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Topic: Taking seats out

in Forum: C3 Interior

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Taking seats out (1/9)
8/13/15 9:58am

1980stroked
Former Member
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Midland, VI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 automatic with 383 stroker motor and. 78,000 on vehicle. Motor and trans new

Joined: 8/12/2015
Posts: 5

Hello everyone, I am partially restoring a 1980. I am in the process of doing the interior. Want to put in new carpet. Took seat cushions out but 4) 9/16 bolts holding each seat bottom to floor wont budge. Tried spray lubricator and let sit overnight. Still won't break free. Any tips? Frank

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Re: Taking seats out (2/9)
8/13/15 1:16pm

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

I've never tried this stuff, but since you can't really use a torch in this situation maybe some Loctite Freeze and Release may work. You should be able to get this product at one of your local auto parts stores.

Click on link: http://www.henkelna.com/industrial/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8797940809729

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

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Re: Taking seats out (3/9)
8/13/15 1:56pm

dads2vette

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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior

Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1053

I've had great success with Kroil if Pb blaster didn't work.

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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.

In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"

Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.

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Re: Taking seats out (4/9)
8/14/15 6:12am

Jeffm
Former Member
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.

Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

I reached under my '78 and can feel where the bolts come through. Did you try spraying them from the underside? Looks like enough thread showing to get all rusted and bound up. Passenger side has the cat shield but should be able to get at them.

Welcome to C3VR, Frank. Lots of good info to be found here.

|UPDATED|8/14/2015 3:12:49 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Taking seats out (5/9)
8/14/15 9:18am

cinor

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1

Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414

Crap rusted in that bad does not sound good. Don't look to hard when you get them out or it could end up in pieces like mine.
Welcome to a great forum maybe we will see you at one of the C3 gatherings Hug

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Re: Taking seats out (6/9)
10/23/15 10:12am

jim in oregon
Former Member
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Milwaukie, OR - USA

Vette(s):
'78 Silver Anniversary T Top coupe,58k orig miles. THM350 auto, 350 L48, JBM headers,Oyster White interior,.as of Nov '15 in process of painting.

Joined: 10/19/2015
Posts: 71

I assume the carpeting on the floor is going to come out..

Cut the carpeting around the bolt heads and remove it..

Then spray all around the bolt heads with the pb blaster again liberally..

Allow to penetrate( again) for an hour or so.

Put a box end wrench on the bolt head...Exert some med pressure as if to loosen while you rap the bolt top-wrench with a small hammer..several times.

Then put the socket wrench on an see IF they will loosen..

NOTE:

ONCE they DO start to come loose a BIT, STOP and spray some MORE PB Blaster on the now exposed bolt threads below the bolt head.

Take your time and be patient..Bolts have been in there 35 years and they sorta got used to being there..:)

Even with the age and mlileage of your car, old bolts that enter old steel captive nuts can be frozen up a bit.

They'll come out..just gotta think and be patient..Jim

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Re: Taking seats out (7/9)
10/23/15 5:46pm

Norsky

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

Two tips from "Zen Master Ken" (kstyer) that I have found to work well on rusty bolts/nuts --

1 - GM has a product that used to be named "Heat Riser Lubricant" (or something like that) and it should be available at any GM parts department. I'll get a can from the garage tonight and post the actual name and GM part number. Anyway, it is hands down the best penetrant I have ever used.

2 - as strange as this may sound, instead of first trying to loosen the bolt/nut - put pressure on to tighten the bolt/nut. If you can get it to move, even a little bit, that breaks the rust bond that has formed. Then lube the heck out of it again before trying to loosen.

As mentioned prior spray not only the top side of the bolts but also spray the underside. Getting the juice to soak into the threads from both directions will help.

*** Update ***

Here ya go:

GM Vehicle Care
Rust Penetrant and Inhibitor (Heat Valve Lubricant)
Part# 88862627
10.8 Oz spray can

The local Chevy Stealership keeps it in stock as several surrounding city maintenance shops use a lot of it.

|UPDATED|10/23/2015 2:46:52 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Jim Olson

"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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Re: Taking seats out (8/9)
10/24/15 9:25am

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

First time I took mine out they were stuck also, I sprayed them let sit overnight and used my impact wrench on them, work well.

Good luck,

Dave

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

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Re: Taking seats out (9/9)
10/24/15 11:33am

Norsky, Thanks for the info on the GM lubricant-penetrant..I made a note and will give it a try IF I can find it out here..

Always something that needs freed up and/or lubed up..:)Jim

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