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Topic: Seat belt retractors 74'

in Forum: C3 Interior


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Seat belt retractors 74' (1/8)
 3/21/10 8:37pm
danascar
Standard Member
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

Tried a search on this...didn't come up with anything. I have the seatbelt/shoulder harness setup on my 74 with 2 retractors for each side. Both retractors under the seats will not let me pull the belts out to reach the buckles across my lap. Anybody tried to tackle these with any successQuestion Warning tags on them about springs....dangerousQuestion Replacements are very expensive!!




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DanT

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Seat belt retractors 74' (2/8)
 3/21/10 9:10pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

A friend of mine has a 74 with the same problem.  The passenger side likes to give you a snug fir but the drivers does not.  We have not fixed it yet, when that retractor gets rusted up it is hard to free it up !!
Dan


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Seat belt retractors 74' (3/8)
 3/22/10 10:51am
VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe


Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

When we send in seat belts to be re-webbed, they make the retractors work again, so I know it can be done, but I wouldn't work on my own.  Seat belts are too important to leave to an amateur.

Larry
Seat belt retractors 74' (4/8)
 3/22/10 1:29pm
74-454Lifetime Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!


Joined: 8/6/2004
Posts: 533

Had the same problem here.  Found one in a wreck yard; but it was a '73; not a '74 so I returned it.  I ended up installing replacement seat belts.  Not as good looking; but working!

As said; I would not tackle this job myself.
Seat belt retractors 74' (5/8)
 3/22/10 3:28pm
movie collectorLifetime Member
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Summerville, SC - USA

Vette(s):
My 1974 Vette sold last August 2014. I am still willing to show up to events and local gatherings if anything happening No new vette yet.


Joined: 8/31/2005
Posts: 660

But don't take it to heart too much, some still work just lovely, like mine for example.  Not a problem yet, knock on wood.
 
Jeremy
Seat belt retractors 74' (6/8)
 3/26/10 6:33pm
OH6ALifetime Member
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Cadiz, KY - USA

Vette(s):
74 Convertible


Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249

Google Snake Oil.  They reweb seatbelts but as indicated above they are not cheap.  They may be able to repair yours.  I am certain that yours are either rusted or crudded up.  The hold where they sit under the seat is a great place for mice to nest.  Maybe you can take the belts out and just clean them.  Try it.  I agree, I would not take them apart.

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Seat belt retractors 74' (7/8)
 3/26/10 8:14pm
danascar
Standard Member
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

I'm certain you are right about the rust, OH, since when I purchased the car last year it had about an inch of water on both sides of the floor, which I have had taken care of since then. I did have them out when I replaced the carpet but didn't try them at that time. Guess I'll pull them out again and at least see what I can see.
ThanksSmile 

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DanT

Seat belt retractors 74' (8/8)
 3/26/10 9:11pm
Willis76Lifetime Member
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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd


Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

Many of the vendors now sell a single retractor replacement belt set that is not as expensive as the original dbl retractor sets. Another option I've seen is to use rear belts from a firebird or camaro, not sure of the exact years, but would also be a single retractor style. Hopefully whatever you choose will last another 35-40 years too.


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