When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm going to replace the carpet on my 79 within the next few months because the one installed right now seems to be at least 10 years old when the car was restored in the States somewhere. I also spilled a bunch of anti-freeze onto the rear carpet and I couldn't clean it up very well, so replacement is a must.
I'm going to order the full carpet set from Willcox, I hope you don't have any bad comments about the carpet they sell Because the rear insulation cloth or material that goes under the carpet also got wet from the anti-freeze, I decided to order the insulation kit for the whole floor, too. I'm now wondering if there is anything else I better replace while the carpet is off? Seems like my floor is generally in very good shape and I don't know if it has been painted from factory or from the restoration, but it's clean and no signs of rust.
You will regret replacing your carpet without adding sound & heat barriers. Thermo-Tec Cool-It works well for heat & sound, but it is expensive. I used a whole layer of Thermo-Tec then relined the high heat areas with reflectix. I don't know how hard either of these will be to get where you are located.
Firstly, the old carpet was attached onto the rear part of the door via some kind of a plastic bar that nicely sat on the door edge. It wasn't exactly the carpet that ended there but there was a velvet textile sewn to the carpet which then covered the door edge. What I want to ask is that does the replacement carpet kit have the same kind of velvet there and do I need to take those plastic bars off the old carpet? Hard to explain this, pictures hopefully help more.
Second thing - the sound insulation. There already is some sort of stuff installed from the previous restoration and I don't know if I should leave those mats in there. The driver-side can be seen and hereby I'd also like to ask whether the rear compartment paint seems factory or applied later? You can also see some paint or whatever it is floating on the wall behind seats.
And finally, the old carpet rear end was sewn to the plastic bar with the transparent thread. How should I attach the new carpet there? I don't think I can sew plastic myself!! Would glue be alright in this case?
You could do the old while your there scenario ...
Add sound and heat insulation...
Dynamat is good for dampening things so they don't vibrate and create noise, and for heat insulation you'll need something like Reflectix
Also a complete stereo ungrade... head, sub, amp, speakers etc
you know while your there
Or just do your carpet...
Rod
I've got a 79' as well. Used the Wilcox kit. Did not use any sound proofing or heat proofing. I have yet to find anyone that can explain exactly what real world difference it makes. Also, they did not come that way from the factory, so again, I really wonder if it is even necessary.
Here is a before and after with the Wilcox kit. Keep in mind I did the seats too, again with Wilcox.
The only realy complaint I have is the felt that connects to the rear door opening and carpet. It comes apart pretty easy. Its put together with hot glue. IMO, it should be stitched together. I'm still struggling with this atm. Outside of that, for the money the results are night and day.
Unless you live in very moderate climate, the HEAT insulation is an absolute necessity. You can use whatever insulation you want, but don't confuse that with a 'sound deadener'...they aren't the same thing. Get an insulation with some reflective foil on one side, so it will reflect the radiant heat. In my opinion, that's all you need under the carpeting, and it will make a big difference in cabin heat level.
Mia: Really nice one! Well done. I didn't exactly understand the part that you had trouble with... Where is it exactly?
7T1vette: I was given some heat insulation with reflective on one side and some sort of white cloth on other side. It's meant to go over the transmission area and I think extends a bit under the floor carpet. Do I need any other heat insulation (to protect from exhaust heat perhaps)?
That insulation kit is what Willcox sells as similar to original jute matting under the carpet. It really isn't all that good at keeping heat out of the cabin. The trans tunnel heat shield is a good idea; but, it alone won't get the job done. Many folks buy Dynamat...but it is expensive. Others [me included] have installed Reflectix. It is insulation meant for manufactured/mobile homes and sold at Home Depot in 4 foot-wide rolls. It is inexpensive and easy to install (foil tape and some spray adhesive). You really want insulation over every surface in the lower areas of the cabin. I [personally] don't think you need it in the rear compartment...but you do from the inside firewall (as high as you can install it) back and including the upright bulkhead behind the seats. It will make a world of difference in the heat level inside the cabin area.
Good to know on the heat issues. I might pull things out and start over again. It was not that painful to do. Just seats, and sills. Not much else to it. The only heat issues I have stem from that heater fan staying on. If I could get that to stop things would be perfect! I'm in Wisconsin BTW, temperature wise, its not that bad without the insulation.
Mia: Really nice one! Well done. I didn't exactly understand the part that you had trouble with... Where is it exactly?
The felt that is attached to the clip that goes around the back of the inside of the door jam. It started to separate from that plastic clip. If you look at my pic on the driver side you will see the felt I am talking about. I don't have a pic of the parts that came apart on the passenger side handy, else I would post that right now.
mine started to come apart on the passenger side on my 79. i just sparyed it back together with some spray adhesive. as far as that strip along the back wall. it should come attached to the new carpet. i also did the the reflextic thing from home depot. i went as high up on the fire wall and trans tunnel and up behind the seats. so far i dont see much of a heat difference like everbody says but for the price and easy effort to install i had to do it. i didnt do anything to the rear but add new speakers
Oooh, you mean the plastic thing... I had a couple of questions about that in my mind whe I removed the old carpet! Mainly, does the new carpet come with that felt or do I need to remove the old one and put it to the new felt?
I used DynaMat Xtreme when I did mine. My wife was wearing flip flops, 105* outside temp, car was 210*, she put her bare foot all the way forward on the floor. She said no real heat at all. Before I did the carpet, insulation, we'd stop every 30-45 mins. for a heat break, just too damn hot inside.
The rattles also included the horn button and the plastic covering the gauges, both fixed now, no more rattles in a 69 Corvette!!!!!
Pull all the insulation in it now, out. I'm biased, but use something that you know someone has used with good results. It cost's about $175 for DynaMat Xtreme (ebay stuff)to cover my entire interior, including the short deck behind the rear window.
I'm gonna do the exact same thing on my 59 Bentley, when it comes time too!! (no matter the cost)
mine started to come apart on the passenger side on my 79. i just sparyed it back together with some spray adhesive. as far as that strip along the back wall. it should come attached to the new carpet. i also did the the reflextic thing from home depot. i went as high up on the fire wall and trans tunnel and up behind the seats. so far i dont see much of a heat difference like everbody says but for the price and easy effort to install i had to do it. i didnt do anything to the rear but add new speakers
Pretty much the same here!
Originally Posted by speedbird1229
Oooh, you mean the plastic thing... I had a couple of questions about that in my mind whe I removed the old carpet! Mainly, does the new carpet come with that felt or do I need to remove the old one and put it to the new felt?
Yes, it comes with new felt. You're not going to save anyting other than your screws and chrome brackets that hold the t-top straps on. I ended up replacing the center console backer board using some 1/8" particle board using the old ones as templates. The old ones tend to be pretty flimsy or cracked/broken.
I ended up replacing the center console backer board using some 1/8" particle board using the old ones as templates. The old ones tend to be pretty flimsy or cracked/broken.[/QUOTE]
same thing happened to mine. i did the same thing . worked out well
I'm also planning to create new backer boards and use the old ones as templates. Shouldn't be too hard. I'll also cut out the new speakers covers the same way.