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 success Warning tags on them about springs....dangerous Replacements are very expensive!!

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 !!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.
Thanks 

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.