Seat belt headrest loops (can i find the screw hole?)

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IROC-SS

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 20, 2018
7
11
3
Guys, my El Camino has bucket seats like the ones shown below. I noticed there are different kinds of bucket seats for g-bodys, mine are the kind that are high back with the NON-removable headrest... The picture below is not my ACTUAL seat but instead just a picture for reference. Before I owned the car, the previous owner had the seats covered beautifully in a blue tweed. The upholsterer did not put the seatbelt loops back on. Now I'm getting new seatbelts and I'd like to install the little plastic loops on the side of the headrest. I have felt around trying to see if I can determine where the screw hole for the loops are and can't. Before I buy the loops, and before I start digging around with an icepick, potentially damaging the beautiful upholstery job, is there any chance the mounts inside the seat are actually gone? or is that an integral part of the inside structure of the seat that cant or wouldn't possibly be removed???

1987_oldsmobile_442-pic-3021204936352727055-1600x1200.jpeg
 

69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
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IIRC, the screw holes for mounting are DEEP into the foam sides. I believe they're a part of the seat back metal "pan" as it were. I would think it would be difficult to remove the mounting holes without modifying so I doubt they would have removed them. BUT, I don't know for sure. Did you use a surgical type or thin nitrile exam glove to press hard onto the side where you can "feel" the holes? (wearing the glove prevents skin oils from being pressed into the fabric) With new covering they may have put extra padding in that area. Even reusing old padding sometimes is tough to find those holes again. You're not done feeling around. Keep looking for that "G" Spot. :) (as in G-body- get it?)
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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Another thought....did they put them back on the right sides? I mean, if they put the LH pan on the RH seat, then the mount holes might be on the inside of the headrests? Just a thought and maybe a quick check could tell me I'm full of crap. I dunno...just thinking out loud. And sometimes that's not always a good thing.
 

mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
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I wouldnt use an ice pick. Try a long thin sewing needle. The mark will probably get lost in the tweed fabric. Just from looking at the pictures you should be able to get a real good idea of where the hole should be.
 
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DJHull

Master Mechanic
Apr 28, 2015
255
232
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Lansing, Mi
I took some pics of my high back bucket seats before I had them redone. You can see the holes in each side. Hope this helps.
 

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IROC-SS

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 20, 2018
7
11
3
Thanks, I feel comfortable enough now to go ahead and purchase the guides. When they come in I will reference these photos and use a needle to find the holes. I'll also make sure my seat backs are not reversed as suggested above.
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
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Thanks, I feel comfortable enough now to go ahead and purchase the guides. When they come in I will reference these photos and use a needle to find the holes. I'll also make sure my seat backs are not reversed as suggested above.
Not sure they could even be reversed, but if they can, it can't hurt to check. If so, you could always use the pictures as a guide and drill new ones. As you can see from the pictures, it didn't seem the guy at the factory drilling the holes to begin with was much of a drill bit marksman anyway. I'm sure there was a guide for it, but I've watched them assemble cars in the 80s and guides seemed optional most of the time.
 
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buick7332

Master Mechanic
Oct 21, 2014
350
589
93
N.E. Philadelphia area
Guys, my El Camino has bucket seats like the ones shown below. I noticed there are different kinds of bucket seats for g-bodys, mine are the kind that are high back with the NON-removable headrest... The picture below is not my ACTUAL seat but instead just a picture for reference. Before I owned the car, the previous owner had the seats covered beautifully in a blue tweed. The upholsterer did not put the seatbelt loops back on. Now I'm getting new seatbelts and I'd like to install the little plastic loops on the side of the headrest. I have felt around trying to see if I can determine where the screw hole for the loops are and can't. Before I buy the loops, and before I start digging around with an icepick, potentially damaging the beautiful upholstery job, is there any chance the mounts inside the seat are actually gone? or is that an integral part of the inside structure of the seat that cant or wouldn't possibly be removed???

1987_oldsmobile_442-pic-3021204936352727055-1600x1200.jpeg
I don't have any pictures of this but I will try to help. I just rebuilt a set of 80 Malibu high back buckets. when you remove the foam from the frame, there is what I will call an arm that attaches to the top of the frame on the door side. If you feel both sides of the headrest you should be able to find it. Push in with your thumb.The guide screws to that arm. And yes, that arm may have been removed by the previous upholsterer. It's attached by a few sheet metal screws. If it's there use a needle. Not an ice pick to find the holes. Hope this helps
 

DJHull

Master Mechanic
Apr 28, 2015
255
232
43
Lansing, Mi
I don't have any pictures of this but I will try to help. I just rebuilt a set of 80 Malibu high back buckets. when you remove the foam from the frame, there is what I will call an arm that attaches to the top of the frame on the door side. If you feel both sides of the headrest you should be able to find it. Push in with your thumb.The guide screws to that arm. And yes, that arm may have been removed by the previous upholsterer. It's attached by a few sheet metal screws. If it's there use a needle. Not an ice pick to find the holes. Hope this helps
I agree the holes do not seems to be lined up exactly on either side. I put the screws back in the holes and too some measurements and pictures. I put tape on the passenger side head rest. The seats were on edge with the head rest closest to me when measuring. The screws seem to be an inch or less deep into the fabric and cushion. Hope this helps.
 

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