1969 Deville Convertible rear seat back bolts

[David P. Barter]

Can anyone tell me what the bolts are that hold the seat back in on 1969 Cadillac Deville convertible. When I removed the seats to replace the top mechanism and top, the seat back was bolts in with single wood lag instead of the factory bolts. I would like to put back the correct bolts but obviously I have nothing to reference it against. Fisher Body manual just calls them bolts not size, thread or anything. Any help would be appreciated.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day David,

Sorry I cannot assist in the actual size, but I would have thought in 1969, with Seat Belts as standard, the rear seat back would have been retained by the Seat Belt Bolts at the outer point.

Do you have a picture of the area?

Where the Seat Belt Bolt isn't used, I have seen self-tapping bolts screwed directly into the sheet metal.   These have a 3/8" or 7/16" head, and a large flat washer to stop the bolt from slipping between the seat wire.

Bruce.

[Scot Minesinger]

I have a 1970 Cadillac convertible with those two bolts you asked about.  What happens is the original bolts often get stripped (the sheet metal that it screws into) and larger bolts are required.  On your car they used wood lag screws.  The originals are not much different really.  The originals are about a # 10 or # 12 with 3/8" (or 7/16") bolt head and a 1.5" washer that can't be removed.  Unless you can repair the sheet metal, you will need to use larger screws - non original.  Since the screws are completely hidden best to have a screw that holds the seat down real good so it does not rattle than the original correct screw.  On my car one screw is original the other a larger size threaded screw.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I know that not many people do this, but when you reinstall the screws, put a bit of sealer around the thread to seal out the outside moisture from getting in.

Bruce.

[76eldo]

I agree with the posts above.

I had a rear quarter window off the track on my 70 DeVille.  It's a low mile original and i don't think the seat was ever taken out.

The seat back had (can't remember exactly) either Phillips or hex head bolts with large washers and they were self tapping screws going through the body.  The seat belts are bolted through the floor and stay there with the full seat bottom and back removed.

Any long screw of similar size and washer will do, and they are covered up and not seen.

My car had a build sheet under there too.

Brian

[David P. Barter]

Thanks Everyone. This is just the info I was looking for and appreciate all the feedback. You guys are great!