C3 - getting the shoulder belt through the seat

[Mike Masters]

I am reinstalling the seats in my 72 coupe. When I bought it, the interior had been redone, but the should belts were not installed correctly. The plastic cover that goes over the buckle-to-webbing portion was stuck inside the shoulder harness pass-through hole in the seat, and the belt was being extended and retracted through the plastic cover. Of course this did not work very well.

As I reinstall the seat, I can see why it was left this way. I can not get the plastic cover to go through the hole in the seat back. I am guessing that the black and chrome trim plate on the front upper part of the seat back, through which the shoulder harness passes, must come off, but it is unclear to me as to how to get this off. The AIM is no help here since, as near as I can tell, the seats are shown installed as a completed unit. Can someone tell me how to get the sholder harness through the seat? Thanks!

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 - getting the shoulder belt through the sea

Mike if I understand your problem correctly and your 72 seats are exactly like my 70's shoulder belt system, the plastic piece you mention is the last thing to put on. After the belt/buckle goes through the seat back with out the plastic, then put the plastic on the end of the belt.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 - getting the shoulder belt through the sea

Mike To remove or install the buckle you must have the plastic web stop removed. To remove the plastic you need to heat it with a paint heat gun till it gets soft then you can pull it off or on. A hair dryer won't get it as it must be real hot.A piece of 1/8 X 1" bar stock rounded smooth and inserted inside the stop can be used to push it off but is usually only needed on the lap belts. To install the shoulder belt thru the seat turn the buckle upside down and insert it up thru the hole. Once it is thru flip the webing back over to it's normal position and install the web stop. It can be installed thru the metal on the back of the seat with it installed but may work better the first time you do it having it removed and placed on the webing before inserting the metal end upside down and towards the top.You do not need to remove the front trim and it wouldn't help anyway.A metal hook inserted in the hole in the buckle will help you be able to pull the web stop on. Lyle