Seat Belt anchors

[Gary F.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

In-board seat anchor removed showing the depressions from the flat side of the rivet on the fiberglass floor.................63 Coupe.....

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

Tracy: Certainly agree with the above as "standard practice". But take a look at a C2 spare tire compartment lid, specifically the "Y" brace rivets. The shanks are dome shaped. Suggests to me that the bucking bar was on the flat head side and a concave set was used on the shank. Actually, one of my cars has circular witness marks on the strap around the rivets.

And many other riveted-on items have domed shank ends, not flat from a bucking bar. What do we conclude? Maybe the engineers didn't like the idea of driving the flat rivet head against the fiberglass layer? Mike

We can conclude in this case that the rivet were Butt driven. Certainly not unreasonable to think this happened on any given day. That why I used the word "typically" in my post. Just another tidbit, a "universal" rivet set would form a dome shape like you describe. They come in various sizes and are selected based on the size of rivet to be driven. A Flat "pancake" rivet set is used on countersunk or flat head rivets.

tc

[Alan D.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

The gussets did not appear until sometime in April 1964. The judges should catch that one, however its your car and do not believe the point deduction will be significant. Know I get reductions for things I'm not going to change!.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

What ever terminology would be correct here is not the issue. The point is to peen the solid rivets while backing the heads against the fiberglass floor, sufficient access is required under the car. Weather one bucks the head or the shank is their choice. It would still require sufficient space. I think you will find most restorers peen the rivet shank. As this method allow for better seating of the head against the fiberglass floor while securing the brace on the opposite side against the fiberglass. thank you for sharing your background and information.

We can go on forever here Gene, but the "point" in all of this is a 6" lift is more than adequate to do the job with factory results. Speaking for "most restorers" is a stretch and your claim that "peening the shank of the rivet allow for better seating of the head against the fiberglass" is ridiculous.

tc

[Gene M.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

............. Speaking for "most restorers" is a stretch and your claim that "peening the shank of the rivet allow for better seating of the head against the fiberglass" is ridiculous.

tc

I never said that. Any further discussion as far as I'm concerned is worthless.

[David F.]

Re: Seat Belt anchors

Thank you all for your responses. I'm always learning from discussion with other VETTE owners. However, my 63 Vette with a 65 frame as well as other short cuts will never be a NCRS show car. It will be a good looking driver only. I do not wish to start over with a total disassemble to remove the body. I was only looking for some insight on what was needed to be removed in order to lift the body (an inch or two) get clearance between the frame gusset and the fiber glass seat pan so I could install the outer seat belt brackets with either pop rivets or some other fastener. I am really uncomfortable driving without any seat belt. THANKS AGAIN for all your input.