Seat Belt holddown bolts

[Kurt B.]

I would like to know if the bolts that held the seatbelt braket to the floor of my 68 coupe are available for purchase anywhere. I had to drill them out several years ago to remove the belts as part of the restoration process. If memory serves me, they were dome shaped and required use of an Allen wrench to remove, but I could be wrong. I am trying to install the brackets that hold the seatbelts but need new bolts. Any input appreciated
Thanks
Kurt # 26406

[Terry F.]

Re: Seat Belt holddown bolts

Kurt,
Any of the catalog companies will have them. They are identical except for one small detail which is the plastic insert that is implanted in the threads to keep them from backing out. Originals had a plastic filled slit in the threads and the repros that I have seen used a round plastic button.

If you have a junk yard with some 60's cars in them, you can usually find them there also. Some may have been zinc plated, I have seen some that were plain steel. In any case, they are available.

Terry

[Kurt B.]

Re: Seat Belt holddown bolts

Terry,
Thanks. Just looked in the GM parts book in section 14.875A and it looks like it is a 7/16 x 20 x 7/8 item part # was 3797466 but may since have been superceded. I will try a junkyard as you suggested.
Kurt

[Terry F.]

Re: Seat Belt holddown bolts

Try to find a car that was somewhat out of the weather. While you are there, look for 68 cars that have door jam latches in nice shape. They are the same as corvette and impossible to find. Check any fuse blocks and grab fuses also. Check for horn relays and voltage regulators. Grab thermostat housing off v-8's. Grab condensors off the coils and voltage regulators. Grab coils if you are familiar with numbers (see your local catalog). If you find any late 50's to 67 cars bring a very sharp utility knife and grab passenger car lap belts and buckles that are similar to corvette (anything that has erving on it). If you find lap belts in early 60's that say brown line, grab those also. Might as well support your hobbie while you are there! Trade it and sell it on ebay. Any gm car will do. Grab fan clutches if you run across them also. Learn to recognize them from restorer magazine. Stay away from any big rattle snakes!

Terry

[Kurt B.]

Terry, you crack me up *NM*

[Terry F.]

Re: Terry, you crack me up

I am glad I could make someone laugh. Here is a bigger joke. There was a junk yard near me that had about 200 cars in it ranging from 1960's to 1970 mainly. I was the walking joke out the there because there were no corvettes in that junk yard and I told them I was looking for corvette parts. They really thought that was funny and they made a big joke out of me. Eventually, the IRS caught up with them and the junk yard was taken away from me. Now it is just a wheat field. I probably spent less then 300 dollars there. I bet I sold over a couple thousand in parts to corvette people out of it. I'd be out there in the dead of winter (fewer snakes) with the snow up to the tops of the windshields. I loved it. I found all sorts of stuff from nuts and bolts to alternator, window cranks, washer pump parts, radiator caps, hose clamps (original dated one's), bolts with the correct head markings, gas caps. Redemption is when the yard guy says, "Oh, you can have that old gas cap" and you take it home and sell it on ebay for $75.00 because if fits a 60 corvette. I have sold voltage regulators for $100.00 that cost me $5.00 for a box of them. I still have several of those. T-3 headlights up the wazzuuu at one time. 68 nova has the same radio knobs as a 68 corvette, another $50.00. I was lucky because that junk yard was out in the country a ways. In the summer it was hot and the weeds were tall. Like being in a jungle, big game car parts hunter. Find a 67 4-door passenger car. The rear window cranks were usually in very nice condition. I sold a pair for around $100.00. It was fun. Wish there were more yards like that around. Just a hobbie. Terry

[Kurt B.]

Re: Terry, you crack me up

The snakes are what I don't like. You also have to really know your parts so you don't end up with a bunch of useless parts. Obviously you have this knowledge but not all of us do. Wish I could find some seatbelts or an old smog system. Smog systems are up there in price now I have heard and mine was missing when I purchased the car in 72. I am going to check out the junkyard in the next town from me tomorrow.
Kurt

[Terry F.]

Good luch hunting! Terry *NM*

[Terry F.]

Re: Terry, you crack me up

Don't forget to look in old trucks. Some of them survive well. Terry