My seatbelt install
My seatbelt install
I recently put a new headliner in and decided not to use the old shoulder belts. I didn't want use the old location or move forward either. So I mounted them like this.
Steve
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
- terribleted
- Posts: 4584
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Contact:
Re: My seatbelt install
Not sure such a low attaching point is safe for that anchor on a 3 point belt.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia
Re: My seatbelt install
My opinion is these cars were never really designed to have shoulderbelts. So any installation is a compromise. It took me a month to decide to do it this way as I did not want anything hanging from the roof.
Steve
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Re: My seatbelt install
I like it. I've been struggling with how to do 3-point belts without violating the openness of the pillar-less late coupe design...
I then saw the shoulder belt system and presenter on the new Buick Cascada! The retractor is in a similar position as this - with a cool motorized presenter. I could not locate a photo, but here is an Audi that is very similar...
Would love to see more build photos, how you reinforced the turning loop, and a seated position photo to see how it rides!
Nice job. Good luck with your project...
I then saw the shoulder belt system and presenter on the new Buick Cascada! The retractor is in a similar position as this - with a cool motorized presenter. I could not locate a photo, but here is an Audi that is very similar...
Would love to see more build photos, how you reinforced the turning loop, and a seated position photo to see how it rides!
Nice job. Good luck with your project...
BobWitt - South East Michigan
Member: Corsa and DACC
1966 Corsa 140
Follow my build at: viewtopic.php?f=52&t=9082"
Member: Corsa and DACC
1966 Corsa 140
Follow my build at: viewtopic.php?f=52&t=9082"
Re: My seatbelt install
http://www.wescoperformance.com . Its up to the installer to decide where they want to put it. I made a temporary bracket out of sheetmetal to lay over top edge and down into window channel . I attached turn buckle to it. That way I could move it back and forth to get it in a position that was right for me.
Thanks for the comments. Sorry I don't have any installation photos. I used the mountng bracket supplied by seatbelt supplier , Steve
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
- terribleted
- Posts: 4584
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Contact:
Re: My seatbelt install
Cars that use a low mounting point (and there are a few) feed the belt thru a strong loop on the seat back to keep it in position high on the shoulder near the neck. With nothing to hold it in position there it is likely to slip down off the shoulder during a violent crash and not restrain the upper body like it should. That said if you are in a truly violent frontal crash in a Vair the biggest issue is likely to be the steering wheel coming up and smacking you in the face restrained at the shoulder or not.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia
My seatbelt install
Like Ted said, I would maybe grab a guide off of an 80s Camaro or something. It hangs f the seat. I'd be worried about crushing your collarbone and shoulder in the event of a crash, but I could be wrong.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-Steve
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
Re: My seatbelt install
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I've installed lots of roll cages and harness systems.
Shoulder harnesses should ideally be mounted +/- 10 degrees above or below the shoulder, or routed through or over a secure point that is- like a cross brace or a solid seat back that is designed to withstand that type of load.
With a harness mounting point that low in relation to the shoulder, the tightening effect of the belt as your body moves forward in a frontal crash will have a tendency to crush your spine. Serious injury could result including shoulder injury, ruptured discs and crushed vertebrae.
Shoulder harnesses should ideally be mounted +/- 10 degrees above or below the shoulder, or routed through or over a secure point that is- like a cross brace or a solid seat back that is designed to withstand that type of load.
With a harness mounting point that low in relation to the shoulder, the tightening effect of the belt as your body moves forward in a frontal crash will have a tendency to crush your spine. Serious injury could result including shoulder injury, ruptured discs and crushed vertebrae.
Re: My seatbelt install
No I don't think you're raining on anyone's parade, you could be saving a life, or at least saving someone from some extensive medical recovery and bills.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-Steve
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
Re: My seatbelt install
I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.
Steve
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Re: My seatbelt install
Hi Steve,steve57 wrote:I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.
I have a 65 vert and when/if I do front shoulder belts, I'll have to do pretty much exactly as you've done. I too saw some documentation, not exactly sure where I found it, that specifies what you've done (and what I would) are as you've said, within the recommended angle range.
Chris
New York
1965 Monza Convertible -- 110/PG
New York
1965 Monza Convertible -- 110/PG
Re: My seatbelt install
steve57 wrote:I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.
I wasn't trying to be negative at all. Style wise it's absolutely perfect. I'm no safety engineer either, I was simply pointing out my concerns which could be non-issues completely. Either way, it's got to be better than meeting the dash with your face or being ejected through the windshield.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-Steve
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
Re: My seatbelt install
Lostboy , my use of the word negative was just saying they possibly disliked what l did. Your comment was about someone elses post. Everyone has their own opinions on this type of seatbelt install and I respect that. . My last post was just giving my reasons why I installed my seatbelts this way. Thanks for your comments.
Steve
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Bakersfield,CA
1969 monza coupe
110, 4speed
Re: My seatbelt install
Great piece of information Cman. If ever I'm in an accident while in the Corvair I want to have the proper safety harness. I'm going with the Sebring seats.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Charles
Long Beach, CA
1966 Monza
Turbo 180
Hurst 4spd
Long Beach, CA
1966 Monza
Turbo 180
Hurst 4spd
Re: My seatbelt install
This.Cman wrote:With a harness mounting point that low in relation to the shoulder, the tightening effect of the belt as your body moves forward in a frontal crash will have a tendency to crush your spine. Serious injury could result including shoulder injury, ruptured discs and crushed vertebrae.
Very amicable trying to improve the lap-belt on an original Corvair, but unfortunately this is likely to cause injury even in a low-speed accident .. probably spinal compression.
Here in Australia (and most likely in USA) this type of belt would be illegal. On a pillarless hardtop you would need to mount to the roof with a suitably re-inforced mounting point.