When I installed the driver side outboard seatbelt in my midyear coupe, I believe the welded nut on the outside broke loose, so now the bolt spins in place. Two questions: 1-What is the best way to remove the bolt so I can replace the seatbelt. 2-How do I go about attaching the new seatbelt if the nut on the outside of the cage has broken loose from its weld(other than separating the body from the frame). Any help with this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo
I just went through this LAST WEEK!! I first used just a hacksaw blade (only the blade) and cut the bolt accessing it via underneath the car. It is a tight area but it can be done. It took a long time but I did it. Paragon has good repro bolts. On my '63 the nut is welded to the corner seat belt anchor plate which is just glued to the fiberglass. I am not sure if in future years there were rivets. I CAREFULLY pryed the anchor away from the fiberglass. I then looked for replacement anchors. All the ones I 've seen have a large hole in the middle to accept the body bolt which is only on the side near the drive shaft tunnel.(but can be used for the outside anchors) The 'outside' anchors do not have the large hole so I decided to reuse the original. I then had a nut welded to the original anchor and attached it back using J B Weld. It will take time and make sure you clean and have a rough surface to accept the glue. Good luck
Mike -
Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo
I just went through this LAST WEEK!! I first used just a hacksaw blade (only the blade) and cut the bolt accessing it via underneath the car. It is a tight area but it can be done. It took a long time but I did it. Paragon has good repro bolts. On my '63 the nut is welded to the corner seat belt anchor plate which is just glued to the fiberglass. I am not sure if in future years there were rivets. I CAREFULLY pryed the anchor away from the fiberglass. I then looked for replacement anchors. All the ones I 've seen have a large hole in the middle to accept the body bolt which is only on the side near the drive shaft tunnel.(but can be used for the outside anchors) The 'outside' anchors do not have the large hole so I decided to reuse the original. I then had a nut welded to the original anchor and attached it back using J B Weld. It will take time and make sure you clean and have a rough surface to accept the glue. Good luck
MikeComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Mike:
Thanks for your response. I'll give it a try and get back to you.
AngeloComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Mike:
Thanks for your response. I'll give it a try and get back to you.
AngeloComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo,
My 63 was built on 12-06-62 and it had rivets holding the
seatbelt plate to the floor. There was also some type of sealer
between the floor and plate. My guess is to seal out water.
Regards,
Don 31553Comment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo,
My 63 was built on 12-06-62 and it had rivets holding the
seatbelt plate to the floor. There was also some type of sealer
between the floor and plate. My guess is to seal out water.
Regards,
Don 31553Comment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo,
Thought I wasn't sure about the rivets. Lets try to get a response from Duke Williams. He responds to this board quite often. He has a 63 SWC that was built the same day as mine March 19, 1963 and he has had it since NEW. I will try to get him to go check his car. Hold on for a further response.
MikeComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
Angelo,
Thought I wasn't sure about the rivets. Lets try to get a response from Duke Williams. He responds to this board quite often. He has a 63 SWC that was built the same day as mine March 19, 1963 and he has had it since NEW. I will try to get him to go check his car. Hold on for a further response.
MikeComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
The outside seat belt gussets on my March 19 built SWC have eight large rivets securing it to the floorpan, but there is no reinforcement to the frame.
The gusset for the inside seat belt (both sides) has six rivets, and is also reinforced with a bolt that goes through the gusset to a bracket on the frame. The frame bracket and gusset are isolated by a rubber cushion between them. This is often referred to as a "body mount", but this is a misnomer.
Mike - if your seat belt gusset is not riveted to the floorpan, I would be suspect of it's performance in an emergency. The didn't crash test cars back then, and I've always been suspect of that outer gusset with no frame reinforcement. Later C2s had some cable reinforcements between the gussets and the frame.
DukeComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt removal and reinstallation
The outside seat belt gussets on my March 19 built SWC have eight large rivets securing it to the floorpan, but there is no reinforcement to the frame.
The gusset for the inside seat belt (both sides) has six rivets, and is also reinforced with a bolt that goes through the gusset to a bracket on the frame. The frame bracket and gusset are isolated by a rubber cushion between them. This is often referred to as a "body mount", but this is a misnomer.
Mike - if your seat belt gusset is not riveted to the floorpan, I would be suspect of it's performance in an emergency. The didn't crash test cars back then, and I've always been suspect of that outer gusset with no frame reinforcement. Later C2s had some cable reinforcements between the gussets and the frame.
DukeComment
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will do
Duke
I have some of the rivets. In fact I had to purchase a lot of fifty at a time!!! I was not sure if they were used or not. It is not a problem to use them on my seatbelt anchor plates Thanks again.
Angelo... I hope all this helps If you need some rivets, I will send them to you FREE I have plenty!!!
MikeComment
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will do
Duke
I have some of the rivets. In fact I had to purchase a lot of fifty at a time!!! I was not sure if they were used or not. It is not a problem to use them on my seatbelt anchor plates Thanks again.
Angelo... I hope all this helps If you need some rivets, I will send them to you FREE I have plenty!!!
MikeComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt etc.
Mike and Duke;
Thanks guys for the info. I haven't started the removal of the problem bolt yet, as I'm consumed with another little project on my 64 coupe. However, it is the very next thing on the agenda, since I anticipate the arrival of my new belts in a week or so. I had an opportunity to see a 67 roadster this week with the enterior entirely gutted. Observation of the outboard seat belt area by the door revealed the presence of the rivets which must be holding the plate and the welded nut on the outside. The question is, can I get to that nut and hold it while I back out the bolt or cut it as mentioned in your response. Then, if the rivets can be drilled out, is there enough room for the removal and reattachement of the plate after the nut is welded back on the plate. I haven't looked up in there yet so any info you guys have supplied me is greatly appreciated.
AngeloComment
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Re: seatbelt bolt etc.
Mike and Duke;
Thanks guys for the info. I haven't started the removal of the problem bolt yet, as I'm consumed with another little project on my 64 coupe. However, it is the very next thing on the agenda, since I anticipate the arrival of my new belts in a week or so. I had an opportunity to see a 67 roadster this week with the enterior entirely gutted. Observation of the outboard seat belt area by the door revealed the presence of the rivets which must be holding the plate and the welded nut on the outside. The question is, can I get to that nut and hold it while I back out the bolt or cut it as mentioned in your response. Then, if the rivets can be drilled out, is there enough room for the removal and reattachement of the plate after the nut is welded back on the plate. I haven't looked up in there yet so any info you guys have supplied me is greatly appreciated.
AngeloComment
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