There was some talk that I should install shoulder belts in my 65 Sedan. It makes sense to do it at this time as the headliner and carpet are out. And I do understand the importance of them in a 65 without having even a collapsible steering column. There is no good reason not to do it.
I just want to start a thread about it, who has done it, and how did they install them. In particular, how does one install the top guide mount into the roof rail ensuring it's strong enough? The 65 has no provisions for it.
A quick glance around finds me looking at a pair from Retro Belt, decent price, and a good selection of colours.
Lets gather all we can on the subject.
Here is a list of links for Vendors and posts on conversions I've gathered. Any others you find post them and we'll put them here. Maybe do a sticky on it.
Well, I'll start out by assuming that I'll need some kind of plate for the upper mount. The 65 sedan at least has nothing existing. Apparently the 66 and up coupe's got one. The rectangular bulge is for the coat hook.
There doesn't seem to be enough meat in the sedan pillar post to get anything of substance behind, so I'd think the upper rail would be a good (only) spot for it.
1/8" plate, rounded edges (so to resist pull through) with a NF nut welded on behind. Make it cover as much surface area as possible. Drilled for rivets. Make a template for the hole locations, drill the rail to match, slip the plate in, line it up and rivet it in. Use washers between the roof rail and the rivet heads. The bolt hole could be moved more forward to keep the belt mostly out of view from outside, but you really need some good drape angle to make it most effective.
Would it be usefully strong, could it hold in an impact?
Thoughts,
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Yeah I think it would hold. Your angle on your fastening is such that it is more of a shear pressure. Either way it will slow you down so you only hit with part of the impact that you previously would have. Not so much shoulder belt bruising that way.
I think anything is better than nothing. Even if the roof buckles it has absorbed some of the impact and the car is toast anyway, while hopefully you are not. As Jerel says that angle is largely a shear force so the bolts will very likely hold.
It would be better if you could faster from behind with a reinforcing plate but that may not be possible.
If I could do only three mods on a mid 60's Pontiac, it would be: Disc brakes, shoulder harness, and radial tires.
The idea would be to have it slip in behind the rail stamping. There is a decent sized gap to slip it in between the roof panel and the top of the rail stamping. The nut protruding might be an issue.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I had the entire floor up to and including the firewall and the interior of the trunk section sprayed with Lizard Skin a couple of years ago.
To do the roof meant removing and destroying the headliner. To Lizard Skin the roof and replace the headliner I was quoted $1000.00. The new headliner had to have the sail panels glued in place.
Something to consider when the time comes to put the headliner back up
Gee.... it's fun spending other peoples money!
You might find some info on Chevy Talk re seat belt roof rail installation.
It's all good Cliff. I've got the ceiling sound deadened with a layer of EzCool on top. I now have a headliner on hand to install. Plan to try to install it myself.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I've been looking at a spot that would be suitable to mount the retractor. It appears they may be too large to mount at the original floor point. Might be trapped between a closing door and the seat side. Maybe not.
So perhaps it would be better to mount it down low and behind the seat. With the seat full back, the lower star and circle in the images would be close to where the bolt might be. Try to keep both mountings in a line that would keep the belt somewhat behind the pillar? A person entering the back seat could push the unbuckled webbing aside and slip in no problem. More difficult with it mounted beside the seat.
One issue with the mount behind the seat. It would need a decent sized floor reinforcement panel to be fitted in between the frame and floor. Not a lot of room to slip it in from what I can see from checking. I could see the floor having to have a C shaped slot cut, pried open, slip the plate in, rivet it then close and weld up the slot.
Check out seatbeltsolutions.com or retrobelt for detailed instructions. ill post some info later- my turn to cook dinner tonight. Ill keep an eye on this thread.
picture is the roof line brackets, the size is approximately 3 1/4 x1 1/2 .
-- Edited by pontiax on Monday 18th of January 2021 07:49:05 PM
