FlyViper

The portion of the lap belts where they "wrap around" on the door side is rusted, thus I cannot adjust the girth of the seat belt, at least by "normal" pulling/tugging. The passenger seat belt is too big and doesn't properly fit my wife. Anyone have suggestions on how to fix this? If not, do you recommend getting new ones or upgrading to retractable ones? If I have to get new ones, I can't seem to find just retractable lap belts. My shoulder belts are fine, so I'd rather not spend extra $$$ on those if I don't have to. Thanks!

Alan 71

I believe on the 71 the lap belt was fixed at the door sill and the adjustment was at the buckle on your lap. There was a small plastic loop on the belt to hold the tail of the belt after it was adjusted.
Do you have a different setup? Maybe the belts have been changed.
Regards,
Alan

Michigan Vette Guy

Give this link a try. http://www.ecklers.com/search.asp?ac...searchHistory= Should at least give you an idea of what you need or what's available.
When I looked at the shoulder strap on my '73 (both sides), they were tied in multiple square knots. Both lap bealt with the same problem you described. I plan to just replace mine. Safest and most legal way...for me. Good Luck on your project.

FlyViper

Alan, my seat belts are exactly as you described. The part that's rusted is the actual "rod" (or whatever you want to call it) that the seat belt moves around when you adjust the girth. Basically, the metal part that clicks in has a death grip on the seat belt since it's rusted, so therefore no adjustment.

70Yellowbird

I immersed that entire metal lap belt buckle in a plastic container of boiling (microwaved) white vinegar for a few days ... reheated several times. Then I washed the belt and buckle in the washing machine, after using temporary protection over the metal parts so they wouldn't beat up the inside of the washing machine. The cloth belts are clean and the metal parts look almost like new w/ no rust.

FlyViper

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that and see what happens. What'd you protect the metal parts w/ in the washing machine?

70Yellowbird

My wife made a terrycloth bag with a velcro closure that the belt would fit inside. Pretty simple.

Good luck.

Alan 71

Yellowbird's suggestion sounds good.
In our house there's a rule...NO CAR PARTS IN THE OVEN, DISHWASHER, WASHING MACHINE, OR BATH TUB. And there's nothing like a second chance.
Regards,
Alan

FlyViper

Well the good thing is I haven't used any of those for car parts...yet. Thus, the wife is unsuspecting. It's always better to ask for forgiveness than for permission!