Is there an easy way to adjust the seat back angle on 2nd gen buckets?

[SP Steve]

The seats in my 71 Formula lean too far back, is there an easy way to get the seat back to be more vertical without shimming the rear two seat to floor bolts?

[FormTA]

I've hear of folks putting a repair bushing for a Ford door latch on the seat stop to help bring the dead back more upright.

[Fbird]

NO.....
with that said ...I have adjusted mine by making a "new" XXXX size bolt that screws into the lower seat frame....allowing the upper frame to "rest" on it to get the angle I like..

[roadking77]

Steve, have you checked the 'stop' bolts? they may be bent as well and need replacing.

[SP Steve]

Steve, have you checked the 'stop' bolts? they may be bent as well and need replacing.

I have not checked stop bolts for being bent. Maybe it's just me, but the seat leans back at an uncomfortable angle.

[SP Steve]

NO.....
with that said ...I have adjusted mine by making a "new" XXXX size bolt that screws into the lower seat frame....allowing the upper frame to "rest" on it to get the angle I like..

Can you share some pics so I can get a better idea of what you've done?

[SP Steve]

I've hear of folks putting a repair bushing for a Ford door latch on the seat stop to help bring the dead back more upright.

The seat "fork" fits over the bushing ok or does it need to be opened up for the additional diameter?

[SP Steve]

Has anyone drilled and tapped new holes for the stop bolts?

[roadking77]

No, but I recall its a pretty beefy piece of steel, I would think that would work too.

[Fbird]

as a 25+ yr Tool & Die maker....i've made many wierd offset fixes thru the yrs.... do not even recall what original bird seats look like anymore...

[SP Steve]

I think I'll remove one of the stop bolts and see if my hardware store has a sleeve that will fit over the bolt. My concern with that approach is will the seat latch still work without grinding the catch opening larger?  I'll see what I can find?

[SP Steve]

Here's what I've done.  I bought several bushings at my hardware store, I used the two with the yellow arrows.  I tapped the smaller bushing inside the larger bushing with a hammer then cut the pieces with a hacksaw.  I then used a little JB Weld to glue the bushings in place.  The seating position is vastly improved!!!  Obviously the latch no longer works.  I'm going to drive the car like this for a while and see how I like it, I can't imagine I'd rather have it the old way.

[Maxthe222]

Well, that looks like it works well! Not to mention cheap and simple! So I think you answered your own question there! I'm going to have to try this on my '79, the seats are a bit too comfy on mine, also my posture probably could use some improvement!

[SP Steve]

Well, that looks like it works well! Not to mention cheap and simple! So I think you answered your own question there! I'm going to have to try this on my '79, the seats are a bit too comfy on mine, also my posture probably could use some improvement!

Yes, that's less than $4 in bushings for the ones I used.  And as far as the latch, I'm not worried about it. I had a 65 Olds 442 and it didn't have seat latches (I don't think).

[Jack]

How much of an angel did you gain? I send with about 1" of bushings under the rear seat feet it worked great.

[SP Steve]

How much of an angel did you gain? I send with about 1" of bushings under the rear seat feet it worked great.

I don't know, 10 or 15 degrees?  It's noticeable. 

[FormTA]

That's the mod I was talking about, where folks used a repair bushing for a Ford rear hatch latch (or something from a Ford).

[SP Steve]

That's the mod I was talking about, where folks used a repair bushing for a Ford rear hatch latch (or something from a Ford).

Yes, I got the idea from you. It's a cheap way to change the seat back angle and it works other than the latch. The best way would probably be to drill and tap new holes for the stop bolt, but that would be a PIA.

[roadking77]

I like that. Other than for safety reasons (sudden stop) I dont see why you need a seat latch.

[SP Steve]

I like that. Other than for safety reasons (sudden stop) I dont see why you need a seat latch.

That's what I figure, plus with just a lap belt the car is inherently unsafe anyway compared to a new car. Haha

[roadking77]

Yea, you hit the nail on the head. A couple of weeks ago my grandson and I went on our weekly trip in the T/A. He asked where the air bags were? LOL

[FormTA]

You tell him we used arms back then. I remember my dad stopping us with his arm in our 68 Camaro.

[Wallington]

I've hear of folks putting a repair bushing for a Ford door latch on the seat stop to help bring the dead back more upright.

That's to replace the factory seat bushes that are often missing after 40+ years. It can help to adjust a seat twist, it doesn't change the seat angle beyond standard when new.

https://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=45979.0

A bit of fiddling around but if seats are somewhat dismantled, a custom longer reach locking handle could be made that matches the revised bush diameter, swap over rather than trying to grind a further chunk out of existing arm. I tried a basic mod many years ago just for an idea but never went any further. Using rubber hose at time for ease of testing, I'd slip it over the stud similar to larger bush. I also had a damaged anchor stud that I ground a slot into below the flanged head, rather than machining on a lathe, but allowed the locking arm to drop into position when seat raised. But it was closer to 5 degrees and not worth the effort.