Restoration begins on my '72 Kingswood Estate this week!

Remove the seat to see? *shrug*

 

Could be a piece of carpet or perhaps a floor mat or rag caught up in the track on that side............worth having a look. Also, you can reach up and pull the rod that goes from side to side and see if that releases the latch on that side. Try some lube on it, could just be stuck from sitting for so many years.

 

The pull mechanism on these can get weak. Like he said you can reach under and pull it by hand OR it may have unattached itself( I believe there are a couple hangers for this heavy wire across the seat to hold it up and make the right tension) there is a lever it attaches to on the right side inside the track with an eyehole in it. Small pliers or vise grips will do the job but be carefull it may have seized a bit like said above. so if you free it it may stick that way till you move it back into lock position. LOL get a helper on that side after you get it working you sit on drivers side and then adjust to your comfort and lock it in position. You will need to move the seat to remove it anyways, you can get it out like it is but it can be a pain to get at bolts if it doesn't move.

 

I've got a split bench like this (LT - power, RT - manual), and I was sitting in the driver's seat the other day and wanted to move the RT seat forward. Dang lever wouldn't move. Well DUH - I was trying to move it the wrong way. Seems to work better when you are actually sitting in the seat.

 

Thanks for the replies on the seat, I will try that tomorrow. I bought a good flashlight so I could see what I am doing. LOL!

The car is still leaking oil... or at least it was today. I ventured out in it again into town to one of the good car washes with some good vacuum cleaners. I gave the car a good vacuum and it looks so much better. The car will need new carpet to be super nice inside, as the driver front is getting worn/rotted. The car runs so good. I do have a lifter tapping, so I will need to get that checked out (adjusted) soon.

I checked the oil when I got home and it was STILL overfull! That may be why it is still leaking. It only leaks when I turn the car off. It was still way above full on the stick. Apparently what I have done was bought one of those 5 quart jugs (and thought it was a 4 quart) and bought a 1 quart and poured all 6 quarts in!! I thought I made sure I didn't do that, but that is all I can guess that has happened. I went ahead and drained MORE oil this evening (now it is right on full!), but it was getting dark, so I will start it tomorrow and see if the leak has stopped. I hope it has, I had a car with leaks.

Yesterday also discovered that the tranny cooler line was leaking at the radiator, so we fixed that. I checked the tranny fluid and it is still OK, it is actually SLIGHTLY above the full mark, but I guess it is OK - the guy that did the tranny did it, so I guess he knew what he was doing? lol. I am not going to drain any out.

The transmission shifts perfectly.

 

I managed to also get my seat moved back today (I had to move the latch on the passenger side of the seat with my thumb and push the seat back). Not sure what is wrong with it - stretched cable?

I also took care of a "squeaky" brake pedal plunger and put my rear view mirror back on.

I did notice that my tranny cooler line (upper) on the radiator is leaking a little bit. Have to address that tomorrow and hopefully get the tailgate switch off and see what is going on with it.

 

I guess it is finally considered "road worthy". I drove it 70 miles round trip today, the longest trip I have ever had in it thus far and it only used 1/4 tank of gas. LOL! (Drove to a large local cruise-in). Time to start on the body work soon. Fun fun and $$$$!

 

Looks good sitting there.

 

I like the little dog peeing on the Malibu, not a Cheby fan I'm guessing

 

Thank you!

LOL! They have been using that little dog for years at the cruise. Everyone thinks it is real when they first see it. Even I still do when I first see it.

 

How many gallons?

 

I agree your wagon looks nice sitting there. Someone needs to move the doggie up to your front tire and add a cry baby to the side.

 

Were there any other wagons there? I sometimes take mine to a local cruise night and I'm always the only long roof.

 

Thanks! lol.

Not too many. The only one I remember seeing there yesterday was a Fairmont wagon. Normally it is the same cars over and over. Normally there is a '57 Country Squire, early 90s Roadmaster Estate always there... also sometimes a Vista Cruiser, but that is it. No other clamshells. The last one I saw there was that '74 Grand Safari I have mentioned before... about 3 years ago it was there once and never saw it again there, or anywhere else.

 

Looks great to see it out and congrats on taking it out for a drive! As for the gas consumption, not all that unusual. Remember, your car weighs somewhere in excess of 5,000lbs. ¼ of a tank is only about 5+ gallons, so considering how far your drove (not knowing the terrain of course) doesn't seem that bad. My '75 Caprice Estate averaged 15 mpg on the open expressway...closer to 12 in mixed driving.

At any rate, congrats again and good luck with your continued resto work.