Replacement seat belt question - rigid sleeve length?

[Warty]

Hi All,

I recently acquired a 1970 240Z. It's in great shape for the most part, but there are a few things I want to work on in the interior. The car came with lap-only belts (as you would expect from a 1970 Z). I prefer not to put my head through the wooden steering wheel, so I am looking to install a 3 point harness. Oddly enough, there is already a shoulder mounting 3rd point on the car, but not used. I guess a PO wanted it to look more original, and took out that seat belt. I wish they hadn't taken out the original mounting bolts, and replaced them with regular bolts you'd get at a hardware store, but... 

Anyway, I'm ordering a replacement, and need some advice on the length of the buckle side rigid stalk/sleeve. 

Seatbelts plus has 6 and 12 inch versions:

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product/WSCH14134C-6.html

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product/WSCH14134C-12.html

Wesco has 8 and 11 inch versions:

http://www.wescoperformance.com/welr-seatbelt-bucket-help.html

The 6" looks short to me, the 12" feels like it might be too long. But I'm just guesstimating here.  From people who have installed these, what is your recommendation for length?

[siteunseen]

MSA has a nice seatbelt for the early 240s. Motor sports auto, google "240z msa"

[Warty]

Thanks. I should have mentioned that I did look at the MSA one, but I'm already sick of fishing the flopping console-side belt out of the gap between the seat and the console, so I'm looking for one with either a rigid sheath, or a rigid stalk on that side. 

In case it helps anyone in the future, here are 2 more links:

http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Ssnake-Oyl&Product_Code=WSCH201P&Category_Code=3PRLS

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/40-7490

 

[jfa.series1]

Not willing to trust my life to 46 year-old belts, I opted for the Wesco Roadster Retractable belts (model # SBS-roadst-prev-welr-n).  Like some others, I mounted the retractor to the shoulder belt mount above the quarter window.  Get the 11" sleeve for the buckle side and the buckle will always be at the right height for easy access.  No need for the optional hardware kit if you have the OE bolts & washers.  Easy to use, well pleased with the product.

http://www.wescoperformance.com/resebe.html

[SteveJ]

Meh, I'm not too fond of the product MSA sells. The roadster style sold by Wesco is a better option IMHO. Search this site for Wesco to see the many posts on those belts.

[SteveJ]

Jim beat me to it. ?

[Warty]

Wesco sells a roadster seatbelt, and a standard roof seatbelt. Here, and in another thread, people have recommended the roadster belt for early 240Zs. Mine appears to have already been modified at some point, with a mount point above the window. Similar in location to this one: 

from : 

 

Any reason I couldn't use the standard seatbelt from Wesco, given that upper mount point already exists? 

 

 

[jfa.series1]

Your car, your life, your choices.  The pic you posted shows the retractor attached to a plain bulkhead that is not reinforced for a seatbelt attachment point.  To me that looks like a pretty messy and potentially less safe installation.  The roadster belt alternative is a clean 3-point install that utilizes the factory belt mounting points.

[Warty]

I'm not familiar with a third seat belt mount point on a 1970 240z. Can you show me where that third point is?

The roadster belt instructions call for a third point either on the wheel well, or under the window. They provide a plate you install to distribute the force across a bigger area. Looks like it's about 1.5 " x 3 ". Is there a better way to install a third point so one can use a shoulder belt?




Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

[7tooZ]

A 70 had a three belt system. Each lap belt connects to a bolt on the floor on each side of the seat. The third belt attached the a bolt above the quarter widow and the the other end attaches to the buckle on lap belt. I can send photos if you need.


Don's iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

[Warty]

For some reason i thought the three point belt wasn't introduced until 1971. But that's great news for me: that should mean I can just hook up to it and trust it. We thought someone had put that mount point in and then some other PO had abandoned it for the lapbelt that is currently in the car. It's not original, and neither is the mounting hardware it's using, but it is using the standard mount points. This cars interior has a lot of slightly different to it.

If you don't mind I would love a shot of that window mount just to make sure that's what I'm working with.



Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

[7tooZ]

10 hours ago, Warty said:

For some reason i thought the three point belt wasn't introduced until 1971. But that's great news for me: that should mean I can just hook up to it and trust it. We thought someone had put that mount point in and then some other PO had abandoned it for the lapbelt that is currently in the car. It's not original, and neither is the mounting hardware it's using, but it is using the standard mount points. This cars interior has a lot of slightly different to it.

If you don't mind I would love a shot of that window mount just to make sure that's what I'm working with.



Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Hope this helps