More BE seat questions

[smaceng]

So, I am trying to understand the seats for my Bugeye. I thought it would be easy, since there are really only three main parts per seat. First question, are the seat stops at the rear of the seat bottom frame all up, all down, or a combination?

 

[smaceng]

Do I have the correct seat pan? Note that it is offset. The fabric and the foam appear to be symetrical. Also, what keeps the lower seat from sliding forward? If I have the correct seat pan, which side does the cut out go?

 

[smaceng]

Here is a seat pan from someone who said they had a bugeye. Is this the correct one. Note: no grill underneath.
Confused in CA

 

[Dug]

Scott,
Yours sure looks like a 100-4 seat pan. The rusted one is correct for a sprite.
The mesh and angled side look like early big Healey to me.

Dug

 

[Brian_James]

My bugeye has mesh, but the asymmetrical pan is not from a Bugeye. My understanding is the tabs at the back of the seat frame run horizontal, and hold the rear of the seat pan down. They either push in against or pierce upholstery just above the back of the seat pan.

Brian

 

[jlaird]

Yes to the above. Pans may also have what looks like lots of drilled holes in the bottom.

 

[smaceng]

thanks for all the help.
How can big Healey seat pans be covered with bugeye covers? Twice!
Well, I am trying to get the bug ready for the May 23rd Woodland british show, so I bit the bullet and ordered two new/reman BE seat pans from Sports and Classics. I'm glad I have a high limit on the credit card.
Cheers,
Scott in CA

 

[drooartz]

If I remember correctly (and it's Friday afternoon as I type this and the brain isn't all there so all bets are off) Bugeye seat frames *were* 100-4 frames, with simpler upholstery.

 

[jlaird]

Had not heard that but sounds reasonable.

 

[drooartz]

I vaguely remember reading that in one of my many Healey books. Could also be the product of Friday afternoon mental inconsistencies.

 

[smaceng]

Well, that may be true, but this seat pan did not really fit the seat frame at all. Where the Frog pan sits down and against the front rail of the seat frame, the big Healey pan was just sitting up in the air. It would fit OK at the rear. I will take a picture later to show what I mean. I posted my picture in the big Healey forum, and they say it is from a 60-62 6-cylinder.
Scott in CA

 

[drooartz]

Too many books to dig through to try and find the reference, and not really relevant anyways. Besides, it's Friday night and I'm officially off duty now.

I really need to deal with my seats some day. Just don't want to impede the driving process right now, so I'm dealing with the torn vinyl.

 

[jlaird]

Now next winter, remove the seats, four bolts each and take em inside to rework and cover.

 

[nomad]

If originallity is'nt a problem I recommend the seats from a Mk3 sprite. Same seat frames but more comfortable foam and covering IMHO.
KA.

 

[ichthos]

Hi Scott,
I have a 58 and 60 Bugeye. All my seat bottoms look like the pic you posted on the lawn, but they have a metal plate with holes welded to the bottom portion. I am guessing this gives the seat a little more flexibility? It probably doesn't help much now, but I posted a picture of one of my seat backs in the area you needed yesterday too. I bought a book that stated how easy it was to cover these seats, but I found it anything but easy. The brazing, blasting, and painting weren't too bad, but trying to line up the sewing lines in the back and bottom was a royal pain. I also had a heck of a time stretching the cover over the seat base parts. I ended up heating up my bathroom to make it easier do the bases. I have see many Bugeyes where the lines are crooked or don't match up and it is very noticeable. Many times these were done by "professionals". You put so much work into your car. I just wouldn't rush the seats at this point. Just my two cents.
Kevin