I have 3 complete sets of 68 Deluxe belts. I want to swap covers to make a #1 set and #2 set. I know that the meatal covers on the female buckles come off. How is that done? Has anyone done this operation? Thanks for the help

Gently pry the back of the cover out and up. It will slide forward and off then.
The bars inside can be moved for clearance or removed and the belt can be removed as well.

Thank you. I will give it a try today after work.

Bill, Geezer has the jist of removing the covers, but in practice, they will need some coaxing. I use a small, but strong flat bladed screwdriver. look at the flat end of the buckle (opposite opening end). Find the largest gap on one side of flat end. Wedge the screwdriver in and gently pry it up until the edge comes free of the base. Then take the screwdriver and wedge it on the other side, but on the bottom edge. Use the same pry technique to pop edge off base. Then cover can be shifted forward towards open end and up to get it off. The button will come loose at this time.

Putting it on is easier. clip opening side first and press hard to clip the flat edge onto base. Make sure you have the GM button facing the correct way.

On deluxe belts, you will not be able to remove the belt tensioner or belts with out cutting the threads on the folded end. If they were standards, you can squeeze them through, but not deluxe! Then you have to sew the fold back together after you reassemble the buckle. Sewing three layers of webbing on the fold is not for the home machine!

Luck!

Kevin and Geezer. Thanks for the help. Like everything else, first time is the problem. Now I have it down. This is great! I can even swap the push buttons! When I am done I will have virtually two close to mint original sets, and one not so great, but complete deluxe set. Next job is organizing and cleaning a bunch of std belts that have been sitting around the cellar for years.