[1974SD455]

What are folks doing to restore the “exploding” plastic portion for front and rear seatbelts on a 1974 ‘Bird?
I don’t want to find old stock/used, as the plastic is still aged and would fail again.
I have seen a kit from “the parts place”, and a restoration service for the buckle from fbodywarehouse.
If anybody has experience with either of these, I’d appreciate your input.
Also interested in any other options.

Thanks

[3tas4me]

Originally Posted by 1974SD455

What are folks doing to restore the “exploding” plastic portion for front and rear seatbelts on a 1974 ‘Bird?
I don’t want to find old stock/used, as the plastic is still aged and would fail again.
I have seen a kit from “the parts place”, and a restoration service for the buckle from fbodywarehouse.
If anybody has experience with either of these, I’d appreciate your input.
Also interested in any other options.

Thanks

Have you checked out Ssnake-Oyl? Seat belt restoration is expensive, but given that it is a safety item, it isn't worth cutting corners IMO.

[Aus78Formula]

They'd likely use the same kit.

[1974SD455]

Thanks - I have not spoken directly with snake oil, but I cannot see anything on their website that indicates that they have an in-house source for the plastic insert, or restoration listed specifically for the ‘74.

I am hoping someone on the forum is one of the 500+ orders for the ones on eBay (partsplace).

[danpaul]

I have the Parts Place kit. There are 2 different types available. Make sure you get the correct one the 1st time as this guy does not do returns. I finally received the correct ones and they have been in the car for a couple years now. No issues. I only buy from this guy because he has stuff that I cannot find elsewhere.

[1974SD455]

Thanks DP. Are these for front seat buckles only?

[danpaul]

That was all that I needed. No idea about the rears.

Dan

[1974SD455]

Understood. After looking at the dimensions they sent meg for differentiating between first & second design, I ordered two of both. It appears that one is for front and other is for rear. I’ll update post when I receive and install these.

Thanks again for your input.

Jon

[1974SD455]

Update: Received the rebuild kits from the parts place. They were perfect to replace my old “exploded” inserts. I replaced (2)fronts and (2)rears. They come in black, and I painted mine red to match my interior. Very happy to have completed this and save my original belts/buckles

[Aus78Formula]

Good news. So was there an obvious worn part or age affected that allowed the originals to fall apart that the new kit has overcome?

[1974SD455]

The original plastic escutcheon had failed due to aging of the plastic it was made of. This caused the brittleness and allowed the internal spring pressure to be greater than what the plastic, at that stage, could retain.
I don’t know if a different plastic was used, but even if it was the same, it should last quite a few years. I will update this post in the event that there is any early degradation of this part.

[Aus78Formula]

Good one