1980 - Is there anyway to make the back of the seat more adjustable?
 

Hello all!

I just bought a 1980 L82 yellow automatic with only 39K miles in beautiful condition. My wife went on our first ride today and the passenger seat leans to far backwards for her. Are there any fixes for this as the stock seat does not have adjustments available.

Thanks for your help!!!!!
Scott

I have exactly the same issue. My wife used to ride with me, but in the last couple of years has developed some back problems and isn't comfortable in our '79 any more. If the seat back was more vertical, she might be OK.

My 1968 seats have two round hard-rubber "stops" that are screwed down to the seat frame to prevent the upright part from leaning too far back.
If your seat has similar stops, you could replace them with "taller" stops to keep the back of the seat from reclining too much.

I added a shim at the pinch point of the hinge.

^ that, or put a pillow behind the seat between the seat and the luggage wall.

Can you send pics of where the shim goes and where do you get them?

Thanks!!!
Scott

I just picked up a pair of 1979 seats. The PO was using them for autocross, and drilled extra holes in the hinges. He put a bolt in each side to keep the back more upright. The top side hinge covers have to come off to access the holes and remove the bolt.

I haven't tried them, but here's what I could do for a picture without taking the covers off.

Often the pinch point is getting bent, causing seat to lean back farther. Shim it and it'll just bend more and faster. Better to shim whole seat with a pillow or something removable than hinge point. Remember, from hi ge ti punch point is a very short distance. From your shoulder blades to hinge is about 20 to 100 times as far. That is the leverage-gear reduction that is bearing down on that pinch point.

shims under rear mounting bolts is where I would try.

I had the same issue with my 80 I welded 2 1/4 steel square blocks on the stopper worked like a charm and did this to another 3 cars, on the older vettes you have 2 stoppers you can adjust out . R

In my 1980 I have the same problem. I took two carriage bolts each with a series of large diameter washers on them and jammed them into the space between the seat butt cushion and the seat butt cushion backing plate. By varying the number of the washers I can vary the pitch.

my wife too says the seats in my 79 recline too far, but it hasn't stopped her from wanting to drive!

I find my 79 seats perfect except the high side bolsters make it a lot more difficult to get in and out of the car than with the early C3 seats. Once I'm in the seat they are the most comfortable seats of any car I've ever been in with the possible exception of my 77 Lincoln Mark V

I used heater hose, split and add as many layers as you need for adjustment. A little "Bubba" perhaps, but it works- it's firm but has some give & spring and isn't really visible anyway...


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...752c3570e.jpeg

Heater hose behind seat of 1980 Vette seat

:iagree: Rubber hose is what I use. Easy ,you dont see it and it works!