Midget seat belts

[chard]

Hi 74 RWA Midget

I want to fit some inertia reel seat belts, I have some (brand new) with a fitting kit for an MGB.

I have another fitting kit (mgoc) for the midget this is intended to bolt to an original fixing point on the side of the wheel arch and locating the reel on top of the arch.

My car has the fixing point on top of the arch but forward so the fixing point is not horizontal and therefor I cannot bolt the reel straight to it.

Does snyone know of a suitable belt or fixing kit for this kind of instalation?

Or should I drill through the side of the arch and bolt the mgoc bracket (with suitable strengthening plates) to mount the seat belt on top of the arch?

I cannot use the MGB fixing kit because this would mount the belt inside the arch (too far inboard in the midget)

Any help would be appreciated

[SB - Nigel]

I'm not too sure what you mean above but I think (don't know for sure):-

B belts would be too long

you would be best to use the anchor points provided

the belts are not handed (LH or RH specific) but the brackets are (see photo)

below is a photo of the driver's belt and its bracket on my 73 RWA Midget, hope it helps



ETA: Richard, I hope I'm wrong but remembering your suspension post you seem to accept semi bodge jobs on your Midget - don't, you'll regret it later and never with safty items like suspension and seat belts - as I say I hope I've misunderstood but I don't apologise for giving a warning here for others as cars often get bodged especially before sale (wording altered)

Edited by SB - Nigel on Thursday 12th February 16:05

[chard]

Hi Nigel

Thanks for the warning. I appreciate the advice. Dont worry I havn't bodged the suspension, just waiting for warmer weather to sort it.

My seat belt fitting point is on top of the arch not on the side as yours is, but just forward of the horizontal plane, so you cannot bolt inertia reel seat belts to it.

I would post a photo if I could work out how to attach it!!

[SB - Nigel]

chard said:

Hi Nigel

Thanks for the warning. I appreciate the advice. Dont worry I havn't bodged the suspension, just waiting for warmer weather to sort it.

My seat belt fitting point is on top of the arch not on the side as yours is, but just forward of the horizontal plane, so you cannot bolt inertia reel seat belts to it.

I would post a photo if I could work out how to attach it!!

Richard, sorry, I was honestly just about to change the word "happy" as that wasn't what I wanted to say above

See here for posting a photo: - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... I use TinyPic http://www.tinypic.com/ as it's easy enough even for me to use

Hopefully some of the regular more knowledgeable PHers will be along soon to help you

The Original Midget and Sprite book (I gave away my copy when I sold my previous Spridget) is very usefull for production changes and other information

[SB - Nigel]

Having had another look at my car from under the wheel arch I now understand what you're saying (I'm always a bit slow on the uptake on mechanical things)

Looks like you may need to drill thro' fit an additional shaped block, nut and washer each side, as I had supplied in the inertia set belts kit for my GT6

You could also give Spares at MGOC a ring to see what they say I've always founds the chaps there very helpful (I've bought so many items at the shop or shows that I've been on first name terms with a couple of them for many years)

[chard]

Hi

Thanks worked it out.


Any idea how can use the fixing points or do I need new ones?

[chard]

Nigel

The guys @ MGOC couldn't help. Is the top of the arch stong enough to mount seat belts? If I drill and mount on the horizontal section?
The side of the arch seems to be reinforced.

[SB - Nigel]

Well done - now you'll be able to post photos in your suspension thread when you get a chance

[wildoliver]

The problem with mounting it at the top of the arch is it will catch the hood frame, however you can use them on your original mounting points just pop the side cover off (the one that doesn't say DO NOT REMOVE THIS COVER) usually 2 screws. Inside is a ball and cup which works to lock the belt if it goes over (which canting the belt unit over replicates). Just remove all the ball and cup mechanism till it only works as a recoil belt.

Done this many times as even when fitted to Bs they rarely work properly. However if you choose to follow my advice and damage anything or yourself I accept no responsibility. Frankly I can't imagine why you want recoil belts they are a pain in a Midget.

[chard]

Thanks

It's simple when you know how!!

[MG Mark]

For the price of getting a set up that works properly and looks good, suggest you try here, as they will make to order, using the appropriate parts. Modern or classic look, choice of webbing, buckle on stalk or webbing, static or intertia reel. Saves bodging a solution for something that is there to save you.....

http://www.quickfitsbs.com/index.asp

MG Mark

[SB - Nigel]

Hoorah ! At last I can disagree with Oliver

Static belts, especially in a Midget, are a real pain - inertia, especially on the passenger's side, are only a nuisence when they lock up on the slightest incline

Having seriously chrashed an open car I'd go with the custom made

Sorry Oliver, Porsches are one thing but old MGs are another

[wildoliver]

Don't worry Nigel were all different, my issue with recoil belts in most classics but especially MGs is the tendency for the belt to get retracted behind the seat making it a right pain to find when you go past the police car!

My preference is actually a 3/4 point harness, at least it supports you in the event of a crash.

[chard]

The way I look at it a correctly adjusted static is uncomfortable due to the low mounting point of the reel.

I certainly don't fancy tyring out the Midget's crash protection!! Drive defensively. (see how a biker changes his riding style if deprived of a comforting lid)

[SB - Nigel]

wildoliver said:

. . . my issue with recoil belts in most classics but especially MGs is the tendency for the belt to get retracted behind the seat

yes that's true that's why I use the selt belt pads just to hold them on the seat instead of falling behind the seat (you can just see it in my photo)

wildoliver said:

making it a right pain to find when you go past the police car!

tut, tut, sigh

wildoliver said:

My preference is actually a 3/4 point harness, at least it supports you in the event of a crash.

I dislike harnesses especially on road cars as I think they encourage you to perhaps drive too fast on occasions - I can personally assure you that a standard inertia selt belt works very well in a crash

chard said:

. . .I certainly don't fancy tyring out the Midget's crash protection!! Drive defensively. (see how a biker changes his riding style if deprived of a comforting lid)

totally agree about adjusting your driving style to the vehicle and I think because you know you have less crash protection and braking than a modern car most people will drive their classics with more awareness of what's going on with the road, their car and all the other traffic so they drive better

Don't forget those photos of your list

[SB - Nigel]

At a mate and PHer's yesterday and saw a sticker for CG LOCK see www.cglock.co.uk - he has one and another mate of mine who does track days has been recommending them for years

I had a three-piont harness in one of my cars but still prefered using an inertia reel seat belt - from this experience I'd say if you must have a harness have a four-piont