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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Difference Between the L&R Seats
Posted by: 76-914 May 2 2023, 02:12 PM
What makes one seat different from the other? Are the bases/seats different from one another? Or is it the back rests or headrests that differ from L to R? To put it another way; which pieces would be interchangeable? TIA, Kent 
Posted by: eric9144 May 2 2023, 02:35 PM
Think the rails (at least on the seat side) are same, just swap left and right.
The seats differ on the back of the head rests---the top of the head rest has an indent where it meets the firewall pad and they're angled (look at both from the back and you'll see it.)
The other difference is that the drivers seat bolster on the 'outside' is thinner where the handbrake is so you can actually get to it
Posted by: Chris914n6 May 2 2023, 02:36 PM
I thought the drivers seat was clearanced for the parking brake handle or maybe the foam was just different?
The headrest foam is contoured to the rear window curve.
Posted by: SirAndy May 2 2023, 03:06 PM
If you look at the headrests from behind the car through the back window, you can clearly see how they differ.
Posted by: Lockwodo May 2 2023, 03:29 PM
Think the rails (at least on the seat side) are same, just swap left and right.
The seats differ on the back of the head rests---the top of the head rest has an indent where it meets the firewall pad and they're angled (look at both from the back and you'll see it.)
The other difference is that the drivers seat bolster on the 'outside' is thinner where the handbrake is so you can actually get to it
On my '74, the rails bolted to the seats are different, the pull handles for the seat adjusters should be on the inside of the seats next to the tunnel. Also, if the seats have been swapped on the rails bolted to the floor, then the driver's seat will not adjust as far forward and the release catch for sliding the seat forward off the rails will not engage.
Posted by: 76-914 May 2 2023, 05:28 PM
If you look at the headrests from behind the car through the back window, you can clearly see how they differ.
Well you see Andy, that's my problem. I bought another seat years ago because it was ripped. IIRC, it was the right seat. When viewed from behind it looks catty wampus. This is why I'm trying to figure out if I need to get another headrest, backrest, cushion or what. I'll post a pic shortly.
Posted by: 76-914 May 2 2023, 05:54 PM
I dunno now. Maybe it was me being cockeyed. The covering was coming loose and I think that created an optical illusion. After I taped it in place it looks OK. What'da you think? It never had a problem lining up with the back pad and both seats are square and level. Maybe I'm chasing my own tail but I did't want to put new upholstery on only to find out I'd stepped in big pile of 
.
Posted by: mepstein May 2 2023, 07:27 PM
They look reversed to me. Usually the ebrake cutout (slighter on later years) is the giveaway.
I drove my car for years with reversed seats. Not really a big deal unless it bothers you.
Posted by: Cairo94507 May 3 2023, 06:17 AM
I believe it is the upholstery that makes them different. I would be a bit surprised (but not really) if Porsche made a left and right seat shell for a lowly 914.
Posted by: rhodyguy May 3 2023, 08:00 AM
The level shows about 1/4” out over 4’? MEH…Don’t sweat the minor stuff. Leave it for the next owner to sort out. The bubble is still pretty much between the vial lines.
Posted by: 76-914 May 3 2023, 08:27 AM
The level shows about 1/4” out over 4’? MEH…Don’t sweat the minor stuff. Leave it for the next owner to sort out. The bubble is still pretty much between the vial lines.
It's on the lift so it should be somewhat level. I'm going to throw the back pad in and if there isn't a noticeable fit problem I'm going to call it good Kev.
Posted by: bdstone914 May 3 2023, 08:33 AM
It's on the lift so it should be somewhat level. I'm going to throw the back pad in and if there isn't a noticeable fit problem I'm going to call it good Kev.
[/quote]
Even if they are the wrong seats they will fit he back pad.
It is just the angle of the top of the headrest that slopes toward the outside of the car. And the recess for the hand brake.
Posted by: sb914 May 3 2023, 09:54 AM
Regardless your still cockeyed . 
Posted by: ndfrigi May 3 2023, 10:00 AM
I dunno now. Maybe it was me being cockeyed. The covering was coming loose and I think that created an optical illusion. After I taped it in place it looks OK. What'da you think? It never had a problem lining up with the back pad and both seats are square and level. Maybe I'm chasing my own tail but I did't want to put new upholstery on only to find out I'd stepped in big pile of
.Maybe just swap the rails?
Posted by: eric9144 May 3 2023, 10:00 AM
Think the rails (at least on the seat side) are same, just swap left and right.
The seats differ on the back of the head rests---the top of the head rest has an indent where it meets the firewall pad and they're angled (look at both from the back and you'll see it.)
The other difference is that the drivers seat bolster on the 'outside' is thinner where the handbrake is so you can actually get to it
On my '74, the rails bolted to the seats are different, the pull handles for the seat adjusters should be on the inside of the seats next to the tunnel. Also, if the seats have been swapped on the rails bolted to the floor, then the driver's seat will not adjust as far forward and the release catch for sliding the seat forward off the rails will not engage.
Yeah I was referring to the seat side of the hardware not the floor mount parts
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=9964 from the pics it looks like you have them flip flopped right now--passenger on drivers side
Posted by: eric9144 May 3 2023, 10:07 AM
The head rest slant is pretty noticable on the one, not so much on the other but if you look you can see it--I'd bet the one currently on the passenger side has the E-Brake 'thin out' on the lower part of the seat bolster.
Posted by: DRPHIL914 May 3 2023, 10:09 AM
i think they are swapped, the outer back side of the headrest is wider than the inner, and the left side bolster indent for the hand break , yiu won’t have that on either side for a true passenger side seat , but, they will work and it doesn’t really matter other than looks and balance. - and hand clearance for hand break, as others have said it will fit into the back rest fine either way.
i’ll take a picture tonight of mine if it helps,
Posted by: 76-914 May 3 2023, 03:40 PM
Thx Eric & Phil. The hand brake clears the seat but evidently it will clear with either seat. I honestly don't remember which seat was torn but logically it would have been the drivers side. I probably switched it with the passenger side and later replaced the torn seat when I found a replacement seat as the replacement seat is on the psg side. I'll look for that pic later tonight. Thx again.
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com May 3 2023, 03:44 PM
the upholstered headrest foam (one slants one way the other the other way) and the left outer foam that is cut out to clear the handbrake. The fiberglass shells are the same
What makes one seat different from the other? Are the bases/seats different from one another? Or is it the back rests or headrests that differ from L to R? To put it another way; which pieces would be interchangeable? TIA, Kent
Posted by: 76-914 May 3 2023, 04:29 PM
Regardless your still cockeyed .
Every time I use or hear that phrase I think of Richard Pryor's skit about the foreman's son Cockeyed Junior. 
Posted by: 76-914 May 3 2023, 04:38 PM
Regardless your still cockeyed .
Every time I use or hear that phrase I think of Richard Pryor's skit about the foreman's son Cockeyed Junior. Well everyone of you said the same thing and it appears that ya'll are all correct. The handbrake is very close to the seat but unimpeded so I ruled that out. I put the calipers to the left side of each seat. The psg seat is the first pic. I moved over to the drivers seat and you can see from the pics the caliper sitting quite proudly upon the top of the side cushion.
Where is my Forest Gump sign?
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