Seat Belt mounting - another question

[Cutlass]

I have a (hopefully) final question regarding mounting seat belts on my 66 BJ8. The "clamshell-type belts supplied by Moss has two clip mounts, and one through bolt mount with plastic decorative covering. They come with two eye bolts and one hex bolt. So where does each go? The pictures I've seen in the Anderson/Moment Restoration Guide seem to suggest that the eye bolts go on the transmission tunnel and the floor. That would leave the hex bolt mount for the rear fender well. But there is a two bolt fixture already welded to the inner fender well. The two don't mesh. Kilmartin sells a mounting bracket for the floor, and a chrome mount for the fender well, but neither, of course, fits the Moss belt system. So is there a generally accepted answer to the "correct" seat belt with corresponding mounting system?

 

[GregW]

Hi Cutlass,
Yes, you are right. Eyebolts on the tunnel and floor for the clips on the belts. I think there were 2 types of screw mounts on the wheel arches. Earlier cars had a double attachment (what you have now). I think that is the only type sold these days. I could be wrong, but I couldn’t find the single thread mount to match what came off my ’67.

 

[tahoe healey]

Are you referring to the detachable belts? That is what I got from Moss. They are great. But I had the eye bolts mounted to the floor from tbe previous belts. They just clip in and allow for the belts to be put through the tonneau when needed. I like the floor mounting better than the trans cover. The cover could be pulled away in an accident. And would have to be removed each time you removed the cover to access the trans.

 

[GregW]

Hi TH,
Maybe our cars are set up differently, but there is less chance of my belts coming off the trans tunnel (actually the drive shaft tunnel) than the floor. Under the tunnel are 1/8” thick threaded steel brackets welded to the frame that the eyebolts screw into. An amusing side note: I have the original bill of sale that lists seat belts as an option for $15.95

 

[tahoe healey]

I have an early phase I and it may be different. Do you have to remove the eye bolts to get the tunnel off?

 

[Keoke]

No TH. the Eyebolts are integral to the tunnel and the tunnel is welded to the floor. You must use the tunnel Eyebolts regardless of which type belt You use.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[Cutlass]

Thanks, guys. Now I know that the two detachable ends of the three point belt go to the floor and drive shaft tunnel, attached with the eye bolts. No problem there. But that still leaves the fender well attachment, which has two 5/16" bolts welded into the chassis, and protruding into the rear seat area. The third end of the Moss belt system has a single bolt mount, either 3/8" or 7/16" diameter. I can certainly fabricate an interface, but what is the preferred method?

 

[GregW]

Hi Cutlass,
Here is a photo of my original mounting plate. As I mentioned earlier, I couldn’t find a replacement part for it. I wound up fabricating one out of threaded hex stock and a thick washer. I cut the hex stock to the same height as original so the seatbelt wouldn’t crush the side panel when bolted down. Before you do something like that, call Moss and explain which mounting bracket you have and see if they have a seatbelt designed for it.

 

[Keoke]

Well Cutlass, there are two types of over the shoulder type attachments in the cars.Cars post 1966 have a single anchor bolt on the wheel arch,while the earlier cars have the two bolt attachment bolts. Perhaps Mosses thoughts were that a single bolt hole could be used for either configuration simply by using a single bolt to attach it in the two bolt cars, However, as suggested I would check back with moss and see what they say.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[Cutlass]

I think that the real answer lies with British Car Specialists, who apparently has the mounting hardware for the newer belts, and the belts to go with it. This hardware does not use eye bolts. Anyone have experience with these products or approach?

 

[GregW]

I’m looking at the BCS catalog and the mounting hardware for the tunnel looks like a real bear, especially if the drive shaft is installed. In that same section they also have the “seat belt anchor bracket” with the two holes (page 29 top left). I don’t know if that particular piece needs to have the belt sewn to it. The Moss belt I have does not. This would let you keep most of what you have and just buy one piece (x2). To answer your last question, no.

 

[Keoke]

HI Cutlass here is another No Experience and yes its a bear of an installation. However, BCS also has the proper two bolt anchor to go on the end of the belt---Keoke

 

[Cutlass]

Installation is not a problem for me now, because I'm down to the bare chassis. I guess that if I weren't so cheap, I'd get a Concours guide. The answer is probably there.

 

[Keoke]

Well.Cutlass the answer was right there but I guess you missed it or as the old folks say "You Can't Get Blood Out of a Turnip".---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Cutlass]

Thanks, Keoke. Can you give me a hint, or is it impolite to ask for tips contained in a copyrighted book? I never intended for this restoration to be Concours quality, so I never bought the guide.

 

[Keoke]

Well Cutlass, if you order that part I mentioned earlier from BCS and that Greg pointed out is on page # 29 for the two bolt attachment you will be ok.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

 

[tahoe healey]

You all were right. I was going with my memory which it seems also to be going. The center mount is in the metal part of the tunnel. I just removed the bolt in the eye ring and clipped in the quick release clip. It's been a while, sorry for miss direction.