66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

[Donald H.]

I have an extra set of seat belts for my 67 that I want to restore. I know I could set them to one of the restorers, but I would rather do it myself.

The buckles and tongues are in decent shape. The chrome is OK. I have the tops off the buckles, and I have been trying to slide the belt retainer out the back of the buckle. I have not been able to get them out so far.

After a search here and the Restorer CD that I have, I found one comment that said you need to unstitch the end of the belt and remove it from the retainer.

Has anyone successfully removed the retainer without taking the stitching out of the belt?

Thanks,

Don

[Russ S.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Yes I have but I have no belt buckles here and can't remember how to do it. It defiantly can be done.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

I have also taken 67 belts apart w/o unstitching anything . If I remember correctly internal rust was binding the internal parts which made it hard to disassemble but I did get them completely apart / keep at it . hope this helps Jeff

[Donald H.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Thanks for the help.

I just could not get the belt retainer out, so I just went ahead and took the stitching out and they came apart easily. I'm soaking the rusty parts in Evaporust now.

Next step is do I want to send them off to have new webbing stitched? I know the thread size is 207. I may see if I can buy some webbing and check with an upholstery shop to see if they could/would stitch for me.

Thanks again,
Don

[Gerard F.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Don,

Take a look at the fourth post down in similar posts.

The attachment is a Restorer article I wrote about the 66L-67 Seat belts.

Hope this helps.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Here's a better copy of the complete article

[Donald H.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Thanks Jerry, very helpful article.

Don

[Patrick B.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Don - When I restored my rusty 67 seatbelts I think got some replacement parts for the rusty internals from the Camaro parts place, Heartbeat City.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Pat,

Did you replace your seat belt webbing? If so, how did you get them sewn?

Don

[Patrick B.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Don --- I did not replace the webbing. I soaked the webbing in a solution of half water and half simple green for several days at a time and used a scrub brush to get them soft and clean again. The webbing was dark green and it cleaned up better than I expected. I had to cut the stitching to get the webbing out of the buckles, and I sent them to Seatbelt Sity to have just the rolled up end restitched. Regarding the new internal pieces, I think I got them from a place called Inline Tube rather than Heatbeat City.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Don --- I did not replace the webbing. I soaked the webbing in a solution of half water and half simple green for several days at a time and used a scrub brush to get them soft and clean again. The webbing was dark green and it cleaned up better than I expected. I had to cut the stitching to get the webbing out of the buckles, and I sent them to Seatbelt Sity to have just the rolled up end restitched. Regarding the new internal pieces, I think I got them from a place called Inline Tube rather than Heatbeat City.

Your correct. I just went to Inline Tube's website and they not only sell the internal parts to the buckle, but they have the top and bottom parts. I did not know that!

I think all of the parts I have will be usable, but it's good to know someone has them if needed.

I'll probably do what you did and send them off to have them stitched.

Thanks,
Don

[Gerard F.]

Re: 66L/67 seat belt buckle disassembly

Don,

Take a look at my article about the newer replacement pawl spring and belt retainer. I would recommend that you get the replacement pawl spring to eliminate "inertial unlatching", and the replacement belt retainer to take the belt off without unstitching it.

Have fun