Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

[Terry B.]

I am requesting help with the tag(s) portion on original 1968 Shoulder Harnesses. I need pictures or descriptions of what is written on the tag or tags on just the shoulder harnesses. There is a question as to the accuracy of the TJM on the '68 portion on page 4 and 5 in regard to the Shoulder Harness tag(s). How many tags and what is written on each of them.

If you are able to reply to this request, please give your approximate build date and if your car is a coupe or convertible, too.

Thanks for your help,

[Tom H.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Hey Terry !

Here's a good shot of a 68 coupe belt setup. You can see the tags pretty well. I found the photo on the forum. Not my photo so I can't take credit ! The poster stated these belts were original.

[Rich G.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

In that picture there seems to be 2 belts on one anchor...my 68 coupe is not that way.

I have the same label 23E68, on the shoulder belts but no label about height restriction

My lap belts have a warning label on them about "extending fully from the retractor", but 68 has no retractor. Lap belts also have the 23E68.

This car was built mid July 1968 and I thought these belts were original.

Curious

Rich

[Tom H.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

I don't know, Rich. I found those pictures doing a search. I don't have a 68 around here to look at right now.

[Terry M.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Rich,
Don't the shoulder and lap belt both anchor to the same inner mounting point?

[Rich G.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Terry

You're right. Sometimes I amaze even myself by my lack of observational skills. Seat belts have TWO parts.

The warning label about height is on the end of the belt that's anchored along with the lap belt. The 23E68 is on the other half of the belt which is anchored behind the seat.

Still wondering about the retractor warning on the lap belt. Did some 68's have retractors?

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

The only 1968 I spent any time with was a very late car -- M08 as I remember -- and it has no retractors. I will do some looking at some documentation I have at home, though.

[Reba W.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

I have seen one early '68 that had retractors, similar to those on mid-years. Many parts on this car were marked "pilot."

[Rich G.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Thanks Reba

Anybody else see this warning label on their 68 lap belts regarding "retractors"?

Rich

[Jim T.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Thanks Reba

Anybody else see this warning label on their 68 lap belts regarding "retractors"?

Rich

Rich in my 68's owners manual on page 32 it states "For retractor equipped belts, pull the restarctor half of the belts to a solid stop to make sure the belt webbing is completely unwound from the retractor drum, then connect the belt amd make the necessary adjustments at the buckle for the proper fit."

The retractor equipped belt would be on the drivers left and the passengers right and goes underneath the seat. The retractor if equipped would be inside the black plastic housing. There is more on this in the archives.

[Jack C.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

My February built 68 (sn#9643) has no mention of retractors on the tags.

[Reba W.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Question for Jim: Is your manual a first or second edition?

[Jack C.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

In the First Edition, retractors are mentioned under OCCUPANT RESTRAINT BELTS on page 32 and SHOULDER BELTS, CARE of BELTS on page 33.

[Terry M.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

My first quick run through of the 1968 documentation I have shows no retractors, but since it is difficult to establish a negative I want to look more deeply.

The kind of add-on retractors those mid-years had were commonly available from auto parts stores in the '60s. Unless support for their inclusion from St Louis can be found in the AIM, I wouldn't put much stock in them. Where are the mid-year retractors shown in their AIMs? I don't have any of those AIMs. A UPC and page number for the mid-year retractors would help me.

[Reba W.]

Re: Original '68 Shoulder Harness Help Needed

Thanks. That helps us with our 1968-69 manual revision, presuming it is not in the second edtion? Can anyone with one of those comment please?