289 seats and runners

[427AC]

Hi Guys,

i know this has probably been asked before, but has anyone got any pictures of the origanal 289 seat frames, and seat runners in position on the chassis.

Thanks

[1985 CCX]

You mean bare seat frames mounted without foam and cover?

You can search Ken Miles Seat, there are some nice threads on that one....

[LMH]

The seats in leaf spring cars are formed aluminum buckets/tube frame. The tube frames slides on Leveroll sliders that bolt to the chassis. Sliders are mounted with the adjustment knob out-board on each side.

Thank you clayboy for the photo. CSX2425:


Seat frames:


Chassis cross members:


Larry

[427AC]

Cheers Larry, just a case of finding some runners?.

i have the seats drawn up on cad, will post later.

[LMH]

The seat tracks may be the same as Triumph TR3 except for the faceted Leveroll knob. TR3 used a round knob. I haven't yet been able to establish that positively though.
Larry

[427AC]

Cheers larry TR3 seat runners i have some, the problem i have is the front mounts i can get to line up, but it is the back ones that are the problem.
oh well i will have to keep playing

[427AC]

solved it, the front rail on the chassis, was the wrong way round.

[LMH]

Interesting! I wasn't sure if the TR3 slider is/was exactly the same or not. I haven't tried to fit one in an original. Glad it's working out for you!
Larry

[rsk289]

Are you sure the seat runner is TR3? I have tried everywhere in the UK and cannot find another car with the same runners. Dan Case also advised that he was not aware of any car that used the same length. I have a pair of DB Aston ones which are the same construction, but 6" shorter.
Hawk Cars had a tool made to fold up new ones but it broke a while back. I have one new Hawk pair, and a pair of originals bought on ebay from CSX2000-series car which was raced from new. Don't ask what those runners cost me, the pain is still there.
If TR3 really do fit that would be great news, but I'd be surprised.
Roger

Edit: just found a youtube clip showing the TR runners. TR3 are completely different. Early TR4, using two separate runners, are similar but too short. Late TR4 onwards are completely different, being a single platform type.
So best bet would probably be early TR4, but using underfloor strengthening as they would not be long enough to reach between the original chassiss outriggers on an original car.

[1985 CCX]

Think "London" inc made them?
Also thought they were a AM unit share

[rsk289]

They were made by 'Leveroll' of London, who made seat runners for just about everything, from small saloons to lorries. As I said, the Aston DB4/5/6 used the same pattern but around 6" shorter. I bought a set with a view to welding extensions on but this proved impossible.

[LMH]

A few years ago, I was at a British car junkyard and was looking at a set of seat sliders that were similar to what's in the Cobra. They were marked TR3 but maybe they were mismarked. I didn't buy them and never compared them directly to original Cobra tracks, so was never sure one way or the other.
I went aftermarket for sliders.
Larry

[rsk289]

This clip shows the differences quite clearly.
There was a 'TR3B' produced briefly for the US market as an interim between the 3A and the 4, which may be where the confusion is coming from.
However the TR3 runners shown in this clip are nothing like Cobra ones. The early TR4 which he shows us are very close, but not long enough. If these could be modified to fit the chassis supports they would look very good, with a pair of Bakelite Leveroll knobs on the ends.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccy96PbgJ0k[/ame]

In the frozen frame at the start, TR3 are in the middle with early TR4 below. Very similar to correct Cobra.

[Mongoose930]

I am looking for a pair of authentic looking seat runners for my Hi-Tech and after reading this post last week, I started researching the TR runners and also noted that the early TR4parts looked very similar to the Cobra runners. Unfortunately, nobody seems to have the TR4 runners available. I checked with Moss and all of the other usual suspects but no one has stock. If anyone knows where I can get a pair of early TR4 runners, please let me know as I would be willing to give them a try. I have a pair of the newer billet Kirkham runners which are beautiful but aren't anywhere close to looking original. The old Kirkham runners looked much closer to originals but they are no longer available. I wish Hawk would fix the tool...

[rsk289]

Originally Posted by Mongoose930

...I wish Hawk would fix the tool...

I keep asking, but you know Gerry...

[LMH]

Just watched the video. I see now they (TR3) are very different. Nice find!
Larry

[krausewich]

(In Plan View) I would recommend moving your seat up and to the right in the 1 o'clock direction. The mount holes on the front rail are too far outboard of chassis centerline. Consider your seatbelt bolt hole locations as reference. Hope this lines up with the solution you came up with.

Mike.

[427AC]

Gents, the TR ones definitely don't fit they are to small, by some 4 inches
also tried the AC owners forums, and found as was discussed in earlier posts
someone in Belgium doing the leverall runners, but it wont let me save the pictures computer says they are corrupted. here is the link.

AC Owners Club - Ace/Aceca seat runners

also these make sense as they are bent as a U channel, not a single bend like the TR. I may make the U channel up and cannibalize the TR Mech to fit.

noted Kraz on the seat position.

[LMH]

Nice! So you would use a track like this and the locking mechanism from the TR?



Larry

[LMH]

Another Cobra track for detail:


Larry