C3 seat belts

[pcf_mark]

What are you guys doing for belts? I have the old lap belts and they scare me. What are you doing for a three point system with a retractor type shoulder belt? Looking for some ideas within the stock mounting points or with a six point bar installed.

Anyone messed with a retro fit from C4/5/6?

I laugh at the stock mounting points...

 

[Fuelie74]

What year C3 do you have? Is it a coupe or a vert? I replaced the belts in my 74 with 4th gen F body rear seat belt. My only complaints are they hit me to high (neck/high shoulder area) and they are short. Not to short but another couple inches wouldn't hurt. Now if I had a vert or earlier C3 with the belt running threw the seat back I think they would be perfect length. If I would of had the budget I would of used new replacement belts but, funds were tight and I was able to do the swap for $30. Let me know if you are interested in using F body belts, I can help you with some more info.

 

[pcf_mark]

I have a '68 coupe. Did you use lap and shoulder or lap only?

Also what did you mount them to? I have '60 that was in a minor accident and the rivets holding the seat belt mounts in distorted and some shear. The floor has some cracks in it too. That type of mounting does not seem too strong....

 

[MYBAD79]

93-02 F-body rear seat belts will fit your 68 - usually $50 on ebay or try www.car-parts.com

Unfortunately these do not fit the later 78-82 C3s so I had to get the repro set from MidAmerica..... :crap:

 

[pcf_mark]

How do they mount? Any pictures? Thanks this is very helpful.

 

[red74]

I installed these last summer.

 

[JPhil]

If I may say, I find the 'through the seat' shoulder belts, as on my 73 coupe, to be a royal pain-in-the-ass. Every time I have to get in the back by swinging the seat forward they are in the fucking way. I about threw my back out replacing the battery. I would much prefer the later style with the loop up on the side pillar, neck-chafing or not. But I gotta research (& fabricate, I'm sure) the mount backing and then get the parts & bullshit to update them. So I'll probably just piss & moan about them and do nothing......

 

[MYBAD79]

The earlier C3s have the retractor mounted flat (horizontal) like the later F-body rear belts. These F-body belts are pretty much a simple bolt on solution....
Later C3s have the retractor mounted vertically so the F-body belts don't work, they would be constantly locked. There's a switch/lock in there that locks the belt in either sharp cornering or braking/accelerating (pendulum switch).

That's one thing to check when using used belts: shake them and make sure they lock, listen for the clicking noise when you shake the retractor.

 

[pcf_mark]

Red74 -I have not this type since the 60's. Are these the F car belts? These use two separate belts - lap and shoulder harness that clips on right?

 

[red74]

Red74 -I have not this type since the 60's. Are these the F car belts? These use two separate belts - lap and shoulder harness that clips on right?

Those are Corvette seatbelts. In 1974 there were 5,474 convertibles produced and standard issue was lapbelts only. Coupes were different. Buyers could opt for RPO A85-Custom Shoulder Belts ($41.00) but only 618 units were so equipped. Yes, the shoulder clips onto the lap via a round stud. And as stated above they can be a pain at times when buckling up as you are fighting two sensitive retractors. But once buckled up they are fine.

 

[Theiskell]

If you go with the newer F-body belts you will need to make a bracket to relocate the belt housing to the top of the fender well. On the 68-69 the original mounting point was on the side of the well. Here is a pic of what you will need, but other than this they are bolt in.

 

[pcf_mark]

Thanks for the photo - very helpful. You did a nice job picking up the contour of the floor too. Is that counter sunk bolt the only attachment to the car?

Any racers or people who have been in a accident want to comment on the factory riveted plate under the floor? Is it good enough or add something under it?

 

[Theiskell]

Thanks for the photo - very helpful. You did a nice job picking up the contour of the floor too. Is that counter sunk bolt the only attachment to the car?

Yes, but there is a pin that sticks out to keep it from rotating. You can see it in the picture.

 

[010752]

Thanks for the photo - very helpful. You did a nice job picking up the contour of the floor too. Is that counter sunk bolt the only attachment to the car?

Any racers or people who have been in a accident want to comment on the factory riveted plate under the floor? Is it good enough or add something under it?

If the car has a glass floor, then there are cables attached to the mount plant and frame.

Metal floor not necessary.

 

[010752]

Thanks for the photo - very helpful. You did a nice job picking up the contour of the floor too. Is that counter sunk bolt the only attachment to the car?

Yes, but there is a pin that sticks out to keep it from rotating. You can see it in the picture.

Just bend it out of the way, works fine.

 

[pcf_mark]

There is a cable on the inner brackets (transmission side). The outer ones (door side) look like they are threaded into the stell channel under the door sill. The shoulder harness in the read (as shown in the photo) does not have a cable just a thin plate and four rivets. It all seems a little hokey to stop your weight in an accident. Shopping for F car belts...

 

[blckslvr79]

Unfortunately these do not fit the later 78-82 C3s so I had to get the repro set from MidAmerica..... :crap:

Same here. I'll second that they suck! One year old and the edges are frayed already. They also suck pulling them out. They lock up every few inches. Total junk! I'll be getting an OEM set re-webbed unless we have a different option?