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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Fiero Seats and MGB Seat Belts

Hi

I have a set of Fiero seats with seat belt slots installed in my 74.5 mgb roadster.
The seat belts springs are not strong enough to properly retract the seat belts with the added friction of going through the Fiero seat slot.
With a 31 year old car it is entirely possible that the seat belt springs are a little worn.
Of course what I would like to have happen, is to have the seat belt retract properly through the slot.
I have heard of http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/main.htm and will contact them as well to see if their rebuild will have enough strength to pull the belts through.
I was wondering what other people have done? Is there a direct bolt in seat belt replacement from another car?

Thanks


Bruce

Bruce Mills

The slots in the back of the seats are designed more for a racing harness type of restraint system...I don't know if I would want to change the geometry of the factory belt to that extent.

Is there a reason that the shoulder belt of the factory set-up cannot travel across the side of the seat and the driver/passenger shoulder as did the original?

FWIW

rick
rick ingram

Hi Rick

No, there is no reason the seat belts "cannot travel across the side of the seat and the driver/passenger shoulder as did the original". And for the first driving season after I installed the seats, they did just that. But with the seat belt slots, the belts are no longer just laying on the seat or the inner rocker panel. Looks neater.
I would like to renew the webbing any way and figured I might as well up-grade at the same time.

Bruce
Bruce Mills

Ssnake-Oyl is a very reputable company...they deal primarily with re-webbing. I don't know if they refurbish the recoil mechanisms....

How do you plan on feeding the shoulder strap through the slot? If memory serves me correctly, you would have to feed the sill end of the belt, along with the mounting bracket and buckle through the seat back. I'm not saying that this cannot be done...but it seems rather cumbersome.

Send pictures when you're done...others may want to try this as alternatative mounting method!

rick
rick ingram

I have the slotted Fiero seats, and I don't have any idea how you can reduce the friction through the seat to an extent where the the belt will retract. I think it may cause wear on the leather and end up sawing through the seat stitching.
Like Rick said, those slots are designed for stationary race harnesses, not passive restraints. I commend you if you find a way to pull it off and would love to see pictures! Maybe contact Mr.Mike to see if he's encountered such an application.
Jeff Schlemmer

I've got the slotted Fiero seats as well...my seats are pictured on Mr.Mike's website. I used 3" harnesses.

I cannot see how this will work to your satisfaction, comfort, and safety using the factory belt and the seat belt slot in the Fiero seat.

FWIW

rick
rick ingram



Hi

I have contacted Ssnake-Oyl and so far they have told me “We do not have seat belts for vehicles newer than 1972. We have a generic 3 point but there has to be a 3 x 3 x 4 space to mount so will probably not work in your vehicle.”
I have sent off another e-mail asking if they actually build the spring part of the seat belt.

As you can see from the pictures, it wasn’t a problem getting the belt through the slot.
It does change the geometry of the seat belt a bit as it rubs against the roll bar but I don’t think this would adversely effect the operation of the seat belt.


http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat%20belts/picture%20150.jpg
http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat%20belts/picture%20151.jpg

Bruce


Bruce Mills

Sorry the link should be

http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat belts/picture 150.jpg
http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat belts/picture 151.jpg
Bruce Mills

Sorry guys this my first attempt at posting pictures.
If these links don’t work, then just copy and paste

http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat belts/picture 150.jpg

http://www.user.dccnet.com/mgbv8/index.html/seat belts/picture 151.jpg
Bruce Mills

This thread was discussed between 28/05/2006 and 06/06/2006

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