Seat belts... um, HELP!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 63
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From: San Diego CA
Seat belts... um, HELP!
Hi there...
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already - and it still SOUNDS great.
Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already
- and it still SOUNDS great. Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
The lap belts bolt through to a bolt under the floor pan. More then likely it is rusted solid. Time for your best rust removal technique.
The seat should have the slots for the shoulder belt, just not cut open. On the front, check the bezel when it would come through, should be vinyl or leather there that you can press in. On the back you should be able to feel the slot through the material. Will need to get a bezel for the back side.
The seat should have the slots for the shoulder belt, just not cut open. On the front, check the bezel when it would come through, should be vinyl or leather there that you can press in. On the back you should be able to feel the slot through the material. Will need to get a bezel for the back side.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Hi there...
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already - and it still SOUNDS great.
Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already
- and it still SOUNDS great. Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
For really stubborn rusted bolts that won't budge ...spray the bolts with the PB Blaster, wait a while, and spray again. Then try to loosen them a little. Spray again, tighten the bolts, then loosen a little more than the first time. Keep going back and forth ... loosen a little ... tighten a little. Don't try to loosen a lot all at once ... that's when they break off. That may happen anyway ... if so, you will probably have to drill and re-tap. Sometimes they come out pretty easily after they are initially freed up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Can't see why your seats wouldn't have the stock slots in a '73,, I believe they all came with them.
The '73's shoulder retractor bolt up location is the top of the fender wells, the brackets should be there, even if the belts aren't, look at the top of the underside of the rear wheel wells, you should see the brakcets with the threaded hole for the shoulder retractors. The belts pictured are from Andover restraints, about 300 for a complete set, including all the hardware. good investment. C.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The '73's shoulder retractor bolt up location is the top of the fender wells, the brackets should be there, even if the belts aren't, look at the top of the underside of the rear wheel wells, you should see the brakcets with the threaded hole for the shoulder retractors. The belts pictured are from Andover restraints, about 300 for a complete set, including all the hardware. good investment. C.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Last edited by RunningMan373; Apr 21, 2008 at 05:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Please don't keep me in suspense! ... what's the tool called and where can I buy it? I'm sure it's worth the $ but how much? Thanks.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Hi there...
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already - and it still SOUNDS great.
Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
So, after six months of letting it gather dust, I've decided to try to get back to my 73... I bought this car a year ago with a mostly new drive train, but a completely raw and mostly disassembled interior. I'm gutting the interior now so I can rebuild it. I plan to use mostly the original parts and replace stuff as time and money permit... I want the car painted and road-worthy in the short-term; I'll make it perfect later.
So the question is... as I gut the interior... how the HELL do I remove the seat belts? They are obviously original. Right now I'm just trying to remove the outer mount point where the retractor is (lap belts only) - no breaker bar, no impact driver can persuade the bolt to move at all. Any ideas at all?
My other question... I'd love to put shoulder belts in while I'm at it. I can't see the shoulder belt mount points? Also, the seats I have don't have an opening to let the shoulder belt pass through... any ideas short of new seats?
On the plus side, I started the car (me sitting on the floor since the seats were gone already
- and it still SOUNDS great. Any help would be appreciated...
Steve
Original shoulder belts are very $$$$. That $300 setup looks pretty nice. Those are on my to-do list as well. The mount bracket in the wheel well on the driver side is missing on mine as well.
Were your seats redone? That might be why the slots are not cut out.
Glenn
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
http://www.cvfsupplycompany.com/imdrhaheimdr3.html
I bought mine in 1971 and paid around 40 bucks for it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Thanks for your replies. I have an impact driver... trust me, I learned the value of that tool long ago, although it didn't budge this bolt. The heads of the bolts look good, so I'm not as worried there, but there's definitely some rust.
I'm leaning towards the late-model Camaro shoulder belts; I'm trying to keep this thing on a reasonble budget.
Yes, my seats were refinished before I got the car. The leather's really nice; I hate to think of cutting it! Is it difficult?
I'm leaning towards the late-model Camaro shoulder belts; I'm trying to keep this thing on a reasonble budget.
Yes, my seats were refinished before I got the car. The leather's really nice; I hate to think of cutting it! Is it difficult?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Thanks for your replies. I have an impact driver... trust me, I learned the value of that tool long ago, although it didn't budge this bolt. The heads of the bolts look good, so I'm not as worried there, but there's definitely some rust.
I'm leaning towards the late-model Camaro shoulder belts; I'm trying to keep this thing on a reasonble budget.
Yes, my seats were refinished before I got the car. The leather's really nice; I hate to think of cutting it! Is it difficult?
I'm leaning towards the late-model Camaro shoulder belts; I'm trying to keep this thing on a reasonble budget.
Yes, my seats were refinished before I got the car. The leather's really nice; I hate to think of cutting it! Is it difficult?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
when you're using that impact wrench on the seat belt bolts, just remember that the metal anchor plate is riveted to fiberglass. i'd hate to see your next post on how to repair large holes in glass.
jeff
jeff
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Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Eek. Yeah, thanks for the heads up. So the plate bolts through fiberglass into the frame underneath? Seems rather odd to me... Oh well, time to try some chemical help and see what happens. Of course, I'll have to jack the car up just to get to the bottom...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
I'm replacing my carpet as well ... so it didn't matter in my case.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 63
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From: San Diego CA
Thanks again...
"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world."
So I stopped at Home Depot tonight for a can of Miracle Stuff (tm) and a length of copper pipe to add to my breaker bar. Yeah, that did it. I only did the passenger side; I'll finish it this weekend, but I am feeling a lot better about it now.
How sad is it that after nine hours at the office, I count this one bolt removed as my biggest accomplishment of the day?
So I stopped at Home Depot tonight for a can of Miracle Stuff (tm) and a length of copper pipe to add to my breaker bar. Yeah, that did it.
I only did the passenger side; I'll finish it this weekend, but I am feeling a lot better about it now. How sad is it that after nine hours at the office, I count this one bolt removed as my biggest accomplishment of the day?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07