Making hole in headliner

[rrTor-Red]

Been racking my brain with a few options but looking for opinions on what guys doin/using to make a hole for the shoulder belt, shoulder belt retainer clips, and coat hooks? I know where the shoulder belt anchor bolt goes in but what about the rest to find them? I mean, I'm nervous to make a hole(s) without screwing it up because it's new. This is a 71 B-body if need be. Thanks!

 

[69L48Z27]

Razor blade.

 

[SMS68]

Measuring from known points and drawing up a diagram before installing the headliner helps.

 

[autoxcuda]

Learned this trick from the guy that installed a headliner once...

-Leave the rear view mirror screws in before you put the headliner in
-After headliner installed, feel for the screw heads
-Get a 1/4" 6pt socket or one thats slightly smaller than screw head
-Put the socket head up so the headliner is between the socket hex and the screw head
-Rotate the hex socket and it will cut a perfect ROUND hole in the right spot.

Key is getting a round hole. So it won't start a tear in the future.

Should be able to do same if you can find a round head screw the same diameter at the threads of you shoulder belt bolts that will also bolt into your shoulder belt screw holes in body.

 

[rrTor-Red]

Thanks guys. Headliner is in. Forgot to mention in my post but the shoulder belt hole is marked, visors, and rear view mirror. Someone told me to use a soldering iron to make a hole but I'm too nervous to do that. I guess I'll go the razor blade option but just nervous

 

[Fran Blacker]

Have you cut a nylon rope? To keep it from fraying you melt the end. That's what the soldering iron does.

 

[Charles Cook]

Use a awl to penetrate through. I wouldn’t use a razor. I left the screws in the visor holes and rear view mirror holes but yours is installed. I would feel out the holes and run a awl through. Good luck.

 

[mrhemi]

Second the use of an awl. The only holes needing a larger cut are for the shoulder harness anchor bolts.

 

[rrTor-Red]

Second the use of an awl. The only holes needing a larger cut are for the shoulder harness anchor bolts.

I realize and know that. That was the plan but with my OCD, I'm just nervous to slip and make a bigger cut. I don't want the holes to "spider" out from cutting it through time I guess

 

[Beekeeper]

A stick pin works great for locating the holes

 

[rrTor-Red]

^^^ thanks!