Hi,

I just purchased deluxe interior seat covers for my 74 coupe. My question is are they hard to install them yourself? Does anyone have any instuctions on how to do this yourself? Any helpful hints or advise would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you

Tom

 

Is this the first car seat you've recovered? C3's are a higher difficulty level than a standard passenger seat but if you are buying good quality trims and foam it should be fairly easy. If you mess up, start over, all you've done is waste a few retainers.

Buy the installation kit, it has the tool and lot's of retainers in different lengths. The different lengths are for specific pleats. I don't have instructions, but pay close attention as you disassemble the cushion and back trims from the frame. Identify the retainers by length and the listing (cord) they are attched to and jot down the location for reassembly. It will only go back together one way, but the amount of retainers can be overwhelming. If you use the wrong length, the pleat will not look right. Start in the center and work to the outside edges, securing the outer portion as the last step. Do not cut the seat release holes until the back trim is fully secured in position and you are satisfied with the fit and pleats.
You might use pieces of your old foam to correct loose fit issues. Don't use a heat gun and do not overstretch if the trim does not fit. The repop trims are not as strong as OEM, and they will tear. Look for the problem first or ask for help.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes this will be my first attempt at performing a seat cover replacement.

 

Send me your email and I will send you .pdf document w/pictures step by step how I did my 72 seats

 

Is this doc on corvettefaq? If not, maybe you can post it...

 

 

These will help some
http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair2.html

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...s/seatspg1.asp
Eddie

 

Interesting. They did a horrible job on those red seats, so many wrinkles. The early year blue seats are more like conventional car seats and much simpler than early C3's.

 

I tried to send my .pdf files to corvettefaq, the email address they suggest does not work.

 

They can be really difficult, but can be done. I suggest you make a work platform that you can bolt the seats to so that you can really tug on them if needed. I screwed a 2'x4' piece of plywood to a couple of saw horses. Easier to work on then flopping around on the ground. I bought the Al Knoch covers and their new foam. I'd advise you to get new foam also. The seat back covers are a little harder to install, but they filled out perfectly. The backs are the only part that was difficult. Use the plastic trash bag trick. Put a trash bag over the foam, and the seat cover can be pulled over much easier. Doesn't hang up on the foam. Once the cover is in place, you can pull out the bag if you think the covers might shift. Another tip, you can lay a soft blanket on the ground, then use your weight to press down on the frame in order to compess the foam. Mostly common sense. Make notes when you take the old covers off. Good luck. PS I think mine came out as good as factory origional, and better than 80/90% of the vetts I've seen running around.