Early BeltsI recently purchased a '65 fastback, which is the car I've wanted since my teens. It's in immaculate shape with all original metal and interior. I understand that not all cars came equipped with seatbelts. This one has front lap belts (I'm not sure if they were original), but doesn't have rear belts. I also understand that isn't unusual, but the rear seat has the openings in the upholstery to allow the belts to come through. I removed the rear seat to see if the belts were under the seat, and they weren't, but there wasn't anything to attach them to.
How were the belts attached? How would I attach aftermarket belts? Hopefully, I don't have to cut or weld into the existing floorpans, as they are in perfect shape and untouched. I want to take my children to local and regional car shows, but without properly securing them in the car, my wife and I do not feel comfortable doing so-not to mention it's against the law.Paul MilosevichSault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
All Ford products since 1963 were factory-equipped with seatbelt anchoring plates welded to the floorpan. Although seatbelts were not required as standard equipment until 1965, the federal government mandated the belt mounts before the seatbelts themselves.
The anchors are sheetmetal plates welded to the bottom of the floorpan and are threaded to accept a seatbelt-mounting bolt. On your fastback, the plates aren't in the flat portion of the floorpan under the seat cushion. They're where the floor begins to curve up into the seatback area on either side of the transmission tunnel and in the corners under the interior side panels.
I believe someone has covered your anchor areas with sealer in order to keep the elements from entering the car. If you carefully clean and scrape the seatback area of the floorpan, you should find threaded holes. The fiberglass interior side panels may have to be loosened or removed to gain access to the holes in the corner area. Once the anchors are located, seatbelts are simply bolted in. The unique bolts are available from most Mustang parts vendors.
Them's The BrakesI have owned my '6411/42 Weber-injected Mustang hardtop since 1974 and would like to install a front disc-brake kit. I'm running '65 14x5-inch Styled Steel rims and don't want to change the size. Stainless Steel Brakes' Web page states that its kit (A120D) requires a minimum wheel size of 14x7. I contacted Virginia Mustang and asked about its kit (BK-146). They said it comes from SSB and that it "should work." Then SSB said it's a "hit and miss" with a 14x5 rim. I do not want to pay almost $1,000 for a kit and tear my front end apart just to find out it doesn't work. Is there a kit that will work with a 14x5 rim?Ralph PaceSan Carlos, CA
I'm sure you realize that early Mustangs were available with disc brakes and 5-inch Styled Steel wheels from the factory. If original '65 parts are used, the wheels should fit without incident.
The aftermarket kits you describe utilize a new caliper designed by Stainless Steel Brakes. They are excellent in design and function, however, they differ slightly in dimension from the original '65-'66 calipers. The size difference is the reason for their disclaimer and requirement of a 7-inch wheel.
Your 5-inch wheel can be used if you either include a wheel spacer between the rotor and wheel or use original Ford calipers in place of the aftermarket units. Spacers are easily obtained from any tire shop or parts vendor, and a 11/44-inch is all that's necessary to provide clearance between the wheel and caliper. Original Ford calipers that have been rebuilt with stainless steel pistons are available from Stainless Steel Brakes. I'm sure they will provide these calipers in place of their new style when ordering a disc-brake conversion kit. Disc brakes will make a big difference in the braking performance of your Mustang and are well worth the effort to install.