NSW Corvettes
Technical Tips => Interiors - Trim - Seats - Carpets => Topic started by: demonx on August 27, 2008, 09:53:54 PM
-
Since there seems to be a lot of guys bringing in cars from the USA I figured I'd share with you my contact for getting Australian compliant seatbelts straight from the Manufacturer.
Hemco is the Manufacturer and they are located 5 min drive from me.
Wayne Fitzgerald is the guy to call, he's the Sales Manager. I spoke to him today and he's happy to post out belt kits for you guys.
(03) 5334 1213
email: hemco.wayne@bigpond.com
118 Learmonth Street
Ballarat VIC 3350
They have both retractable and lap sash. Make sure to ask for 1/2" bolts as the normal kits come with the Aussie metric and won't fit your vette.
I paid $110 for my retractable belts with all the bolts, spring washers, spacers etc.
Hope this helps.
-
They've been around for a while too. My C4 was converted around 10 years ago and it has Hemco belts.
-
Thanks Demonx just the info I need
-
Very Handy to know.
Thanks a lot. I had forgotten I still need seatbelts.
-
There are a lot of other businesses selling seatbelts, but most of them buy from Hemco, so you're just cutting out the middle man and saving a few bucks at the same time.
-
I called them today and I was suprised to actually talk to someone who knows their buisness for a change.
Thanks again;42
the new belts are on there way
-
I copied the e-mail address and had a reply by phone before I had taken my hand of the "mouse"!
Funny how they are not called "Rats"??
-
There is a reason I recommend them!
They are great to deal with!
One thing I did forget to mention... Anyone that has a C3 and is mounting the right side retractable seatbelt will need to fit an offset bracket as the belt mount is 4cm on one side and 5 cm on the other. You can either redrill the mount on the seatbelt or offset it with a bracket.
Hemco gave me one for free. I think he said its a tractor bracket, then I simply cut it back.
I can photograph if needed. Only takes a few seconds so it's not a big issue.
-
Originally posted by demonx
There is a reason I recommend them!
They are great to deal with!
One thing I did forget to mention... Anyone that has a C3 and is mounting the right side retractable seatbelt will need to fit an offset bracket as the belt mount is 4cm on one side and 5 cm on the other. You can either redrill the mount on the seatbelt or offset it with a bracket.
Hemco gave me one for free. I think he said its a tractor bracket, then I simply cut it back.
I can photograph if needed. Only takes a few seconds so it's not a big issue.
Are you running lap only or lap/sash in the convertible ???? I didn't think that a lap sash would mount.
-
I bought a retractable lap sash.
There's 3 mount holes for each belt, one on the rear wheel arch, then one either side of the seat.
-
hummmm, interesting. thought the height (or lack there of) for over shoulder mounting and then under the rear hatch would be an issue, but there you go.
-
mate with a 69 got his fitted in adelaide....750 bucks.... needed a hole drilling for the top bolt as no such animal on the 69......his originally just had a lap belt.
-
Originally posted by nifty
mate with a 69 got his fitted in adelaide....750 bucks....
HOLY sh#t!!! - So maybe I should have posted this earlier!
For seatbelts that are only $220 (inc GST) a pair thats a $530 markup for drilling a couple of holes and bolting in 6 bolts. Jeeez... I'd be avoiding who-ever did that by a long shot.
Maybe I should have not posted this and then gone into the seatblelt business! hahahha
-
exactly..... but it did come with a letter of compliance for rego.....as was needed in s.a. otherwise no rego....
bit like when i built my rumpus room....i HAD to have a builder look at the noggins to confirm they were the reqd distance apart...
this bloke came in and had a LOOK, didnt take any measurements and cost me 150 bucks for his signature...he was there less than a minute.
but thats what i had to do,otherwise no rumpus room..... sux but a fact of life...
im not a member of the boys club whereas the builder was.....
-
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/03092008438small.jpg)
Here's the offset bracket I made for the right side using the bracket provided from Hemco I mentioned in an earlier post ...
It's simply a seatbelt bolt & Nut with a few spacers to make it all work, then I place the seatbelt retractor plate over the exposed bolt and then screw down the nut with a spring washer.
The bracket will all be hidden under the carpet and the exposed bolt/nut will be hidden under the retractor's plastic cover. So it's all unseen and no-one would ever know.
