Rick,
I'm with Kelvin on this, nice big back-up plates, just be sure the metal back
there is sound. I've seen and heard some nasty things happen with "vintage
racers" and such that had some tin worm problems. Not too sure I'd personally
want to do what you're talking about tho, shoulder harnesses without some sort
of roll-over protection, but hey you pays your money and plays your hand.
As far as brands go, I've used all sorts from the lower priced stuff to
Simpson, and have found the quality to be about the same...as long as it is SFI
rated, I've been happy.
Like Kelvin says be sure to mount things at the correct angles. Incorrect seat
belt mounting can lead to some nasty things (Like a certain roundy round guy
dead and Mr. Simpson leaving his namesake business because certain people
didn't listen to him). Also remember that comp belts are designed to be worn
_tight_...and even then they stretch (that's how they absorb the energy). A
rally friend of mine center-punched the proverbial ancient oak tree (score:
Ents 1, MGB-GT 0) at about 80 MPH and even wearing his harnesses tight he still
managed to break his chin guard on the steering wheel.
The eye-bolt arrangement is nice if you 1) want to remove them for street use
or looks, or 2) have to change them out every two years like I do.
It's strange, after so much racing, I feel naked in street belts.
-Keith Wheeler
Team Sanctuary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dodd, Kelvin" <doddk@mossmotors.com>
Date: Friday, April 15, 2005 1:24 pm
Subject: RE: Racing Harness
> Rick:
>
>
> On my race 65 MGB, For each belt set I made up a 5" wide by 3" steel
> plate. This is drilled for two seat belt eye bolts, with the bolt
> holesabout 1" from the outside edges. I mounted the plates as low as
> possible against the trunk side of the rear bulkhead, then drilled the
> bulkhead for the eye bolts.
>
> On the inside of the car, you can see the two ring bolts, with washers
> (the washers just keep the rear upholstery panel tidy).
>
>
> The plates spread the load across the bulkhead sheet metal and into
> junction between floor and bulkhead.
>
> Under extreme load, the plate could be pulled through the
> bulkhead, but
> the forces involved would have turned the driver to jelly.
>
> This location is within the recommended degrees of angle to prevent
> spinal compression.
>
>
> Due to the lay down seating position in an MGB, it is a very good idea
> to run a submarine belt. This is easy to mount under the front of the
> seat using the typical 2" diameter backing washer. In the event
> of a
> hard frontal crash, this can reduce leg trauma. I have a friend who
> rear ended a pickup with her MGB. Her foot and ankle got tangled
> in the
> brake and accelerator pedals and were severely damaged when she slid
> under the stock 3 point belts.
>
>
>
>
>
> Kelvin Dodd
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