'72: Can I safely weld on seat belt anchor plate?

[Patricia Brown]

Yet another little issue with my '72 cowl-back body: the square nut attached to the bottom of the seat belt anchor plate under the car, fell off. Is it safe to do a quickie spot weld to re-attach it, while the plate is on the car, or is this asking for fire? I dread to remove all those rivets and have fun re-riveting the plate. But if I must, I will.

Patricia

[Mac Peppers]

Re: '72: Can I safely weld on seat belt anchor pla

hey patricia,
i think the only reason for the nut to be welded, is for ease of installation of the seat belt bolt. i would clean the bolt threads good and use a little lock-tight. it might take a friend to hold the bolt while installing.
mac

[Dick W.]

Re: '72: Can I safely weld on seat belt anchor pla

I think that you would be safe doing a quick spot weld to hold the nut. Have a fire extinguisher and water handy just in case

[Jim T.]

Re: '72: Can I safely weld on seat belt anchor pla

Another option is to secure it in place with some J-B Weld keeping it out of the threaded bolt.

[Patricia Brown]

Re: '72: Can I safely weld on seat belt anchor pla

Ah, so that nut is only secured for convenience's sake? It's been so long since my car's been together I don't recall how everything works. If the nut is easily accessible after the car's together, I guess I can always have someone just hole the bolt while I remove the nut (or vice versa). I will be having a welder come over soon to do some other jobs; I'll ask him if he feels comfortable doing a spot weld to it. (I'll have the fire extinguisher ready! ) If he's not confident, I'll try JB Weld.

Thanks!
Patricia