-
I can supply autoliv (klippan) belts at competitive prices Prices depend on orientation of retractor & length of stalk
-
Sorry to thread dig, but would you be able to provide some pictures of the seatbelt setup, especially the mounting point for the sash. I need to sort the seatbelts for my vert out and was wondering where you bolted the sash strap to.
Thanks
Scott
-
Which mount, there are three.
On the wheel arch and then either side of the seat.
-
i recall when i got mine regoed about 13 year ago cause mine came striaght from the states with lap sash belts,i went to the wreckers got a set of retractables out of a cortina of all cars,cost 50 bucks,after rego i put a new set of gm repro lap sash belts date coded back in it,they cost a small fortune from memory ,and it has been that way ever since,mine is a 71 so the bolt holes were allready there;ay
-
:x
Or you can get lucky like me. My 75 convertible passed rego in Canberra without anyone checking the seat belts. Long story, but the engineer and the rego guys were fighting over yellow vrs white reversing lights and both forgot to check the belts, so mine passed with just the original lap belts. I'll install some 2001 Camaro belts I bought over the net when I have the time to install pass-through bezels in the seat backs.
Cheers
-
yep me to with act rego but i have changed them now because it needs to be done ;27
-
Originally posted by demonx
Which mount, there are three.
On the wheel arch and then either side of the seat.
Sorry, the one on the wheel arch. What was required to fit a lapsash belt to a vert? Did you need to drill the holes?
-
USA belts of retractable type don't comply with Australian standards. The Aussie belts have two stop mechanisims.
You can't bolt the Hemco retractors in the factory position. In my case C3 '78 [coupe obviously] the angle of the retractor in the pillar stops it from working and its actually upside down.
I believe most mount the retractor around the rear wheel arch [aka convertible].
If there is another [better] way i would love to know.
-
Originally posted by WARFARIN
You can't bolt the Hemco retractors in the factory position. In my case C3 '78 [coupe obviously] the angle of the retractor in the pillar stops it from working and its actually upside down.
I believe most mount the retractor around the rear wheel arch [aka convertible].
If there is another [better] way i would love to know.
If you scroll upwards to the top of this thread, you'll see a pic I posted of a bracket I made to mount the Hemco belt into the factory hole. It's very simple.
Originally posted by Scott What was required to fit a lapsash belt to a vert? Did you need to drill the holes?
Mine is a vert and the holes were already in the wheel arch.
I can take more pics if you need to know exact location as I have no interior in my car at the moment.
-
Originally posted by demonxMine is a vert and the holes were already in the wheel arch.
I can take more pics if you need to know exact location as I have no interior in my car at the moment.
If you get a chance, it'd be great if you could get a shot of the wheel arch mount and the front mount with the bracket and the belt mounted. It'd be handy for future reference.
Cheers
Scott
-
Heres the pics...
Front:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/Picture001small.jpg) (http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/Picture002small.jpg)
Rear:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/Picture003small.jpg) (http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/Picture004small.jpg)
-
Thanks for that. Looks a fair bit different to my 73 vert though. My seatbelts bolt to the floor with the re-inforcecment plates on the underside of the floor. I'll have to pull up the carpet in the rear and have a look.
-
My advice would be to buy an assembly manual... you can get photocopied ones from ebay for sweet stuff all. Mine has definitely paid for itself already.
-
I only have a shop manual, and it doesn't mention the interior. I'll have to look at getting an assemble manual to go with it.
-
:p
Confused about the Seat Belt issue??
I have a 76 Coupe & have had the engineer check it out for ADRs.
Now the seat belts are really causing me confusion The engineer said I can keep/use the orginal, lap sash (2 reels, one in the floor the other on the wheel arch but both are joined at the buckle so I guess its classed as one peice.
I have also spoked to Hemco & are keen to get theirs..
I am in the ACT also so has anyone had a C3 registered with the orginal belts???
Also I had to keep the Back up lights White/Clear even though I have used the the same housing for indicators (amber in the same light fitting) The ADR states Reversing can be clear or Amber....
-
Originally posted by 76vette
I am in the ACT also so has anyone had a C3 registered with the orginal belts???
Also I had to keep the Back up lights White/Clear even though I have used the the same housing for indicators (amber in the same light fitting) The ADR states Reversing can be clear or Amber....
All I can say is it will be pot luck with the belts when you go over the pits with the RTA. Some will let you go, some won't. It's one of those straight answers you never get from any RTA. The rear lights are another mystery. I intent to have rear reverse as amber with indicators together. Make sure your front indicators are white/clear. (that's their current flavor of the month) I'm tossing up about an engineer, but think that I'll just put mine over and let them sort out what is needed in their opinion and go from there.
