dlocke

Hey all, I joined the forum a week or so ago. I bought an 80 C-3 a few months back & am planning on changing out the seat covers. I have done this kind of work before and am comfortable with it, but I was wondering if anyone knew (roughly) how many hog rings it takes to get the job done? I am usually very generous with them on regular GM seats, but these seats are different & I don't want to buy 300 hog rings when a bag of 50 will be fine.
DJL

74 LS4-454

Check out the vendors, like Corvette America, Corvette Central, Wilcox, etc., etc.... as there are kits available that include what you need to get the job done. Wilcox always runs a special on his site, and you can even send in your seats to get redone by them at discount prices....
check them all out........

DUB

If you buy the new seat installation kit...they come in it...along with the new wires for the covers due to many that I have encountered needed to be replaced due to rust. I generally buy the covers already installed on new foams due to not wanting to hassle with adding padding and adding in my time in installing the covers (which I have done more than I can count)...can make it cost ineffective to my customers. But to answer your question 50 ( give or take) will get you by.

DUB

DUB

Welcome to the forum.

DUB

scottw

I bought a set of covers and new foam. 50-60 sounds right. Came with the package and I had a few left over. Pretty easy job to do.

lionelhutz

If the 80 seats are anything like the ones in Dads 78 then it doesn't take that many.

Also, if the frame is the same, then you might want to think about welding some bracing into the seat back to keep it from bending where the seat back bumpers mount. We bent the back to line up the bumpers on Dads car and then welded some small triangle wedges onto it and it's been good since.

DC3

If the foam in your seats is worn, you can purchase new seat covers already installed on new foam.

DC

dlocke

Thanks for all the info. I also need to paint the seat backs and buckets. We usually use SEM interior paint on Firebirds & Trans Ams. I think the SEM "light buckskin" would closely match my corvette's doeskin. Then again, is there another vendor that matches the doeskin color? Sorry about my ignorance. I have tons of GM experience on Pontiacs & big cars, but never even drove a corvette until I bought this one at age 47. I did help a guy weld up a frame on a 69 back in the 80's, but that is the extent of it. I gotta say that the vette is fun to drive, but somewhat more difficult than an A-body or F-body to work on mechanically.
DJL

Easy Mike

I am sure I am missing something, but you can count the ones you take out and come up with an exact number.

Food For Thought: purchasing new covers already installed on new foam is worth the additional expense.

gcusmano74

Yes. The area around the bottom bumpers is a known weak spot. Most of the repro houses sell a repair plate. Put it in while your seats are all apart.

qwank

don't you just buy a box of them?