Author Topic: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?  (Read 7480 times)

Offline DKutz

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65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« on: May 27, 2015, 06:06:09 PM »
I have been perplexed by the fact that I cannot get my rear fold down seat to latch. Then I noticed walking around the car show today that most of the seats were not latched while open. So... Does your latch?.....
1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT

Offline jwc66k

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2015, 06:32:41 PM »
What year, and if a 66, what month?
I've have little problems with the half dozen 65-66 Fastbacks I've owned. Sometimes I wish mine wouldn't, it's a pain to unlatch it sometimes. There are "adjustments", the folding seat hinge goes up/down (shims) and back/forward for one (bolts under the fixed section). The latch itself (two different types in 66) has some minor play in it too.
Jim
I see yours is a early 65. There is a stop on the latch that may be the problem as well as the two brackets on the fixed section. Look at the latch with the seat "latched" and determine which direction the seat needs to move.
« Last Edit: May 27, 2015, 06:36:37 PM by jwc66k »
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2015, 10:21:02 PM »
.............. So... Does your latch?.....

Yes - currently two of them. In fact never had one that didn't = guessing that counts for maybe 20 of them over the years if we only look at 65-66. These were all original body cars, not reconstruction or repaired cars
Jeff Speegle

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Offline Brian Conway

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2015, 11:18:48 PM »
     As of right now it doesn't catch the seat opening so survey response is NO.  It really doesn't see much use as the seat is down most always.  Over the years the latch has had a variety of ailments but with a little fiddeling around can be made to perform correctly.  Brian
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Offline Shasmu

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2015, 12:00:58 AM »
 
 Yep.
Shasta Mustang Supply
Redding, Ca

Offline DKutz

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2015, 12:39:34 AM »
What year, and if a 66, what month?
I've have little problems with the half dozen 65-66 Fastbacks I've owned. Sometimes I wish mine wouldn't, it's a pain to unlatch it sometimes. There are "adjustments", the folding seat hinge goes up/down (shims) and back/forward for one (bolts under the fixed section). The latch itself (two different types in 66) has some minor play in it too.
Jim
I see yours is a early 65. There is a stop on the latch that may be the problem as well as the two brackets on the fixed section. Look at the latch with the seat "latched" and determine which direction the seat needs to move.

I have pictures somewhere.  It's pretty far off...
1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT

Offline DKutz

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2015, 12:55:23 AM »
Here ya go

1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT

Offline jwc66k

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2015, 01:51:09 AM »
Does the bumper on the curved section hit the bracket on the fixed panel? With the shiny chrome trim and new screws, did you remove the seat and replace those items? Try the hinge adjustments hidden by the fixed panel. The latch itself almost looks like it's located too far to the rear and your latch "bolt" looks to be sticking out too far, as in drill and tap new holes to the front and outward. You also seem to be missing the latch cover piece. The screws that hold the cover in place stripped out the holes in the fiberglass on one of my cars. It's an easy fix as the cover "covers" filler in the holes.
Jim
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Offline DKutz

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2015, 10:05:30 AM »
Yes all new fold down chrome trim.  Spacers put back in same location and quantity as before. Mom course it didn't latch before either.  I have both the cover for the fiberglass side and the striker for the seat side.  Actually the cover is on now.
1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT

Offline 1966GTFB

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2015, 12:24:39 PM »
It sure does.
SJ Build Date: 9/17
'66 Fstbk: 63A X 26 17J

Offline DKutz

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2015, 02:13:12 PM »
are there any adjustments to this I can make before I drill more holes?  The "fixed panel is pushed all the way back, and the spacers are in place.  Should I take spacers out?  I wouldn't care but I take my kids to the car shows in the back seat, and I don't want them to get squashed if I stop hard...
1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2015, 04:07:12 PM »
Just a thought -

Are your rear bumpers (on the L shaped at the contact point with the rear carpeted section - the pockets) adjusted too high keeping the seat panel from reclining enough to engage?

I'ld screw them all the way in or remove them to test fit and see if it changes everything. Worth a try IMHO
Jeff Speegle

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Offline jwc66k

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2015, 07:26:14 PM »
Just a thought -

Are your rear bumpers (on the L shaped at the contact point with the rear carpeted section - the pockets) adjusted too high keeping the seat panel from reclining enough to engage?

I'ld screw them all the way in or remove them to test fit and see if it changes everything. Worth a try IMHO
It's Oct 64, a 65 Mustang. They used brackets (just a reminder -  ;)), but it's still a point to consider.
Jim
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Offline ChrisV289

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #13 on: May 28, 2015, 08:39:10 PM »
Can you show a picture where the bumpers contact the support brackets in the back?  If it is early it will have the simple round bumpers that are the philips head into the chrome.  According to your sig your car was built about 3 weeks before mine and should look like:


« Last Edit: May 28, 2015, 09:09:07 PM by ChrisV289 »
Chris
1965 Honey Gold Fastback (SJ 10/29/64)
1965 Caspian Blue Fastback (SJ 06/03/65)
2009 V6 Mustang Coupe

Offline DKutz

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Re: 65-66 Fastback Rear Fold down Seat Latch Poll?
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2015, 09:19:15 PM »
Not the greatest but

1965 Mustang Fastback 'A' Code, silver Blue Met, Med blue int. Auto, San Jose, 10/8/64 #1449**

Gone but not forgotten - 1996 Mustang GT