The Ford Barn

TonyM · 07-22-2022, 10:26 PM

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and forced the pieces back to their home positions and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

petehoovie · 07-22-2022, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyM

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

51 MERC-CT · 07-23-2022, 05:15 AM

Lubrication,Lubrication,Lubrication to all locations that need it..

Terry,OH · 07-23-2022, 07:10 AM

There may have been a spring that helped operate the handle into the detentes.

1937sedandelivery · 07-23-2022, 09:55 AM

Here is a pic of the seat latching mechanism on my 37.

petehoovie · 07-23-2022, 11:37 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1937sedandelivery

Here is a pic of the seat latching mechanism on my 37.

TonyM · 07-23-2022, 05:45 PM

I clamped it like this and forced the pieces back to what I thought was the home position. It seemed to do the trick so I removed the clamp and re installed the seat. All good for a short drive. When I came home and backed into the garage, the seat let loose. Boy oh boy, but I was on it quick and disaster averted.

petehoovie · 07-23-2022, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyM

I clamped it like this and forced the pieces back to what I thought was the home position. It seemed to do the trick so I removed the clamp and re installed the seat. All good for a short drive. When I came home and backed into the garage, the seat let loose. Boy or boy, but I was on it quick and disaster averted.

TonyM · 07-23-2022, 11:20 PM

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and forced the pieces back to their home positions and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

slowforty · 07-24-2022, 11:44 AM

The Tang that locks the seat in place may have broken off, Luckily I found a replacement piece. You may just have to lock it in place or find someone to rebuild the part,

CHuDWah · 07-24-2022, 01:34 PM

I'd also suspect a broken spring - sometimes the break can't be readily seen without taking the mechanism apart. I imagine the spring is a fairly strong one. You might find a replacement at a hardware store, especially an old timey mom and pop shop rather than a big box chain. And yeah, lubricate all the moving parts.

V8COOPMAN · 07-24-2022, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

I'd also suspect a broken spring - sometimes the break can't be readily seen without taking the mechanism apart. I imagine the spring is a fairly strong one. You might find a replacement at a hardware store, especially an old timey mom and pop shop rather than a big box chain. And yeah, lubricate all the moving parts.

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

TonyM · 07-24-2022, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

Will do.

Thanks coop.

Graeme / New Zealand · 07-24-2022, 05:42 PM

That little spring on the seat lever looks much the same as an accelerator pedal firewall spring.

GB

TonyM · 08-02-2022, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforty

The Tang that locks the seat in place may have broken off, Luckily I found a replacement piece. You may just have to lock it in place or find someone to rebuild the part,

Yes, the tab or tang that locks the seat in place is very wore down and not square where it should be. The piece will have to be replaced. In the meantime, I will have to bolt the seat in place somehow (without damaging the original equipment).

TonyM · 08-02-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

Latching mechanism on left side only.

I have found that the tab that locks the seat in place is very wore down and not square where it should be. The piece will have to be replaced. In the meantime, I will have to bolt the seat in place somehow (without damaging the original equipment).

TonyM · 08-04-2022, 05:56 PM

The culprit is this worn tab on the seat handle locking mechanism.

Anybody got one laying around? LOL.

V8COOPMAN · 08-04-2022, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyM

The culprit is this worn tab on the seat handle locking mechanism.

Anybody got one laying around? LOL.

Tony....That piece could be bent-up and drilled out of a piece of strap in a half hour or less.

Coop

.

paul2748 · 08-04-2022, 07:10 PM

Is it weldable steel so you can build it up and reshape to original?

convert 40 · 08-04-2022, 09:25 PM

Weld it up file the shape you need & re-harden it.

Rick
Napa, Ca.

07-23-2022, 05:15 AM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Front seat won't lock in place Lubrication,Lubrication,Lubrication to all locations that need it.. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

07-23-2022, 07:10 AM	#4
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Front seat won't lock in place There may have been a spring that helped operate the handle into the detentes.

07-24-2022, 11:44 AM	#10
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	Re: Front seat won't lock in place The Tang that locks the seat in place may have broken off, Luckily I found a replacement piece. You may just have to lock it in place or find someone to rebuild the part,

07-24-2022, 01:34 PM	#11
CHuDWah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kritter Krick, Flaw-duh Posts: 1,158	Re: Front seat won't lock in place I'd also suspect a broken spring - sometimes the break can't be readily seen without taking the mechanism apart. I imagine the spring is a fairly strong one. You might find a replacement at a hardware store, especially an old timey mom and pop shop rather than a big box chain. And yeah, lubricate all the moving parts.

07-24-2022, 05:42 PM	#14
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: Front seat won't lock in place That little spring on the seat lever looks much the same as an accelerator pedal firewall spring. GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

08-04-2022, 07:10 PM	#19
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Front seat won't lock in place Is it weldable steel so you can build it up and reshape to original? __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

08-04-2022, 09:25 PM	#20
convert 40 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa, Ca. Posts: 29	Re: Front seat won't lock in place Weld it up file the shape you need & re-harden it. Rick Napa, Ca.