Just bought a new red cut-pile carpet set for my 78. I'm getting ready to install it and wanted to know if anyone had any advice. Bought it from mid-america and heard some poeple say to use adhesive to put it down and others saying not to. I just pulled the carpet off the storage comp doors, looks like maybe contact cement was used, still sticky. Any thoughts?

Thank you

 

You are going to get answers both ways, IMHO, I prefer to use some spray adhesive to hold some pieces in place.

 

Not trying to high jack but related in a way...what years had metal floors and what years had fiberglass?
Thanks!

 

I believe '75 was when the switch to metal occurred.

 

I would use adhesive in some areas - around storage area, sills come to mind.

 

my 77 has metal.....be smart with the adhesive....dont use too much. also, make a trip to home depot and get a product called Quick Roof. ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053 )

Its an affordable way to sound deaden and works great as a heat insulator as well. -Neal

 

Actually, 75 was the last year for fiberglass floors, 76 was the first for steel floors. The steel floors were added to help reduce the increased heat created by the catalytic converter.

Back to the original post, You have to glue the carpet to the rear compartment doors and to the cardboard backer for the console side panels. Obviously, it also gets glued to the kick panels, the seat backs if your 78 is a Pace Car and the rear speaker covers, if you have the optional rear speakers. The rest of the carpet, shouldn't need adhesive, but if you have trouble getting it to lay properly, a little adhesive will help keep it in place.

 

Was going to say, I don't think my 75 has metal floors.

 

Consider putting heat insulation material under the carpeting. The catalytic converter is a real heat-maker...as is the transmission and the rest of the exhaust system. The inexpensive solution is "Reflectix" which you can buy at Home Depot. Also buy a can of 3M spray adhesive (in same area as the insulation) and a roll of sticky-backed foil tape (3" wide). There are more expensive heat insulation materials, but don't get it confused with "sound" deadening stuff (ie, Dynamat) which doesn't really insulate or reject heat.

Place insulation under everything in the passenger compartment. Run it up the [inside] firewall, over the tranny tunnel, and up the bulkhead behind the seats. You don't need any in the storage compartment, as there is little heat generated under it. Spray just a bit of adhesive under each piece of insulation; when pieces butt together, use the foil tape to seal the joint. If you get Reflectix, it will cut with scissors...easy install.

The vertical sections of carpeting installed need to have adhesive applied or re-installation of the rubber carpet plugs to keep them up. Other than those areas, you don't need any adhesive under the carpeting.

 

Is there a trick or special tool for installing these plugs?

 

There is a tool to install them. It looks like a 4" Phillips screwdriver with a rounded off drive-end. It is used to push into the plugs, then push them thru the carpet and the holes in the body panels. They are available from the Corvette supply houses; but not many people use them. They will keep the carpeting in place (on the vertical surfaces); adhesive may do the same.

 

Thanks to all for the help

 

Why not start a new thread instead of really hijacking a thread - a rose by any other name is a rose.

 

Who supplies Mid-America with their carpet?

ACC?

I've had minor problems with ACC's product. Definitely get some spray adhesive.

While I don't know anything about Dynamat, I would think that any of those products with a foil side would be pretty effective in blocking heat.

 

Foil will reflect radiant heat; it won't reject convection heat. And the Dynamat material doesn't have much of an insulating factor. It may delay the heat a bit, but it won't reduce it much. Dynamat is a noise suppressor...not an insulator.

 

Isn't convection just a form of vibration?

I'd think the butyl rubber products would be good for that.

I've never used dynamat so I'm a little ignorant of the product.

 

Some materials have insulating capability; others just slow down the transfer of heat. Its like choosing slicks or snow tires....buy the one that is meant for the job. Call Dynamat and ask them for the R-factor rating for their sound proofing material.

P.S. I meant to say "conduction"....but my brain got in the way --

 

never heard of using quick roof before, learn something new everyday.

 

Adhesive wise, if I did it again, I'd use it in the rear. Front does not need it. Also, don't make the mistake I did. Put the heat shielding in. I've gotta pull it all out again to do that, so I will likely do the adhesive as well in the rear.