Project Project My modest

[slow_and_ugly]

The winter weather and an unheated garage has kept me from working on the door lock silencer, but it hasn't kept me idle. I have reupholstered my driver's seat.

The seat had typical cracks and splits in the vinyl.

The worst feature though, was that the seat sagged. I feared the foam was totally broken down but when I took the seat the seat apart I found that the foam was pretty much okay except for a split along the bottom where there was thin trough to allow a series of springs to pass through and hold down the seat bottom. The split allowed all the weight to press against a single cross spring which couldn't support it.

I reinforced the seam with a piece of leather I had left over from the steering wheel cover (never throw anything away!) and covered the bottom with a piece of canvas.
The canvas should help distribute the weight.

I considered many options for the seating material. In the end I wanted to keep the simple nature of the interior and decided to keep it black. I did a brief search for a replacement for the original vinyl weave but I remembered how much I detested it back in the day and opted for a black faux suede.
When the fabric arrived I found that I preferred the back side of cloth to the front. The back had a simple ribbed texture that reminded of the seats of my former 91 Si. SO I used the back. It made it a little more difficult as I them had to deal with the alignment of the ribbing, but it wasn't that big a deal.

I used the old pieces of the seat as guides to cut the new pieces. The outside piece of the seat back was too long so I had to cut it out in two pieces. The assembly was straight-forward. Just match up the edges and sew together. A bit of trial and error, but that's essentially it.
This is the result:

Not exactly perfect, but not a disaster either.
I reused all the foam and hardware. All the vinyl pieces except the back of the seat, the skirt at the bottom, and the piping have been replaced. I am encouraged enough to continue. The next task will be to do the passenger seat and the back seats to match although those seats are in very good condition.

[skiline900]

Seat looks really good.

When you did the compression test how did you narrow it down to valves and not piston?

What valve work did you have done?

[slow_and_ugly]

as per valves: Basically it came down to a guess. When hand turning the crank you could hear a hiss as the #3 piston came TDC. There was no oil burning so I figured the rings were okay and just went for it.
As far as remember the head went to the machine shop, the #3 exhaust valve and 2 valve guides were replaced.
It basically came out of the garage and was parked for the winter so I can't say for sure I got it right. But it was running nice.

[steve.ewing@ottawa.ca]

When you did the compression test how did you narrow it down to valves and not piston?

Do a compression test - record the numbers.
Add a bit of oil to each cylinder.
Do another compression test.
If the pressure in 1 or more of your cylinders increases, you have cylinder issues.
If the readings don't change, you have head issues.

[steve.ewing@ottawa.ca]

Nice job on the seat!

[slow_and_ugly]

And then there were two....

Again, not perfect, but usable. The second one was much easier as only the seating surface had to be changed. I am not sure if the wrinkles are caused by the insert being crooked or the seat cover needing a tug here and there. It was't wrinkled before it went on the frame.

[slow_and_ugly]

I gave up looking for a right side exterior mirror. The only one I ever found was going for over $400. I have ordered a set of 'Ital' style from the UK. I think they'll look okay.

I am now looking for a set of fog lights. Not for driving so much as looking cool.

[slow_and_ugly]

Finally finished the rear seat. It's still covered with pieces of the backing that totally disintegrated and made a big mess.

I learned a lot doing this. I could probably do a decent job now.

Now where was I before winter so rudely interrupted? Oh yeah....door lock....

[tviracing]

these are probable what you are looking for for your door lock
i have been making these in proper rubber for a few years now and they work just fine
these are not 3D printed ones that break
£25 pounds sterling per pair free shipping anywhere in the world
regards
slim

[panchoyonions]

Looking like your putting in some good work! Liking it! He what kind of sewing machine are you using for the
Upholstery