Let me know if you need anything else as I'm in the ACT too. More than happy to help ;54
-
Thanks for the reply I will let all know how I go once I get to the pits.
I have 2 to register (one manual & one auto) both had a couple of diferent ADR requirements. Its annoying that I had to pay $600.00 ea for a engineer report for a factory mass produced car that basically only needs a few lights changed.
.
.
-
Originally posted by 76vette
Thanks for the reply I will let all know how I go once I get to the pits.
I have 2 to register (one manual & one auto) both had a couple of diferent ADR requirements. Its annoying that I had to pay $600.00 ea for a engineer report for a factory mass produced car that basically only needs a few lights changed.
.
.
:p
You should not need an engineers report unless you have carried out modifications such as a right hand conversion or any other major modificatons. Just get a Blue Slip.
:x
-
Originally posted by reserved:p
You should not need an engineers report unless you have carried out modifications such as a right hand conversion or any other major modificatons. Just get a Blue Slip.
:x
That is incorrect. You need an engineers cert for any car manufactured after 1969. If you have a 1968 or before you don't need the cert, only a RWC.
-
Depends on where you are, how old the car is and whether or not it's been converted. In NSW, to register a car that is over 30 years old, and is to registered as LHD, an Engineers Certificate is not required. RTA Vehicle Standards document 40, titled Registration of Left Hand Drive Vehicles, refers. I have just been through the process with a LHD '75.
-
Originally posted by demonx
Originally posted by reserved:p
You should not need an engineers report unless you have carried out modifications such as a right hand conversion or any other major modificatons. Just get a Blue Slip.
:x
That is incorrect. You need an engineers cert for any car manufactured after 1969. If you have a 1968 or before you don't need the cert, only a RWC.
Sorry dude, in the ACT, no engineer is required unless modifications are made to the vehicle. That does not include putting Aust standard belts and lights in. If it is mechanically modified from original, then yes, a report is required. If the car has NEVER been registered anywhere, then a trip over the pits is required. Interstate buys previously registered (LHD or RHD), just a RWC is required. Make sense??? ;43
-
Yep thats correct! at least as far as ACT & NSW rego is concerned. Both Corvettes are LHD & I have been to rego and spoke to both Tech Standards and the Pit Guru (who will remain nameless), as he is the only one in my 25 odd years of Chevs that will talk to you & cut the Bulls@#t.
The rule is as both cars are imports they now need a engineers report all be it for basic stuff.
I get the feeling that this is now the norm Nationally if we want to get our 30yr old cars registered.
But hey its better than having to pay $1000s for a conversion or stuck with club rego like the old days.
I'll post a list/info once I get one of the Vettes thru hopefully to help others and clear the fog, also some engineers charge for re-checks or additional visits.
-
Originally posted by 76vette
I'll post a list/info once I get one of the Vettes thru hopefully to help others and clear the fog, also some engineers charge for re-checks or additional visits.
The pre requisites vary depending on the year. It's best to speak to the engineer doing the cert to find out what "they" want done for your year model.
-
Hello, This is my first post so i hope i get it right.
I have a 79 C3 and am also going through the process of changing parts over to meet ADR compliance. I live in Sydney and have been trying to figure out who does the seat belts and how i install them. I have come across two companies from Melbourne, Hemco and Autoliv. Unfortunately neither do a direct replacement for the 79-82's due to the the retractor part being located up the top of the B frame behind the interior trim. Demonx i saw your pictures, however is your floor pan any different to the 78-82's and also if i mount the retractor horizontally to the floor near the rear wheel arches, what holds the belt in place up near the shoulder? I should also mention that this is my first Corvette, so i may be a little naive on the terminology and accuracy of my statements. Has any one does the conversion on the 78-82's and do they have any pics, tips, or advice they can offer on what ios the best solution to fitting ADR seat belts on my model Corvette/
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Ragards,
Jeff
-
Hi Jeff, you got right first time. Well done, better than my first attempt.
I replaced the belts in my '75 for rego about a year ago. Don't know if '75 is the same as yours or not. I bought Hemco belts for mine. I threw away the packaging, so I don't know the part # now, just remember that I had to ask for 230mm stalks. The Hemco belts pull in a different direction so, for the retractor mounted over the wheel arch, I made up 1/4 inch thick steel angle brackets. Drilled one hole for the body mount, another for the retractor mount. Pretty simple really. Pity I don't have photos.
