Old Car Safety

**BadBird** · February 1st, 2016, 05:58 PM

Dennis, As far as the Fairlane option. What the heck were they thinking??????

Where do your center straps hook up? Not sure from the pictures. Thanks Larry

**ew1usnr** · February 1st, 2016, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by BadBird

[SIZE=4]Dennis, As far as the Fairlane option. What the heck were they thinking??????
Where do your center straps hook up? Not sure from the pictures.

Hello, Larry.

I do not think that I could bring myself to go with the Fairlane option.

The shoulder straps come together in back as a "V" and then become a single strap:

IMG_0306.jpg

The single strap feeds into the center bracket on the floor. The ends of the lap belt feed into the right and left brackets:
2-DCP_4899.jpg

I added another bracket and strap on the right and left side to secure the seat hinges:
floor attachment.jpg

I bought two shoulder harness sets for the front seat and two lap belts for the back seat from Andover Restraints.
See: http://www.andoauto.com/

Mt receipt says that I bought the "3 Point Seat Belts With Vintage Lift Lid Buckle" - "Custom Y" Harness #8814B
See: http://www.andoauto.com/3point.htm

**Luva65wagon** · February 2nd, 2016, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by ew1usnr

I added another bracket and strap on the right and left side to secure the seat hinges:
floor attachment.jpg

Dennis, This bracket really should be turned around and bent upward at about a 45 degree angle. Not that the seat has a lot of leverage (weight) until you strap yourself into the seat belt and drag it forward in an accident, God forbid, but this bracket is now prone to rather bend rather than hold the seat. It may, in fact, bend and in doing so work-harden and break off before the bolt through the floor holds the seat in place. Just an observation.

**BadBird** · February 2nd, 2016, 02:24 PM

Dennis, I may be wrong, but with your engineering mind, you had to scratch your head when you saw that Fairlane option??? I think I could have found a better method when I used to drink.

Roger, if you have that setup, you will probably get a bunch for it. One born every minute from what I hear.

Larry

**dhbfaster** · February 2nd, 2016, 02:55 PM

Dennis, Why do you want to go to bigger (wider) tires? 175/80r13 seems like an almost perfect match to the original diameter. That's what I was planning to get for mine some day.

**ew1usnr** · February 2nd, 2016, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by dhbfaster

Dennis, Why do you want to go to bigger (wider) tires? 175/80r13 seems like an almost perfect match to the original diameter. That's what I was planning to get for mine some day.

Hello, Don.

I can't find my notes on this, but I think that the four-lug 13-inch wheels are six inches wide and so are the Milestar tires. They would be perfect for your wheels. The specifications for a Maxxis 175/80R13 say "Rim Width: 4.50 - 6.00".
See: https://www.cokertire.com/maxxis-175-80r13.html

But, ... the 5-lug 13-inch wheels that came with the V-8 cars are 6 1/2 inches wide. The Milestar 175's do work on my car, but the Maaxis MA-1 would be a better fit because they are specified for a 6.5-inch wide wheel.

The wheels used on the Sprint hardtop model are 6.5” x 13”.
The Maxxis MA-1 185/80R13 whitewall tire will fit 5” - 6.5" wide rims. “The Maxxis MA-1 is the perfect touring tire for almost any passenger car. With an attractive design and solid construction featuring double steel belts, solid center rib, advanced tread design to resist hydroplaning, and a stylish narrow (3/4”) white sidewall with serrated black sidewall.”
SKU: 700403, Tread Width: 5.40, Section Width: 7.40, Overall Diameter: 24.70, Load Index: 90, Speed Rating: S 112 mph, Max Load Capacity: 1323@35PSI, Rim Width: 5.00 - 6.50.
See: http://www.cokertire.com/maxxis-185-80r13.html Amazon has them for $104.89 each with free shipping

**Luva65wagon** · February 3rd, 2016, 09:46 AM

Dennis,

I figured you would have needed it to angle-up to clear the other belt to also allow turning it around. If you can get the angled one, I would.

I doubt they would harden the bracket (much) and it would bend. I also doubt they expected the pull would be in that orientation and never tested for this configuration.

No bench vice!

I got one or two extra I could send you...

**Luva65wagon** · February 2nd, 2016, 02:58 PM

I think if the plates went through the rib in the roof that usually held the light socket in the center of the roof. That rib and the roof sandwiched with this chrome part on the roof would be about as good as anything I've seen them do early-on.

If I do find those parts, I will sell them for a bunch-o-money!

**ew1usnr** · February 2nd, 2016, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Luva65wagon

Dennis, This bracket really should be turned around and bent upward at about a 45 degree angle.

Hello, Roger.

I cannot turn it around because the strap from the waist belt and the back of the seat are in the way. I understand, though, what you are saying about angling the bracket to decrease the twisting leverage.

I looked back at where I bought the flat belt anchor
Seatbelt anchors.jpg

and see that they also have an angled one (on right).
0e540337_mount-hardware640x480.jpg

I do not have a bench vice and even if I had one this anchor may be hard to bend. It is, after all, deliberately made to be difficult to bend. It might be easier to just buy a set of the angled ones.

See: http://www.racereadyproducts.com/har...ting-hardware/