69 convertible seat belts

[Klaus Friedrich #33362]

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 convertible seat belts

Klaus------

The seat belt guide bracket bolts are 3/8-16 X 13/16", however 3/8-16 X 1" will work just fine. They are standard hex head bolts with non-captive lock washer. Use SAE grade 8. You will have lots of fun installing these. GM "kindly" provided no reliefs in the brackets for the bolt heads. So, it's near-impossible to get a wrench on the bolt heads. The bolt-head-to-bracket fit is so tigh that even a special thin-wall socket will not do the trick.

The under seat, primary seat belt bolt (one each side) is a special bolt. It is NOT a standard bolt and I would not attempt to use a standard bolt. This bolt is 1/2-13 X 1-3/8". However, it has a special, increased diameter, unthreaded shank. This bolt has major safety implications; you want to use the correct bolt. You can obtain reproductions from Dr. Rebuild, Paragon and others.

The inner seat belt retaining nut is also a special nut. It is 7/16-20 but it is a special thin nut with non-standard diameter hex head and locking threads. Once again, you should use the proper nut. These should be available from Dr. Rebuild and Paragon as well as, I'm sure, others.

[Klaus Friedrich #33362]

Re: 69 convertible seat belts

Joe,

thank you very much. You're a really big help.

We travel to Southern Austria (Kaernten) next week for Corvette meeting. And my new girlfriend don't want to travel without seat belts. And, she's right!

Again, thank you

Klaus