Are you registering LHD or RHD? (and I'm presuming the car is a recent import) If RHD, it will have to be Engineered, questions may be asked about the seat belt mounting. If LHD, it only needs a Blue Slip. It's unlikely that the Blue Slip guy will want you to pull the trim apart so he can inspect the seat belt mounts.
Hope this helps.
-
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the post. I purchased my vette approximately a year ago, before the Aus dollar crashed too much, i purchased it from a local guy who appears to be importing a few of them. It is LHD and i am leaving that way, for simplicity purposes. I hope to register it within the next few months, all depending on how much spare time i can put into it. I, like what appears to be happening to so many others am lost in the whole translation of what is and isn't required for registration. My local blue slip guy wont touch it without an engineers certificate, but another one in the next town apparently passes them without the engineers certificate. However when i rang NSW RTA, they said i will need an engineers certificate. I have already replaced all the front headlights, made the front indicators amber and rewired the rear tail lights so that i have amber blinkers and not red ones. I removed the smog pump, but left the charcoal canister, so hopefully that is all ok. I have recently purchased a few TPI setups and am thinking of replacing the old Rochester and presume that it may be better to get the TPI, seat belts and what ever else needs engineering approval all certified in the one go.
Bob, after your seat belt leaves the retractor, is there a fixed point any where up near you shoulder or head? or anything that fixes to the top of the 'B' frame (frame between roof and floor i think) to keep the seat belt up off your shoulder area? Also, is there any chance you could take a photo of your seat belts, the whole setup preferably? I dont mean go and rip up your carpet or anything, i just want to get an idea of the location of all the mounting points.
Thanks and I appreciate your help Bob and any other info that any one else can contribute.
Regards,
Jeff
-
Hi Jeff, welcome to the world of beurocracy and interpretation. The following is a link to the RTA document on registration of 30 year old LHD vehicles. For registration, that is when you front up at the Registry, you don't have to present them with an Engineers Certificate. If it had been converted to RHD, different story. I guess your Blue Slip guy might want to see a Certificate, mainly to cover himself. The guy that I went to told me that he didn't need a Certificate, so I have never obtained one.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi40_rev1.pdf
I went through all this 6 months ago. I'll send you a PM with my contact details if you want to discuss it.
Below is a photo showing the seat belt installed. Bear in mind this is a '75, so might be different to yours, I have not had experiance with a '79. I'm sure some others will be able to comment on this.
(http://[IMG]http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o477/Reklaw327/SeatBelt.jpg)[/img]
-
I can supply belts & plates to suit a 79 no problem have recently done my 78
Geoff
All Vehicle Restraints
0417473492
-
Thanks Bob for the reply and picture. I have been in touch with a few of the club members today who are up on the regulations and have advised me that apparently Late 75 they changed the laws and all cars from then on have to get an engineers certificate, Ans also i just found out that it will cost around $1100 for the certificate. Just my luck. I have also noticed a response below form Geoff who can supply the seat belts for my year vehicle, so i will try that avenue.
Thanks again for your assistance.
Jeff
-
Well, you have to make up your own mind about some of these things. That RTA document I referred to was dated October 2003, certainly later than 75, and is still current.
-
Thanks for the document Bob, i appreciate your effort. To make things worse, today i spoke to two recommended engineers and both had different rules as to whether my standard 79 seat belts were ok or not. I think for the sake of a few $100dollars, i am better off just changing them anyway. Better for insurance purposes as well i think.
I will keep you posted on how i go with the inspections.
-
Originally posted by Reklaw
Well, you have to make up your own mind about some of these things. That RTA document I referred to was dated October 2003, certainly later than 75, and is still current.
Hi Jeff, I agree with Bob and the others and believe that unless it is RHD no certificate is required. Best bet is physically go to the RTA and talk to the inspectors, build a rapport with them and get the info from the horses mouth. I got mine done 6 months ago and the ONLY reason I needed certification was the VB&P suspension as it was not standard. Just my 2c mate.
