I am restoring the interior of my 1965 Starfire and am having problems removing the anchor bolt for the driver seat belt. I was able to remove the passenger bolt easily, the driver just turns. No rust. I suspect it is stripped and, if so, don't really have a good idea on how best to remove. ???

Similar to today, many subcontractors supplied automakers with parts and accessories including carpet. My 65 had more of a 'wooly' vs. loop type material...when taking it out, I found the original "Barwick Carpet Mills" tag with make, model and date code information stapled to the carpet. A quick Google search provided some interesting automotive history on Barwick Carpet Mills bought out by Auto Custom Carpets (http://www.accmats.com/Company/acc.aspx)
years ago. They still make molded carpet for my Starfire!

Any ideas are appreciated!

Thanks,
KB

 

Love finding stuff like that.
Great detective work and gorgeous car.
-pete

 

Those anchor bolts are fun. Nice looking ride! Try using an air hammer low and slow while prying up on the bolt. May need a helper to push up on it from under the car. Maybe a small bottle jack on the bolt head if you can get an angle on it? Next, try grinding off the head flush with the floor then grabbing whats left from the underside with a fresh pair of vice grips. Short of that you may need to carefully drill it out. If you can save the threads on the weld nut just send a chase down the hole not a cutting tap. If the threads are shot drill it out to fit the proper size grade 8, fine thread bolt, flat washers and a nylock nut to repair this and still be safe. Do not attempt to use chineasium big box store fasteners...all grade junk! Fastenal will have what you need or an old school hardware store? Ask for USA grade 8.

 

The anchor bolts have a thread locking compound on them that gets dry and hard over the years. Heat is a good way to loosen it, but that's a problem if the belts and carpet are in place. You might be able to see the end of the bolt from the bottom and get some penetrating oil in that way.