Correct Carpet Installation

[Kurt B.]

I am trying to determine what are the correct factory original components for carpeting the interior of my 68 coupe. I know it should be 80/20 loop but don't know what goes under the carpet (i.e jute, foam rubber, nothing,etc) and should something be under the sill plates as well? What about firewall side of interior, rear deck area etc.? My goal is to recarpet as it was done by the factory in 1968. I desperately need help and appreciate all comments and suggestions as long as I end up with factory original installation. Thank you in advance to all, Kurt Bunting NCRS#26406

[Tony H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Kurt,

I have seen correct backing advertised by a few Corvette parts houses. I'll look for those advertisers and forward them later. Perhaps others on the DB have those at hand. You may wish to call Dr Rebuild at 203-366-1332 to inquire about their backing.

More importantly however is what is on the visible side such as heel pad and dimmer switch pad (if applicable). The reproductions out there are not necessarily as original no matter what they claim. When I hsopped for carpet, I had various companies send me examples of their heel pads fpr comparison to my original. If your heel pad is in good condition I would send it to Romeo Engineering in Hillman, Michigan. They did an excellent job with mine to exactly match the original cut pile carpet in my 1970 coupe with my original pads. Their number is (at least was in 1994) 517-742-4809. They even duplicated the original bob-in done in gray thread!

Tony

[Tony H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Kurt,

I have seen correct backing advertised by a few Corvette parts houses. I'll look for those advertisers and forward them later. Perhaps others on the DB have those at hand. You may wish to call Dr Rebuild at 203-366-1332 to inquire about their backing.

More importantly however is what is on the visible side such as heel pad and dimmer switch pad (if applicable). The reproductions out there are not necessarily as original no matter what they claim. When I hsopped for carpet, I had various companies send me examples of their heel pads fpr comparison to my original. If your heel pad is in good condition I would send it to Romeo Engineering in Hillman, Michigan. They did an excellent job with mine to exactly match the original cut pile carpet in my 1970 coupe with my original pads. Their number is (at least was in 1994) 517-742-4809. They even duplicated the original bob-in done in gray thread!

Tony

[Jack H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

The Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) does a pretty good job of documenting the individual pieces and how they're laid. You'll find jute pads under the carpet and might want to consider re-using your originals if they're still there. The AIM can be obtained through many sources including the NCRS Member Library in Cincy.

Two things you probably will NOT find documented in the AIM are:

(1) Cutting the 'flaps' in your carpet to cover/hide the front mount

bolts on your seats. These are 3-sided rectangular cuts intended

to lift enough carpet to overlay the front seat rail mounting

bolts for visual modesty. They were done by hand in a rushed and

irregular fashion by individual workers. (2) You may not see the use of three PIF (push-in-fastener) rubber

grommets called out by the AIM for insertion in the rear panel

carpet. If you happen to have a convertible, these are a BIG

DEAL because without them rain/water moving through your rear

outside vent will wick and wet your rear carpet causing you to

look EVERYWHERE for the source of water. Reba Whittington

taught me this trick ending a 3-year 'saga' of replacing weather

striping, Etc....

[Jack H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

The Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) does a pretty good job of documenting the individual pieces and how they're laid. You'll find jute pads under the carpet and might want to consider re-using your originals if they're still there. The AIM can be obtained through many sources including the NCRS Member Library in Cincy.

Two things you probably will NOT find documented in the AIM are:

(1) Cutting the 'flaps' in your carpet to cover/hide the front mount

bolts on your seats. These are 3-sided rectangular cuts intended

to lift enough carpet to overlay the front seat rail mounting

bolts for visual modesty. They were done by hand in a rushed and

irregular fashion by individual workers. (2) You may not see the use of three PIF (push-in-fastener) rubber

grommets called out by the AIM for insertion in the rear panel

carpet. If you happen to have a convertible, these are a BIG

DEAL because without them rain/water moving through your rear

outside vent will wick and wet your rear carpet causing you to

look EVERYWHERE for the source of water. Reba Whittington

taught me this trick ending a 3-year 'saga' of replacing weather

striping, Etc....

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Kurt,

1) Yes, there was a firewall insulation piece used in your car, and unless you purposely remove it, it is probably still there, quite high actually on the firewall.

2) The grommets that Jack mentions are used both at the FRONT edge of the FRONT carpet, as well as the BACK edge of the storage compartment area. Be careful not to poke your screwdriver thru the grommet as you reinstall them. Some silicone on the outer surface of the grommet will help it slide thru.

3) No, no particular items sandwiched between the sill and the fibergalss, other than the edge of the carpet.

4) Ther has been variable use documented of heat shields in these cars. I have seen some cars with a very heavy tar-like fiber paper stuck to the floor in the foot well area. Also, the jute used originally also had a hard backing which was against the carpet. Thus you would have carpet/backing/jute, and then possibly fiber heat shield. I have the original backing and jute out of a 70 car in my basement to use as a pattern in redoing my car, as the jute you buy from others, or that comes attached, is slightly different in its shape and location.

Anyway, this is my understanding of 68-72 carpet and underlayment. If you look in magazines, you will see some companies advertising various materials; you may want to check if it is the fiber shield or the jute with hard backing. I do not know off hand.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Kurt,

1) Yes, there was a firewall insulation piece used in your car, and unless you purposely remove it, it is probably still there, quite high actually on the firewall.

2) The grommets that Jack mentions are used both at the FRONT edge of the FRONT carpet, as well as the BACK edge of the storage compartment area. Be careful not to poke your screwdriver thru the grommet as you reinstall them. Some silicone on the outer surface of the grommet will help it slide thru.

3) No, no particular items sandwiched between the sill and the fibergalss, other than the edge of the carpet.

4) Ther has been variable use documented of heat shields in these cars. I have seen some cars with a very heavy tar-like fiber paper stuck to the floor in the foot well area. Also, the jute used originally also had a hard backing which was against the carpet. Thus you would have carpet/backing/jute, and then possibly fiber heat shield. I have the original backing and jute out of a 70 car in my basement to use as a pattern in redoing my car, as the jute you buy from others, or that comes attached, is slightly different in its shape and location.

Anyway, this is my understanding of 68-72 carpet and underlayment. If you look in magazines, you will see some companies advertising various materials; you may want to check if it is the fiber shield or the jute with hard backing. I do not know off hand.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Patrick

[Kurt B.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Patrick, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Just want to say "Thank you" for the detail and helpful information on the carpets issue. It is much appreciated. Kurt Bunting

[Kurt B.]

Re: Correct Carpet Installation

Patrick, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Just want to say "Thank you" for the detail and helpful information on the carpets issue. It is much appreciated. Kurt Bunting