Re: [alfa] Lap-Shoulder seat belts for Spider Quad

[Jerry Hayek <jerry_hayek@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dan,

A couple of years ago I went through the process of converting the seat belts on my '88. It can be
done and at least for my car it looks competely original when I've compared to other models. But
if I had only known, I surely would have bought another year model. 

Turns out my mechanic was familiar with the retrofitting. He swapped the seats and replaced the
guides with shorter ones. I believe he had some minor vinyl work done on the sides of seats due to
the holes not matching exactly--but I am not sure. 

Next, he removed the center belt anchor under the back deck. Unfortunately, I do not believe there
are exisitng points for a outboard anchors, since my mechanic had to send out for normal anchors
to be welded in. He replaced the belts with stock versions (there are mounting holes for the
buckles in-board between the seats) and removed the auto railings and motors. Finally, he fit with
a stock rear deck and new carpet.

Looks great, but set me back a grand. One small consolation, though: once the driver side motor is
removed, you can now replace the trunk/gas latch panel (the one which tends to break) with a stock
version, since the special longer version designed to cover the motor is not available and
impossible to find.

Jerry Hayek
Walnut Creek, CA

'88 Spider Veloce


--- "Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided> wrote:
> Hi Dan:
> 
> What was Alfa thinking with those belts in the '88's?  Anyway, the first 
> thing you need to do is swap the seats, or just the backs, left for right, 
> to get the shoulder belt guides on the outsides of the seats.  Problem is 
> that those belt guides are taller than all the other years used, and 
> they'll interfere with the convertible top frame.  So, next step is to find 
> a set of the shorter guides, maybe from another  Digester or APE.  Finally, 
> mount the new belts just as the original belts were mounted in all the 
> non-'88's, which is perhaps easier said than done.  Have you looked to see 
> if the mounting points are on your car's body (meaning on the outer sides 
> of the rear deck bottom, rear corners of the inner rockers, and sides of 
> the driveshaft tunnel)?  It would be hard to imagine that Pininfarina left 
> those off when they installed the extra mounts for the motorized belts, as 
> they were only used in the US, and only for a short while.  Look carefully 
> for those mounts.  There probably won't be any hardware, so again, check 
> with a Digester or APE, and you might want to seek out a non-'88 rear deck 
> trim panel, too, which has the openings for the conventional belts.
> 
> FWIW, the IAP gasket set isn't the best, but is useable.  If you can swap 
> for a kit by Reinz or Goetze, that would be a good plan.  If not, at least 
> get a Reinz head gasket, and a proper set of o-rings and pins, such as 
> those sold by Jon Norman.  I have personally found the Italian-made gaskets 
> to be less than ideal, but I know others who haven't had the same 
> complaints.  Also, get that engine block surgically clean, and by that I 
> mean specifically the oil passages, as regardless of what Louie may have 
> said, you've really got no clue where that block has been.  Have a machine 
> shop check the top surface for planar trueness, too, and check liner 
> protrusion.  Good luck with the project, which sounds like fun.  Your 
> patience will pay off.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Dean
> Lutz, FL
> '74 & '87 Spider Veloce's
> 
> 
> At 08:00 PM 6/3/2004, you wrote:
> >Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 07:01:56 -0500
> >From: "Dan Lewis" <lewisdk6@domain.elided>
> >Subject: [alfa] Lap-Shoulder seat belts for Spider Quad
> >
> >   Can anybody show me how and where to mount a set of lap/shoulder seat belts
> >in my '88 Spider Quadrifoglio?  I currently have just those stupid
> >power-retractable shoulder belts (that don't work anyway!) and have purchased
> >a set of Klippan Model 4600 3-point belts, with retractors and hardware.  The
> >problem is . . . where and how do I mount these suckers?!  I've looked all
> >through the rear and can't find any obvious locations.
> >
> >   If this has to be a matter of fabrication and/or alteration, I don't mind
> >doing it, just so I've got some better protection for minor-to-semi-major
> >impacts.  I figure anything beyond that and my wife will be comfortably
> >well-off and I'll be comfortably dead.
> >
> >   A web site with pics and instructions would be good, or send pics of your
> >own setup and directions on how it was done.  I'd really appreciate it!
> >
> >   It's getting closer to road time for my li'l red baby.  Got a block coming
> >from the good guys at DeNoya Trading Post, got a good crank and rods from
> >another Alfisti, got a full gasket set and other stuff from IAP, now I just
> >need bearings and the time to put it all back together.  "Patience,
> >Grasshopper."  This could be a fun summer!!!
> >
> >Dan Lewis
> >Bellevue, NE
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