3 point seatbelts, attaching?

[robert_ellison]

I have a BJ-7 and just purchased 3 point seatbelts: (each side and across shoulder belt). How and where is the 3rd, shoulder mounting point, mounted?

Thank you,

Robert

 

[roscoe]

Robert,
This is an issue I've been thinking about as well. Ideally (for safety purposes), all of our cars should have a sturdy roll bar which incorporates a head pad. The shoulder harness should be attached to something that is at or above shoulder height. There is obviously no hard point like this in the normal Healy configuration. If we had a roll bar we could run the shoulder harness near the top of that and over your shoulder. This avoids being allowed to pivot forward in the event of a collision resulting in excessive forward motion as well as compressive loads on the spine. What we probably do not want to do is attach the shoulder harness too far below shoulder height (say to the wheel well or floor area) and then up over the shoulder. If we had more substantial seat structure (and I mean WAY more substantial seat structure), and the ability to have a rigid or locking seat back, we could use the seat itself as a hard point for the shoulder harness. It is the main reason I'm considering a roll bar. I think I'm going to fabricate one myself because I have not yet seen one that nearly matches the attractive lines of my BN-2. I'm actually thinking of something that acts more like a hard point for the shoulder harness (i.e. follows the line of the top of the seat back) than an actual roll bar. I'M really looking for protection in a slow speed front end collision. Something that might keep my chest off of that beautiful trafficator. If anyone has already solved this issue I'd love a description or photo. On the other hand maybe it is simply a risk worth taking in order to finish the restoration and just drive the car. In the aviation world there is a saying that at some point it is time to fire the engineers and just go fly the airplane.

JOn

 

[JamesWilson]

How its done on a British BJ8:

Hope this helps.

 

[Keoke]

Yep except that is a very late model car. The earlier cars will have a pair of studs in that same location that require a special anchor bit to install the shoulder strap.--Fwiw---Keoke

 

[shorn]

I used just one of the pair of studs to install the third point on my ph 1 BJ8. I thought it looked better than the adapter.

 

[Keoke]

I used just one of the pair of studs to install the third point on my ph 1 BJ8. I thought it looked better than the adapter.

Well, I guess you just cheated the man Shorn. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif The proper fitting is available from British Car Specialties and works best if you use the tonneau cover--Keoke

I probably should have emphasized that the security of the shoulder belt is significantly enhanced when both studs are used at the anchor point.

 

[tahoe healey]

You may wish to consider the Moss detachable 3 point reatraint if you use a tonneau cover. One part of the belt over the shouder goes through the flap/hole in the tonneau.

 

[jstmorris]

Hello Robert; The Austin Healey Club of Southern Ontario web site contains a bulletin on seat belts in early Sprites,100-6 and 3000 roadsters in pdf format. Although dated Nov 1961 and not for the convertible, the installation instructions may apply to the BJ7 model. I obtained this bulletin from a series of BMC/BL technical and service bulletins; specifically, from Austin Service Journal 1961-11-16 A437. It shows the anchor fittings for both the driver and front passenger use. Hopefully this will be of some help.
https://www.ahcso.com/Tech%20Talk/Seat%20Belts/Seat%20Belt-ASJ.pdf
--Scott Morris

 

[robert_ellison]

Thanks everyone! I think that answers the issue.

Robert

 

[Dave Russell]

I'M really looking for protection in a slow speed front end collision. Something that might keep my chest off of that beautiful trafficator. If anyone has already solved this issue I'd love a description or photo. On the other hand maybe it is simply a risk worth taking in order to finish the restoration and just drive the car. In the aviation world there is a saying that at some point it is time to fire the engineers and just go fly the airplane.
JOn

'You'd better hope that it is a "slow speed front end collision".

Note that the steering column itself extends to nearly the front of the car. Being firmly belted in could just as likely result in you being held in place while the whole steering column is driven back into your body.

Cape International has a U jointed collapsible steering column which would do much to prevent getting speared, if you are "really" concerned.

These cars just weren't made when collision safety was much of a consideration. A cosmetic roll bar won't help much either, if the car gets upside down. The windshield will certainly collapse & offer no protection.

I guess it's a matter of what makes you feel safe. Or "just go fly the airplane".
D