Seat Back angle on '81?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
Seat Back angle on '81?
I'm trying to determine whether I should buy a set of new plastic buckets/backs for the seats in my '81. I know that it is normal for the seat backs to lean back somewhat but I'm wondering if perhaps something is worn and/or warped that is replaceable and could result in at least a slightly more upright driving position. Does anyone know what the seatback angle should be based upon seats in good condition? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
My problem is that my wife has a bad back that can't even handle a 10-minute drive in the Vette. If I can't make the stock seats sit up a bit straighter, then I'd be interested in knowing of any other seats that anyone's installed in an '81. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You should be able to adjust the back stops higher or put shims under them. If you can't do that, put some spacer blocks under the rear mounting plates on the seat tracks (of her seat). Just make sure you use Grade 8 bolts if you need to get longer ones.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
Thanks for the reply. There aren't any back stops on my '81 seats but I actually had a thought earlier today regarding putting some risers under the rear bolts of the passenger seat to make it a bit straighter. Your statement about using the Grade 8 bolts was a very good one that I hadn't thought of. I think I'll give that a try.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thanks for the reply. There aren't any back stops on my '81 seats but I actually had a thought earlier today regarding putting some risers under the rear bolts of the passenger seat to make it a bit straighter. Your statement about using the Grade 8 bolts was a very good one that I hadn't thought of. I think I'll give that a try.
http://www.volvette.com/page/VVP/PRO...eat-frame/IH27
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
Thanks, but the adjusters are listed as being applicable for up to '78 and mine's an '81. I don't know how I would be able to attach these to my seats. I'm assuming that they would normally screw into the bottom of the seat back but my seats don't have anything to screw them into.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thanks, but the adjusters are listed as being applicable for up to '78 and mine's an '81. I don't know how I would be able to attach these to my seats. I'm assuming that they would normally screw into the bottom of the seat back but my seats don't have anything to screw them into.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Seeley Lake Montana
I think your seats are similar to my '79. I took the plastic covers off the brackets so I could see the stops for the seatback. I put a small piece of 3/16 aluminum over the lower part (seat bottom) of each stop and lowered the seatback into place, The angle was right for me, so a little JB Weld and the job was done. If you try this, be sure to do both sides of the seat or the back will be twisted. Be sure adequate headroom remains--it changes.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
Seeley,
That's an interesting thought. I'm going to take a look at my seat hinges and weight this possibility. Whatever I do though, I want to make certain that the seats remain as safe as they currently are (I know they're up to modern-day seat standards in this regards but I don't want to end up going backwards in this regard.)
That's an interesting thought. I'm going to take a look at my seat hinges and weight this possibility. Whatever I do though, I want to make certain that the seats remain as safe as they currently are (I know they're up to modern-day seat standards in this regards but I don't want to end up going backwards in this regard.)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 284
From: Springfield MA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '19, '21
Here's the quick, easy, cheap fix that I used on my 82. Get a length of heater hose and slit it from one end to the other, cut it to the size of the clam shell base of the seat, both back and bottom. Slip it over this part and the seat is now about 2inches farther up-right. Worked like a charm for me.
Dave
Dave
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fla
wow
Shaggyvette,
Sounds like the cure for my back issues..I am doing an interior redo on my 1982 and this rubber hose mod sounds like the perfect solution. I have contemplated metal shims in the clam shell, but your solution seems to solve the wear issues.
Sounds like the cure for my back issues..I am doing an interior redo on my 1982 and this rubber hose mod sounds like the perfect solution. I have contemplated metal shims in the clam shell, but your solution seems to solve the wear issues.