-
Thanks Smithy007,
I went to the Hawkesbury blokes day on teh weekend where NSW Corvette's Unlimited had approximately 25 cars on display and spoke to a few guys there. They directed me to an engineer that most of them use called John Wilson form AKZ Engineering. I spoke to him yesterday and he was the one who advised me that all Corvette's form mid 75 on have to have an engineers certificate before they can get a blue slip. Apparently that is the law in NSW , however i have heard of others registering 78 models without getting an engineers certificate at all. Although i have never actually seen there car or paper work to confirm it. Either way, i believe that to cover my own backside, for registration and insurance purposes i am better off getting it all approved and certified. I also live next door to a mechanic who does the blue slips and he advised me that he wont touch it without an engineers certificate, and he pulled out a great big book of regulations that he received when he became a certified blue slip inspection station that says from mid 71 all vehicles need to comply with ADR regulations and will require an engineers certificate to show compliance before he is allowed to perform the blue slip inspection.
Thanks again for the input, unfortunately it appears as though it all depends on who you go to and how they are feeling at the time.
I will get it registered eventually!! :-)
-
Hi Jeff, and you'll have to include Stamp Duty in your budgeting when you finally go for rego.
-
;49;49;49;49
Although I am not an expert, I think you will only have to comply with the regulations that were in force at the time of manufacture of the vechicle, this should not be very much to comply with, you do not have to comply with todays regulations.
On the original subject of seatbelts, I am looking to buy some retractable ones and will probably purchase them fron Seatbelt Solutions in WA, as I have been told that they have belts to suit C3s.
;42 ;42 ;42
-
Originally posted by demonx
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/vettesofballarat/03092008438small.jpg)
Here's the offset bracket I made for the right side using the bracket provided from Hemco I mentioned in an earlier post ...
It's simply a seatbelt bolt & Nut with a few spacers to make it all work, then I place the seatbelt retractor plate over the exposed bolt and then screw down the nut with a spring washer.
The bracket will all be hidden under the carpet and the exposed bolt/nut will be hidden under the retractor's plastic cover. So it's all unseen and no-one would ever know.
Just fitted the same belts to my 77 and only had to re drill the the mounting bracket on the RHS ,fits fine ;35
-
Thanks Silver, for the reply. I did see that original picture and post, however due to the 78-82's being slightly different in the rear i didn't want to mount my seat belt retractor on the wheel arch in in the rear section.
Fortunately for a post reply by sirfixalot who has the same year model, he has already come up with a solution that mounts the retractor on the B frame. I will post a picture of the setup so that any one else who is considering this option can see what it looks like.
(http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/th_DSC02594.jpg)
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/th_DSC02598.jpg
-
If any one is after a place to get ADR approved seat belts that fit the 78-82 model C3 Corvette's, and possibly others, here is a contact where i purchased mine.
All Vehicle Restraints Illawong NSW 0417473492
I will post a few more pictures, and a link to my photo bucket website which has more pics. Unfortunately i didnt take any pictures of the complete setup, brackets etc prior to attaching them to the car.
(http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=SpoolClose1.jpg)
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=Spooldistance1.jpg
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=DSC02594.jpg
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=DSC02592.jpg
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=DSC02599.jpg
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=Spoolcloseup.jpg
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll271/jeffbayley/Cars/1979%20Corvette%20Stingray/79%20Corvette%20ADR%20Seat%20Belt/?action=view¤t=DSC02603.jpg
If any one has any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, or go directly to the source: All Vehicle Restraints Illawong NSW 0417473492
-
Hemco all the way, they made my experience all to easy. Had the belts on my door step within 48 hours of purchase.
-
Hi all , new here second post.
I bought seat belts from All Vehecle restraints (geoff 0417473492) . the brackets he suplied fitted perfect...and the belts.
its not often someone makes aftermarket products and fit fit that well. so I thought id let you guys know. how good his product is. ( he also put me onto this site
-
...have referred Hemco stacks of times over the years.. they are basically an employee buyout of the old TRW company as i know it and being primarily self employed they work pretty hard. For the record the # is 03 5334 12 13.
-
I supply seatbelts which are model & colour specific for corvettes & are a direct fit replacement kit including all bolts, washers,plates,brackets as required.
-
thanks mate, i was gonna post the question on how, what and where to get these.... will be calling them 2moro, cheers
-
I supply seatbelts which are model & colour specific for corvettes & are a direct fit replacement kit including all bolts, washers,plates,brackets as required.
I recommend Geoff to anyone wanting to upgrade their belts.
My Mustang previously had lap belts in the front and he supplied and installed a set of Hemco lap-sash retractable belts for the front and a set of lap belts for the rear.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/stephenslr/Belts11.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/stephenslr/Belts12.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/stephenslr/Belts14.jpg)
The Hemco colour selection is pretty good too.
All Vehicle Restraints - 0417 473 492
s