Second Wind: the 200mph Merkur

4-barrel Mike · June 02, 2014, 07:15:49 PM

Shoulder harness mount tabs per Safety Solutions instructions (3"):

Wearing helmet & Hybrid Pro; turn on camera, zoom slightly, set time delay (30 seconds max), press shutter button, [tic tic] crawl into car, [tic tic] get into seat, [tic tic] get shoulder harness in place and pull down, [tic, tic] wait for flash:

Observation #1: you really need a second person to help to get the harness straight.

Observation #2: I can probably raise the new crossmember 1/2-3/4" (an inch?) taking the added shoulder height of the Hans into account.

Observation #3: I probably don't need to shorten the seat back any more.

Any comments or thoughts?

Mike

Buickguy3 · June 03, 2014, 05:04:03 AM

I think the rulebook says 10-20 deg. down angle for an upright seat. Keep in mind that's checked after somebody like "Monte the nut crusher" pulls your harness tight. That's when they look for contact with the seat and they want a downward pull on your shoulders and the Hans. We have changed ours many times. Different inspectors see the rules in different ways.
Doug

Speed Limit 1000 · June 03, 2014, 06:29:36 AM

Quote from: Buickguy3 on June 03, 2014, 05:04:03 AM
I think the rulebook says 10-20 deg. down angle for an upright seat. Keep in mind that's checked after somebody like "Monte the nut crusher" pulls your harness tight.

If that is a problem maybe you should redo your belts

wheelrdealer · June 03, 2014, 06:32:16 AM

Mike:

Firs,t love this build. I really enjoy the resurrection of some of the historic cars. Thanks for sharing.

When I look at the shoulder tabs, I see they are tacked in. Is there any plan to gusset the bottom of the tabs back to the tubes? Under some heavy Gs seems they could bend up or roll forward creating slack in the belts. Maybe the tabs are thick enough that cannot happen it is hard to tell.

Great job.

BR

4-barrel Mike · June 03, 2014, 10:04:18 AM

Summarizing, the diagram on page 32 of the current rulebook shows ZERO to -20* (10* optimum). However, the ALL CAPS paragraph on page 31 says to install per the belt manufacturer's specs (Simpson: 0-10*) and to pay attention to the Hans install instructions (their diagram shows 0-10*).

I see that I wasn't clear before. The mounting tab is current set at -5* and passes 1/4" above the top of the seat back, although the pic makes it look lower.

After spending a night thinking about it, I'm going to lower the seat back another 1/2" and leave the bar with mounting tabs where it's at.

Gussets will be installed.

Mike

Glen · June 03, 2014, 10:18:19 AM

Once you get it sorted out the next step with full gear on is to locate all buttons, fires systems chute release etc. within reach and with belts latched like being on a run. When you get closer to running set in the car and check it all again and once you know where everything is, shut the garage door, turn off the lights and do it in the dark. When something goes wrong it has to be a natural process. Things happen fast at speed and you want to use the proper sequence. Hope this helps.

Geo · June 03, 2014, 12:22:11 PM

I like the build changes and the car!

You do not need to use tabs. Wrapping the belt around the bar will work.

Here is the best instruction set I have found for installing belts:
http://www.schrothracing.com/sdocs/2009_Competition_Instructions.pdf
Thanks Schroth Racing.

Geo

4-barrel Mike · June 03, 2014, 12:26:46 PM

Glen, thanks for the good advice. I have a ways to go before I can do as you suggest.

Geo, thanks for the interesting info.

Mike

Rick Byrnes · June 03, 2014, 02:07:47 PM

I had wrap around belts in the Merk for my time with her. If you consider doing that, you need to think about restraining the belts to keep them from sliding outward and off your shoulders. Once put on devices to hold them in place, no issue.
Tabs shoulder harness tabs were added by Grib.

I'll say again, Mike, your doing good!

4-barrel Mike · June 03, 2014, 03:03:38 PM

Thanks, Rick. I didn't realize (but should have known) that it was Grib's work.

For my gusset-loving friends 8-) :

Demo'd on the front side:

Ugly welds done mostly laying on my back interweaved with the roll cage in the back of the car:

It'll look better after being wire-brushed, but I can see in the photo a place or two for more weld.

Mike

4-barrel Mike · June 03, 2014, 03:48:12 PM

Quote from: Rick Byrnes on June 03, 2014, 02:07:47 PM
Tabs shoulder harness tabs were added by Grib.

Oh! (With a sudden flash of insight.) That is what the 2003 logbook entry by meant:

"(1) New seat installed. Shoulder belts pull on top of seat. Re-engineer to pull on shoulder. (2) Remount shoulder belts. OK for this meet to be corrected by next meet. Lee Kennedy"

Taken care of Mr. Kennedy

Mike