm not hopeful - things never go that easy for me!).

I appreciate the ideas.

In the worst case I guess I have some welding to get done.

[fredguaz]

AJ,
Prob what you don't want to hear but it should go back to the person who welded your floor. He messed up. Let him fix it.

[azruss]

have you put a tape measure on it yet to see if the distance apart matches the other side of the car. I cant imagine the welder not puting a tape on that. As others have said, loosen up the other three and wiggle it around. Also check to make sure you dont have adjustment on the seat.

[81SPIDERMATT]

Also check to make sure you dont have adjustment on the seat.

that is a great idea.... don't know what the underneath of the seat looks like but that could be a great answer to your problem ...

and don't drill a hole thru the car (that was a joke)

[aj81spider]

Thanks for the additional ideas. I really don't want to take it back to the guy that welded it originally for a couple of reasons. He was the guy who painted the car, and the welding job was not that good (besides this problem).

I'll pull the seat out and measure everything this weekend. I'm glad I posted and got some additional things to look at.

[aj81spider]

Some good news (and thanks to Pete for the idea). I loosened the other three bolts, pushed the seat a little and got the bolt to thread. Seat is in!

Went for the inaugural drive today - ran pretty well. Lots more to do, but I'm at drive and fix status now!

[RRoller123]

Yeah!