OTS seat belt anchor plugs

[andrewh]

My US import 66 series one OTS has some sort of hard plastic plugs in the rear bulkhead seat belt fixings. Not sure why, but perhaps it was a factory fitment if belts were not specified. Anyway, I cannot get these plugs out and whilst I have tried drilling and picking it out of the thread I am not wining. Anyone found a suitable solution, or even experienced the same? If the car was not painted I could have burnt then out but now its all done and ready to fit the belts I rather need to get them out. A taper tap may do it?

[Mark Gordon]

Not sure how far you've gone with the removal (a photo would be helpful), but if you've reached the point where you're able to access the threads, how about a tap of suitable size run through the hole as if you were tapping a screw hole?

[andrewh]

thank you Mark. I have now solved the problem with a bit of brute force. Basically, the plastic plugs that were in the holes were very very hard indeed and totally blended in to the aperture with paint. I drilled out the centre with a twist drill and then got a very small chisel and knocked it away from the thread. Once I had done this I was able to pick them out with a hook pick and then clean the threads with a tap. I probably posted too early, but was struggling with a technique in fear of damaging the captive thread. All sorted now . thanks

[Philk]

I am in the process of recommissioning an imported '64 S1 OTS prior to UK MOT and registration. It had non-factory seatbelts installed in the US. These are in pretty good condition but are lap-belts only (i.e. only bolted in two positions). SNG only stock three point belts. Two quick questions..... Were 3 point belts fitted in the S1 in the UK at the time (and, if so, where is the upper mounting point)? Would 2 point belts be acceptable for MOT if they are period to the car?

[andrewh]

I am not sure about at 64 3.8, but on my 66 4.2 the tapped and plugged holes are in the bulkhead behind the seat, on a horizontal panel . can photo if its not obvious to you.

[Philk]

I am not sure about at 64 3.8, but on my 66 4.2 the tapped and plugged holes are in the bulkhead behind the seat, on a horizontal panel . can photo if its not obvious to you.

That would be very helpful - it is not obvious to the sight under the earlier restored coverings.

[rfs1957]

Some good guidance and ideas here.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5041&hilit=belts

[Heuer]

Phil

The MOT only requires seat belts to be in good working order if they are fitted. Most pre-1965 cars are not required by law to have seatbelts, but for most post-’65 cars and all older cars that have had seatbelts retro-fitted, the belts must be in good condition with no frays, correctly functioning buckles and solid corrosion-free mounting points. Lap belts will not be accepted. Fit them when you are ready to do so - these people are good: http://www.quickfitsbs.com/

[Bfastr]

for reference only, not sure this helps or applies to earlier cars, but here is a shot of the rear bulkhead in my 69 S2. you can see the threaded anchors for the lap belts. if you need better pix or more info let me know, the interior is out at the moment. they werent the intended target of this shot. I can measure or zero in if needed

[rfs1957]

There is an important distinction between the OTS belts supplied by the two UK suppliers referred to repeatedly in all the seat-belt posts.

As far as I am aware, the one that supplies "well-known-restorers in Shropshire" only supplies a version that exits through the top of the rear bulkhead and has to make a 90° turn before aiming for your shoulder.

Such an exit furthermore compounds the problems of retraction due to interference with the hood-frames and bag.

The firm declined my request to supply any alternative routing, and indeed steered me towards the second supplier.

This "other" firm offers the ChrisVine solution which involves a straight-and-unobstructed-pull through the vertical section of the bulkhead.

I would now not use any other method on my OTS as the interference of the 90° system with the hood means that the system fails to keep adequate tension at all times on the belt ; this is dangerous, as on many occasions it can leave slack that would allow you to move a certain distance forward before the belt checked your motion.

[Bfastr]

I have come the the conclusion that the original non retracting belts in my S2 are not there for life saving. They are merely to allow the officials at the scene of the accident to identify seating position of the deceased.