4-point Harnesses

[1970EuropaGuy]

I'm debating adding Corbeau 4-point harnesses to my Europa. Has anyone done this? I'm wondering about methods of attaching the shoulder belts firmly to the firewall, perhaps using a metal backing plate?

[RoddyMac]

Honestly, I wouldn't fit a 4 point to any road car.  In order for them to be safe they have to be tightened so you can barely move.  And, with a 4 point, when you snug up the shoulder straps the belt at your waist tends to creep up.  If you really want a harness go for a 5 or 6 point, but again, they have to be very snug for them to work properly.

But, if you had your heart set on fitting them, I would think the safest mounting would be to a roll bar.  The beaverboard firewall would be like mount the belt to cheese.  You could add a plate to spread the load, but I still wouldn't trust it.

[1970EuropaGuy]

I have thought about the riding up scenario but this is the same issue I have with the original 3-point belts. Lots to think about.

[Certified Lotus]

I have had a couple of Lotus race cars and I will confirm that without a roll bar to attach the harness to there is no reason to install a four point harness (unless you just want “cool factor” and a false sense of security.)

[Clifton]

I'm with Roddy, not for a street car. You need them pretty tight and I would go with out an anti sub, 5th belt too. Chances are if you need it on a street Europa without a cage, you'll end up dead regardless of the belts. I would try an airbag first.

[1970EuropaGuy]

Thanks all. Yeah, no accidents!!!!!

Money to spend somewhere else.

[JR73]

Whilst you are thinking about your seatbelts... have you checked/do you know the condition of the mounts for the ones you have fitted? - the sill plates are worth checking, especially if you aren't sure of their history as originals do tend to rot and replacements (some stainless to prevent the rot) aren't always fitted in an overly secure way.... worth a check for peace of mind?

[Sandyman]

My sill plate seat belt mounts are totally rotten. Does anyone have a template so I can get a new one fabricated?

[RoddyMac]

Attached is a basic drawing stolen from the Yahoo Group, I believe Dan Morrison created it.

The plate should be 16 ga, and the "F" sized holes should have 1/4" UNF nuts welded to the side that is under the lip.  The doubler plate is 1/8" thick (i think, can't remember at the moment) with a 7/16" UNF nut welded to it.  The #8 holes are through holes that should line up with the two screws on the sill flange.

[Sandyman]

Thanks Roddy, you rock.
Sandy

[TCS4605R]

Attached is a photo of the outside seat belt anchor I took off of my 74TCS.  My frame had very little rust, but these seat belt anchors were pretty rotted away.

Tom

[TCS4605R]

Attached is a photo of the new powder coated plate I made.  Somewhere, I have a PDF drawing of the plate - if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll try to find it.

Tom

[RoddyMac]

The Twin Cam plates are different from the Series 2 plates, as they extend farther rearward (and have an extra 1/4" bolt). Here's what mine looked like:

[TCS4605R]

Egad - you’re was not existent - what held the seatbelt in place?

Tom

[JR73]

Egad - you’re was not existent - what held the seatbelt in place?

Tom

Generally the rusty lump that's left attached to the bolt is wedged in place - which gives the false impression that all is fine, I've seen quite a few like that over the years. Well worth checking.