MG MGA seat belt options update? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net

MG MGA - seat belt options update?

The CSR kit is welded to the frame for the lower out side attach point. It is bolted to the tunnel for the inside point. The third attach is welded to the body behind your shoulder on the roadsters. This point must be welded in prior to paint work. Clarke's kit mimics the original mount points. The upper mount is different for the coupe, it mounts to the wheel arch. See attached picture for coupe.

R J Brown

HB Images attached. As I understand it, one attachment plate fits to the bottom rear of the tunneling; one underneath the floorboard rail close to the rear spring bracket (has to be cut to fit); and one fits to the rear inner wing (fender), with the strap going underneath the hood assembly. Steve

Steve Gyles

I have a 62 1600 MK11 that came with 3 point seat belts and I am installing seat belts in my 58 coupe. The Clarke kit matches the original mount points and belt appearance. The outer mount is welded to the frame as per original. It is $9.50 separately from CSR. To mount a belt elsewhere does not make sence to me. This picture is the MK11 as original right side. This piece can be welded in to any MGA.

R J Brown

This picture shows the original MK11 tunnel. On it sit 2 adapters for the tunnel. Your drill a 1 5/8 hole in the tunnel at the proper location then bolt the adapter to this inside of the tunnel with 6 small bolts. The picture shows the 3rd mount point adapter. The next picture shows there it mounts.

R J Brown

This is the 3rd mount point on a MK11 as original. Right side. It must be welded in prior to paint.

R J Brown

Has anyone fitted an inertia type seat belt to a Coupe. I'm presently restoring a 1960 and think that the inertia belt would be far more comfortable and positioned better on the shoulder. I saw one once and took several pictures of the car, but not specifically the belt mounting. However, if you zoom into the picture you can see the mount on the side of the door frame behind the door. BTW there's a rossette pinned to the belt. I think the owner said it came from a Volvo. Any help, Andy

Andy Preston

Seat belts - seeking originality is cheap, easy or quick – read on! Starting from the beginning – I decided last year if I wanted to carry on with club competition events (hill climb, motorkhana, sprints, etc.) I would need to upgrade my lap seats belts as the steering wheel can get quite close to your chin if you stop suddenly. While my car (1960) isn’t a concours queen, where I can I try and stick with original style bits (just a quirk of mine). The first task was to select and install mounting brackets – I went for Clarke Spares & Restorations (CSR) kit as it was highly recommended and copies the original equipment. No problem with delivery to Australia – faxed my order to Todd Clarke and bits were here in 2 weeks ($US75 + postage = $A139) – that was back Jan 2007. Tonneau anchorage – Contrary to what a lot of people think this can be welded in place without damaging the body paint work (as noted in instructions that came from CSR) – it takes care, a good welder and preparation. Remove the seats, hood frame, carpets, tonneau rail – use drop sheets to prevent weld splatter. The brackets may need a bit of squashing in a vice to fit between the gap in the rear bulkhead panel and the tonneau panel (one side did on my car). Pre-paint the brackets but leave ends unpainted – position and weld. My good friend Barry Gannon welded mine for a bottle of red – used a MIG welder. We used a damp cloths and a plastic milk container filled with water (and frozen) pressed against the paint work to keep it cool - it worked, no damage (see image attached). Tunnel anchorage – these can be either welded or bolted - I went for the bolted option. With seats, etc. and the carpeting removed from the transmission tunnel, locate the centre of the brackets and using a 1 ½” hole saw (good quality and another $A50)) drill through the tunnel (CSR instructions give centre location). You also need to remove the driveshaft so you can get at fixing screws. (see image attached) Frame anchorage – the original dimension of this bracket was 29 1/2” – 30 !/2”behind the front body brace mounting point – I gave mine an extra 21/2” that way they clear the back of the seat (there are several references to this in the archives and it is a must if you want to avoid damaging) – these are easy to weld in position – then jus t cut the carpet to fit around bracket. (see image attached) – If anyone is interested I have the CSR fitting instruction in pdf format and will email on request. For the belts I decided to get them from Bob West MGA Specialists (UK) - I eventually ordered them in May (it took me awhile to fit the anchorages!) – they eventually arrived this week (Oct) – Bob did tell me they would take awhile but I didn’t expect 5 months (we corresponded every month to check they were still coming). Quality is very good – grey webbing, chrome period catch, etc. (see image attached). They were pretty expensive (135 pound plus 25 pound freight = $A380) (any MCC Victoria club members who see this, don’t mention it when my wife is around or it will be another kitchen renovation or such). If I had my time over I most probably would have gone for a cheaper alternative – Scarborough Faire advertises 3 point original style for under $US100). A few odd things with Bob West belts; the frame clip, tunnel clip and adjusting buckle are cadmium plated yet the tonneau clip is chrome. The hole in the tunnel clip is 5/8” dia. yet the fixing bolt in the CSR pack is 7/16” dia. The hole in the frame clip is also 5/8” dia yet the quick release pin in the CSR frame attachment is ½” dia. (I have yet to take these anomalies up with Bob West but I don’t think there is much I can do now anyway but it is worth that others are aware). Note my belts are different to those that Steve Giles posted – his had the modern quick release clips where mine are supposed replicas of those shown on page SS.2 of the manual. If anyone has more details on the original factory option seat belts I would be interested to hear from them. Regards Mike

Mike Ellsmore

Gents, Here is the photo of the Bob West supplied belts (maybe it is solid gold under the chrome!) Mike

Mike Ellsmore

Photo of Beams seat belt buckle ends and webbing from J.C.Whitney

Garry Kemm

My belts were bought from JC Whitney too. I can't remember how long ago. I think sometime in the mid 1990's. They were Beams back then with a "Made in Korea" stamp. I found some used real MG belts at a swap met and stole the MG/Austin emblem from them and added them to my buckles using body molding tape. Almost look like real factory belts. Chuck

C Schaefer

and the final product....

C Schaefer

Keith, The bracket on short buckle strap which attaches to prop. tunnel is the same as the one which attaches to the chassis side rail fitting. The hole in these brackets are 15/32inch dia and need to be enlarged slightly to allow the 1/2inch dia quick release pin as supplied by Todd Clarke to be used. Garry

Garry Kemm

Attached is pic of Quick Fit period style lap and diagonal belt. Basic cost £110 (English pounds)per pair plus tax. Possible to replace plastic fittings with chrome for extra cost. Webbing colour from large range.

H BUCKELDEE

This thread was discussed between 02/10/2007 and 23/10/2007

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.