With Hochtkis springs , Swaybars , and Bilstien shocks , My '68 Cutlass rides and drives very sport car like . Far removed from the 60/70s soft slushy ride . And I like it !
But as goes modifications , one thing leads to something else , And now my seat , while suitable for a soft riding car , is very springy .
So I need advise on how to stiffen the seat to be more compatible with the cars ride .
This bench seat is in very good condition as the car has been garaged most of its life , and and very low milage .
I really don't want to switch out seats , although buckets would be nice .
Is there a way to bolster , or rebuild the seat to be less springy ?

 

sounds like you need new and maybe firmer foam in the seat. After 15 years, even the best foam breaks down.

 

15 years? That seat is pushing 44 years. Who wouldn't start to be sagging at that age?? If the seat cover is good, I'm with Rob. But if you're going to redo the seat you might as well do the whole shebang and also put in new burlap, clean and paint the frame/springs etc.

 

Right - the stock foam quality probably lost its firmness after 8 years or so, depending on how long it was sat on over the years.

I just refoamed my couch and chair cushions - they were 15 years old. Huge difference going back to new-like firmness. I am not sitting right on the springs anymore!

Frank, let me interest you in one of these before you take Allan's advice...
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post357186

 

No Frank, Don't lissen to him - he's just trying to keep you from doing a good thorough job. You won't be swayed by MAW tendencies if you learn to use the force!!!

I know how this stuff works, Master Rob Kenobi ^^^^ was the one who swayed me to the dark side and coerced me into a front end rebuild.

Trust me - this is something you will find incredible pleasure doing and you'll learn some new vocabulary. And going that 'one extra step' just makes it all worth while when you're done. Maybe not everyone can see what you've accomplished but you will know....

Post pics of your progress on this project....

 

So .... I should do a frame off with a funny hat on to firm up a bench seat with 37K miles of my Grandmothers 98lb but sitting on it ?
Come on ....

seriously though , the foam may be weakened by age , but its only what ? 2" thick over 5 acres of springs . Will just new foam give a more modern seat feel?
Do you have a suggestion as to foam density . or a supplier ?

And there is no sag in this seat at all . Its comfortable to sit on . just bounces uncontrollably when the roads get rough .

 

Do what I did with my couch - cut a piece of 1/8 inch plywood, and put it under the first layer, under the foam!
Worked real well!

 

No - the helmet prevents you from doing a frame-off due to bad seat foam, no matter how many people try to talk you into it!

I just learned a lot about the science of foam when i redid my couch cushions...

Once you have the seat opened up and know the size you need, you will be able to have it replicated by the Foam Factory http://www.foambymail.com/ for a great price.

This shape is about right for the bottom of a bench-
http://www.foambymail.com/Merchant2/...=19&shape_id=1

The denser, longer lasting "high quality" foam would be my choice (with dacron wrap). A price of around 40 bucks is very appealing... I think the bench needs 2" thick (or so) foam.

There are two firmness levels available (38lb and 55lb).

From the Foam Factory web site:
"Firmness is measured by Indentation Load Deflection, or ILD. This is done by taking a cut of foam no smaller than 24" x 24" x 4" and compressing it 1 inch, a 25 percent compression test, with a 50 square inch (8"dia) circular foot , measuring in pounds the force needed to compress the foam. The force needed is stated in a number reflecting the number of pounds needed to compress the foam 1 inch. The greater the number, the firmer the foam and the lower the number, the softer the foam."

To choose the right one, you have to factor in your weight. If under 180lbs, the 38lb would probably work well. I think many new cars are fitted with 55lb foam, as they seem too firm and thus uncomfortable.

 

Don't know if you've ever done a seat before, but I'd be worried about stretching 44 yr. old seat covers over thicker foam.
I've done a few, with and without new foam, and neither is easy, as it seems the covers must be stretched to look right.
Have you seen the commercial that has 'plastic slats' - they work!
Auto seats aren't like your couch - can't be tightened up with string + knots pulling everything tighter!
And it's pretty hard to get everything smooth on a bench seat - long panels.
As I said earlier, 3pcs. of 1/8 plywood, cut maybe 4" wide x the length of the seat, between the springs and foam should work real well.
Maybe 2 equal pieces would be more comfortable in a car!
Saved my back on a couch I had!

 

I would not use anything thicker than what the factory used.
New foam will just be more firm.
As foam breaks gown over the years from age, heat, cold, and pressure, it gets softer. After all it is just a soft plastic material...

Once the seat cover is removed, an accurate size can be had.
And yes, a new burlap covering of the springs will be required.

My couch did not have any strings to pull - just 3 huge fabric zipper bags that the foams went into. Not easy but not difficult to stuff. Car seat will be more difficult for sure. Might take some extra hands and maybe some thick plastic sheets to make things slide more easily. At the end, the plastic will be pulled out. I let a shop do my seats as I did not think i could easily do them.

 

All, I used high quality Boat Foam for my cutlass bench seat. Please keep in mind that boat foam is made to get wet, and not mold. Sure it's not OEM. But i now live in Happiness knowing that my seats will stay lemony fresh for years to come.

And besides, the only person that would look under your seat (or air cleaner for a green OEM air sensor) is Rob

 

Although, i'll be honest, i do everything myself, and seat covers is A HELL OF A JOB.

If you dont wanna rip the current OEM seat covers, or in fact if you dont feel like going through the pain and suffering of cutting off old hog rings and hoping not to break/rip something.

I would probably just get a piece of high density foam, get some matching Vinyl at a fabric store and sew yourself a nice seat cushion. Some assembly required..

