[rickabt@bellsou]

I am restoring a 66 and when I removed the front seats I noticed a couple bolts had no nuts on them. When I looked closer they were stripped along a portion of the threads where it rubbed up and down. I bought 2 new square head bolts to replace and tried to hammer them out but no go. How do I replace them? If I cannot I will be forced to add spacers or washers to space the nut back enuff to grab the beginning threads, if you can understand what I mean. This is alot more work than what I had originally imagined but I am lucky on the floorboards and structure of the car. It has been quite a journey. Pony interior goes back in this week. FUN!

Thanks to all of you for even reading this post even if you don't have an answer.
Rick

 

[Lizer]

If you're restoring a car you need a tap and die set. Even the $60 or $70 set from Harbor Freight works well and has saved my ass countless times.

If you run a die over the threads you can probably re-cut or restore them. I imagine they are 5/16-18, as most of the bolts are on these cars.

 

[rickabt@bellsou]

Thanks, That may be a viable option, but they sell new square head bolts so there must be a way to replace them. Are they pressed in or are they welded in? is what I am asking..I guess. And if so, is there a way a backyard mechaninc can get them out and the new ones in?

 

[sporty12]

Saw the bolts off and drill them out. A drill press would be nice.

 

[rex1965]

The bolts have a square shank right below the head, this is swagged when installed, and makes an extremely tight fit, if the tap and die does not work, then cut the threads off the bolt, take the track off the seat and support the track near the bolt head, and use a round flat punch and hammer to drive it out. Good Luck.

 

[rickabt@bellsou]

Thanks Sporty12! your method won the big contest! Actually, I decided on t6he big spacer with a nut that would grab the first threads but when torquing the bolt down it broke. So I decided to try your idea and drilled out the old bolt. It smoked a lot but it finally popped out and I popped the new one in. Thanks, I'll sleep better knowing all 8 bolts are legit on the 2 front seats.

 

[TerryFord]

I am restoring a 66 and when I removed the front seats I noticed a couple bolts had no nuts on them. When I looked closer they were stripped along a portion of the threads where it rubbed up and down. I bought 2 new square head bolts to replace and tried to hammer them out but no go. How do I replace them? If I cannot I will be forced to add spacers or washers to space the nut back enuff to grab the beginning threads, if you can understand what I mean. This is alot more work than what I had originally imagined but I am lucky on the floorboards and structure of the car. It has been quite a journey. Pony interior goes back in this week. FUN!

Thanks to all of you for even reading this post even if you don't have an answer.
Rick

Rick
Where did you get your square bolts? I'm restoring a 66 Mustang and after getting the seats put back together I noticed that one of the bolts that attach the seat to the car was broken off. I haven't been able to locate a replacement for the bolt yet.

The floor of that side of the car was rusted through and at the time I was more worried about getting floor back than the shape of the bolts on the seat. Any help would be great!

 

[Ivy66GT]

Hello Theresa,

Welcome to AFM.

I doubt you will hear from Rick. Check his profile: Last Activity: 03-11-2013


However, I think these are what you want:

65-70 SEAT TRACK STUDS-SET OF 2

 

[1965stang]

CJ's sells them as well...that's where I got mine from.

 

[Ivy66GT]

Their search is harder to use and once I did find them, they are $8 instead of $4. Probably any of the major parts sellers have them. Search for 'seat bolt'. NPD does not seem to sell them except with the whole track assembly at nearly $80 per seat.

I used the VCM link since it was the first place I looked and they had the correct part.

 

[Lizer]

I searched "65 seat track bolt" and it was the fourth or fifth item. Doesn't seen too hard to me...


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