A question arose to the correct installation method-connect wires first and then mount to firewall or mount to firewall and then make connections. The debate ended with the mount to firewall first method preferred. Mounting the wiper motor proceeded, only to find out that the foam washer wiper seal to firewall was missing. Mark will order a foam seal for the next attempt.
The talented and adept NCRS group then moved to the next task; installation of the 1969's unique seat belt configuration. The 1969 has a separate shoulder and seat belt set up; where the shoulder belt connects into a slot of the lap belt connection. Finding the bolts holes for the shoulder belt mount under the newly installed carpet proved to be more challenging than the White House Easter egg hunt. An antique scribe was used to try to find the bolt hole and locating hole by poking though the carpet. This proved to be somewhat unsuccessful, due to the thick jute padding under the carpet. The next method of jacking the car up on one side and locating the backing plate in the wheel well area for the shoulder harness mechanism proved to be more successful. It should be noted that plenty of the jute backing should be taken out under the shoulder harness mount and a larger cut of carpet instead of just the diameter of the bolt hole is needed.
Once both shoulder harnesses were installed, they were tested. As luck and Murphy's law (Oh wait he wasn't there) would have it, the driver's side did not work properly; the automatic belt braking system did not catch. A quick diagnostic of taking the plastic cover off the mechanism revealed that the plastic end cap had come lose. Next task install lap belts-easy-not exactly. The outside three holed metal belt covers proved to be a challenge due to the floating mounting plates inside the sills (because they had rusted out). The perseverance and patience of the highly trained NCRS personnel triumphed and the lap belts were in. Up next, cutting slits in the carpet and gluing together the plastic lap belt protective bezels. The 69 AIM manual was perused and noted for the correct positioning. Tasks seem to be going more smoothly; however, the NCRS crew is hungry. A light lunch was served in the solarium; and then most of the union crew punched off the clock and scattered. Three gifted NCRS members stayed to help the owner install the seats and sill plates (Hopefully this wasn't due to gilt or seniority).
This job went fairly well. This 69 is almost ready to hit the open road again and blow some carbon out after a long winter's sleep! |