 

If the seat is springy, it's probably the springs. Foam is only going to give you more cushion and a little softer feel on your @ss. I've never tried it but I'm sure you could "sister" seat springs to the existing ones. You MAY even be able to do it from underneath without removing the seat covers. The tough part is going to be attaching to the frame, which you would need to do to get the springs to work properly.

I also used boat seat foam although I only spray glued 1/2" foam on top of my existing foam where it was worn. It made my seats a little fluffier

 

Well, maybe... There is a possiblility there is a broke side spring, but that is usually pretty noticable.
If the foam is too soft, like after 40 years of aging, your butt will be putting pressure on a much smaller area of the springs. A dense new foam slab will (and is supposed to) distribute your weight over a larger area of the springs.
When i got Lady, the seat foam was not only super soft and deteriorated, but the burlap between the foam and springs was rotted to nothing. Therefore the foam pressed on and was cut through by the springs. I was almost on the floor by then and it was very springy.
After getting the seat restored, it feels good and only springs a little over dips and such (like it was designed to do). The foam acts like a shock absorber.

So now your car should float! ...........................Like a boat!

Yep - I will be looking, but not smelling....

 

Good info guys! I can hardly wait to do mine now. Unfortunately they won't smell lemony fresh. My A52 will be replaced with an A65 center bench seat. Right now the A52 has reasonable lower support, but the upper support is weak and I can feel the springs there.

I haven't experienced the 'bouncy' seat on rough roads. My suspension soaks it up really nicely. And no squeaky noises come from the seat when I hit a big hoop de doo! There's another foam supplier I saw recently that has the right foam already custom cut in the right density. When I find it, I'll post it for you.

Thx for all the great tips so far. However, I'm afraid that I won't be needing a MAW helmet for my seats- they are destined for a 'complete overhaul' and installation of power tracks.

How are your sales doing so far Rob??

 

Hey Allan,

Are you going to be doing them yourself or using an upholstery place?

PA has the hog ring pliers and rings, I think it cost 20 shipped to my front door.

Both you and rob did a sweet job on your suspensions so I am in full confidence that you can rock a seat cover too.

On a side note, I saw some place called LTD fiberglass on evil bay has OAI hoods in stock. 550 plus the ride. I might email for a shipping quote to NY state out of curiosity, can't really argue for 550 bucks. Ill hopefully make a decision before the spring... My hood right now looks horrible.

 

I hate to say this, but there is not much you are going to be able to do to make the bench seat better.

Honestly- the fact that yours -IS- springy means that its not worn out. A worn out bench sits low and has NO spring to it.

The way the old seats were designed, the padding does little to nothing as far as support- the springs have all the give.

In newer cars- the springs have NO give- they are there simply to support the foam, and the foam used is much firmer & thicker. This is why they don't bounce the way old ones do.

If you want to firm up a factory 60's seat- you need to either compress or remove the front line of compresson springs. Once they are compressed (or gone) the seat will be firm.

This could be done by adding extra layers of HD firm foam to the stock seat to compress them, or it could be done by buying a block of HD firm foam (or several layers glued together) and shaping it, then removing & remaking the spring assembly for the seat.

Rebuilding your seat to stock specs, even with new foam & burlap likely won't fix your bouncy seat. It will however fix the guys who have NO spring in their seats. :-)

 

Tony,
Hey man, good to hear from you!
I originally was going to get Ben (see below) to do them, but he doesn't have a commercial sewing machine.

Here's the plan:
I will strip the A65 power seat myself and recondition the frame and any springs if necessary. I'll get the foam from the place Ben suggested to me. Seriously guys, take a look at his website - he does good work.

I have no choice but get the front seat done custom if I put in the A65 with the 'S' pattern though. So they will probably cost a bit. I'll put the covers on myself though. Will also do the rear seats at the same time - probably from Legendary. I'll start a thread on this for my car.

Start a new thread with the OAI. We can talk on it there instead of jacking this thread, ok?

Ben! thx for the great tips. Can you post that website that has the seat foam?

 

RAMBOW , I think your on it !
I've repaired many seats in various cars . I was a dealership mechanic , and took all the jobs no one else wanted . And in repairing them I've found the same in older seats , thin soft foam over springs without much structure . While newer seats have thick , firm foam , over a pan , with a small opening in the middle , with ether springs or straps across the opening .
My thought was to fill under the springs with a dense foam then support that with a web of straps .
This will be a warm weather project so I can get the vinyl as warm as possible to keep from damaging it .
Just looking for someone else who's tried something like this .

 

Frank3
If you want to wait till summer that's when I'm going to try doing mine. We could compare notes. Where are you located? Sounds like somewhere in the cold zone?

Just be glad its not Cordova Alaska!

 

If you want to try a cheap easy fix, get some edgewire and hogrings. Take the seat out, flip it over. Insert the edgewire across the seat between the spings and burlap/foam. You can do this with several pieces every 2-3". Bend the ends over the farthest outside spring to hold it in place and prevent it from poking thruogh. Tie into the existing springs across the seat with hogrings or clips.

 

Allen R
I'm in Virginia , not really in a cold zone , more of a cool zone , almost 70* today , will be in the 40s tomorrow . I'm not in a big hurry , as i don't drive it allot . I'll try several things and post what i think works .

garys68
I might try that . sounds none invasive , and quickly reversible if not what I'm looking for .
I'm thinking it will be a combination of things

 

You might try these guys for supplies
http://www.wsusol.com/p-1460-spring-...inch-1-pc.aspx