18 replies to this topic

[monkey]

So I intend to install static 3 point rear belts using the standard mounting points. I think at some point the previous owner cut a hole in the rear seat to fit a sub :-( he has riveted an alluminium(?) plate over the hole. Is this going to be an issue for the MOT once the seat belts are re-fitted? If so can I just get someone to weld a sheet of steel over the hole?

Cheers in advance,

Steve

[Ben_O]

I would have a piece welded in and have done with it.

 

You could always ask if someone could cut a piece out of a scrap shell for you to have welded in. That way, it would look like it should.

 

How big is the hole behind it?

[monkey]

Thanks for the reply

Darn I was afraid that would be the case :-(

.....anyone in Norfolk have a scrap shell and a welder?.... :-P

I don't know, I'll try and get a pic from the boot side tomorrow, if I remember correctly it's either a 10 or 12 inch circle for a sub

[Blatherskite]

Minisport sell a rear seat bulkhead (Heritage, part no. 24A2205), which incidentally has a hole in the middle - are you sure your bulkhead needs welded?

[monkey]

Well the hole is definitely not a factory hole and it's not in the centre as can be seen by the pic. Like I say I'll try and get a pic from the boot side tomorrow. To be honest I was hoping it could be left as is, but as it is close to the seatbelt mount I wondered if it would be a MOT fail

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

Idealy, I'm sure you want it to be a nice ribbed rear seat back. Surely structurally the car passed an mot with the sub sitting in it, so taking a sub out would make no difference? ( at lease a riveted sheet of alloy is better than the sub!) Id whack a few more rivets in. Lets face it rivets are used on airplanes!? IMO.

[kyle9832]

if you dont have a welder i wouldnt bother mate, im sure it wont be a problem:)

[peter-b]

If you don't want/can't weld it, get the s/hand non hole style seat section and trim it to nice round shape and pop rivet it in with the right short steel rivets. Nice coat of right colour and I doubt the inspector would notice. Do it right first time.

[Ethel]

Within 30cm of a mounting is the rule for body structure, not sure if it'd apply to a belt mounting, but likely. It wouldn't be hard to make the flutes in a patch by making up a former out of some strips of plywood screwed to a board and a suitably dimensioned bit of tube to press in to them.

[peter-b]

Wouldn't it be easier just to get bit out of wreck, its not normally a rusted area, surely someone has an old shell with that bit intact. Hack it out with a cut off disc then trim it up with snips. Bring it round to me, I'll have it fixed in 10 minutes.

[Ethel]

Yes, but it might not be as easy to find a donor - though perhaps a Z Car project or similar?

[Jordie]

Errrr if seats are fitted and its covered from looking inside the boot it cant fail....as a tester cannot remove items or trim to inspect. If the rear seat belts are secure not frayed etc then i cant see how it could fail unless the mot tester breaks the rules.

Right or wrong.....thats the way it is.

In terms of safety and future of the car then yes it should ideally be replaced back to standard.

[Ben_O]

I have a complete bulkhead from a scrap shell which i can sort out for you if you are not in a hurry for it.

 

It's in my mum's loft 100 miles away so it would have to be when i visit next

[monkey]

Picture from the other side


Thanks for all the replies, to be honest I want it safe, it will be my 3 year old son and daughter (due mid November) that will be sitting in the back so don't want to bodge it through a MOT.

Sounds like welding up is the way forward, don't want to shell out for a new heritage panel, plus that looks like a lot more work!
I'm guessing welding in a patch wouldn't be a big job?

Ben - I'm in no great rush, where abouts are you located and would you be prepared to post it? (At my cost obviously!)

Thanks again for all your replies

[Ben_O]

Ben - I'm in no great rush, where abouts are you located and would you be prepared to post it? (At my cost obviously!)
 

The panel is in Kent but postage is not a problem, especially if you only want that half. i can just cut it slightly oversize.

 

Ill be down there hopefully in a couple of months