1941 60 Special seat adjuster

[60 Special]

When I bought my car it didn't have a  seat adjustment handle. I recently bought a very nice one from Brad Ipsen. When I installed it I found out I have a problem behind the upholstery on the outside of the seat frame. It appears feeling through the material, that there is a 2"X4" plate that moves around when I push on the lever, rather than the lever actuating the seat mechanism. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I also am looking for ideas on how to fix this issue. Thank you!

[Steve Passmore]

You will have to remove the seat to see whats going on under there. With the handle removed take out the base cushion. Now undo the 3 or 4 bolts holding the seat base frame down to the runners. With these out you will need to lift and move the frame towards drivers side to clear the handle spindle. This is all presuming the Special has the same seat as the other series?

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

I don't remember exactly how this all goes together but (Steve) the bottom cushion on a 40-60S does not come out.  The upholstery is nailed to the wood frame of the total seat.  I think you can repair the seat adjuster by removing the entire seat from the car and turning it upside down and then work on the linkage but I am not sure.  If you are missing some parts or need something beyond the chrome handle I may have it.

[Steve Passmore]

I don't remember exactly how this all goes together but (Steve) the bottom cushion on a 40-60S does not come out.  The upholstery is nailed to the wood frame of the total seat.  I think you can repair the seat adjuster by removing the entire seat from the car and turning it upside down and then work on the linkage but I am not sure.  If you are missing some parts or need something beyond the chrome handle I may have it.
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That's what I was afraid of Brad   So how does one get at the runner bolts to remove the whole thing?

[TonyZappone #2624]

The seat came out on my 4160S.  I remember specifically working on the underseat heaters.

[60 Special]

Yes, Tony is correct! I can remove the seat bottom and the under seat heaters are clearly visible after removal. I was able to lift up on the metal piece that engages the "notches" for the different seat positions and move the seat forwards & backwards. I cannot see much of the mechanism on the inboard side with the cushion removed. I believe the 2"X4" piece that I can feel under the upholstery on the outside, near where the lever attaches must be some kind of guide that the spindle goes through to keep it in position. It almost feels like it may have been spot welded to the outside of the seat frame and broke loose. Problem is its under the upholstery. Thanks!

[Steve Passmore]

Yes, Tony is correct! I can remove the seat bottom and the under seat heaters are clearly visible after removal. I was able to lift up on the metal piece that engages the "notches" for the different seat positions and move the seat forwards & backwards. I cannot see much of the mechanism on the inboard side with the cushion removed. I believe the 2"X4" piece that I can feel under the upholstery on the outside, near where the lever attaches must be some kind of guide that the spindle goes through to keep it in position. It almost feels like it may have been spot welded to the outside of the seat frame and broke loose. Problem is its under the upholstery. Thanks!

Ah, so the seat cushion does come out separately? then you should see the bolts holding the seat to the floor? You might then try  'Pop rivets' to re-fix?

[Paul Phillips]

On a 41 60S there is a guide channel about 6-8" long on each side toward the back and at the front there is a rod about 1/2" diameter with a sprocket on each end that engages a track under the seat frame - this front arrangement makes sure the seat moves the same on both sides.  The lever moves a locking pawl up from a toothed plate and allows the seat to move. A spring should be on each side underneath that helps pull the the seat forward.

To remove the front seat, there is a retainer plate on each side at the front that is fastened down to the floor - 1 or 2 screws per side. Take those out to let the front lift off the sprockets and the seat slides forward out of the rear guide channels. It is easier with both cushions removed, due to weight of the assembly.

I probably have pictures of this but I am away w/o access this weekend. Let me know if you need those.

Hope this helps

Paul

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Sorry for the mix up of 40 and 41.  I wasn't paying attention to the title and thinking 40 adjuster handle which is the same between 40 and 41.  40 seat is one piece and 41 is built entirely differently.

[Paul Phillips]

I found a couple pix on my phone, as below.

[Steve Passmore]

That's very interesting. Pauls picture shows they used the same arrangement that was used in previous years on the wooden construction seats. That adjuster is the same as my 37 and was the same on my 37 and 38 Buicks until the all steel seats came in.

[55Fleetwood]

Paul, I sent you an email hoping you may can give some advise on my 41 60 special seat removal. thanks, Rick