TR2/3/3A 1960 tr3 a carpeting the floor

[Tinkerman]

So what I have is a very inexpensive carpet set I bought on ebay. Plus a large piece of felt underlayment. My plan is to put this in now and leave it in for the rest of the restoration THEN replace it with a good set of carpeting. My question is: does the underlayment go under every section of carpet that touches the flooring? Tunnel and all? Or does it go under every piece of carpeting, sides and all.
I'm at a bit of a loss here because I have never done this before.
Any and all thoughts would be very appreciated.

Thanks, Tinkerman

 

[sammyb]

Since TR3s didn't originally come with underlayment, it's your call where to put it. I've had one with it everywhere, one nowhere. My last TR3 had it on all the floors, but not on the tranny tunnel. Since underlayment is essentially a noise and heat insulator, if you want to drown out the heat and noise from the transmission tunnel (I liked to rest my arm on it and get the heat when it was cold out), you can use it there.

Underlayment is pretty much hidden. Sometimes you can tell it's there, but nobody will ever notice -- even at a car show, so do what you want. There's no wrong answer.

Oh, and by the way -- I take exception to your signature. I've fixed plenty of electrical problems with a hammer or other blunt weapons of force...especially with British cars with poor ground wires!

 

[TR3driver]

Might depend on where you live, but I would definitely put it on the tunnel. Before I did, it would get so hot on long summer drives that I couldn't lay my right leg against it.

But I only have it on the tunnel (both sections) plus the floors and up the firewall. Didn't bother with trying to put it on the sides, etc. as there isn't that much heat coming through there.

 

[Lbp]

I re-carpeted my interior last fall. Instead of the standard underlayment, I bought a roll of water heater blanket from Home Depot. Fairly cheap. It's very similar to the standard underlayment, but has one side covered in what appears to be aluminum foil. Excellent for heat insulation on the tunnel. I used this, foil side down, under all parts of the carpet except the very rear. I also used velcro instead of snaps and screws, so when things invariably get wet, I can easily remove for drying.

Bill

 

[titanic]

In response to Sammyb's comment that Tr3s didn't come with underlayment. I remember my first 1960 Tr3a did have loop pile carpet and jute pad on the floor& tunnel from the factoryl. When it became wet, it helped provide the distinct smell of the car's interior. The leather,fuel vapor, and oil fumes also contributed.
Berry

 

[Geo Hahn]

In response to Sammyb's comment that Tr3s didn't come with underlayment. I remember my first 1960 Tr3a did have loop pile carpet and jute pad on the floor...

I suppose anything is possible but I am under the impression that they were delivered with neither pad nor carpet on the front floor... just a big rubber mat. A fairly practical approach in some regards.

 

[titanic]

You're right George, I must have been having a senior moment. There was a rubber mat in the floor area in front of the seats.
Berry

 

[TR3driver]

I suppose anything is possible but I am under the impression that they were delivered with neither pad nor carpet on the front floor... just a big rubber mat. A fairly practical approach in some regards.

I believe that is correct, except for a few early TR2s that did come with wool carpet on the floors.

I also used "water heater blanket" for insulation, but only after seeing the same stuff sold as automotive insulation (for about twice the price). I left it loose, for easy removal if the car gets wet.

Which, since I don't even own a top or sidecurtains (let alone have the mounts installed for them), happens about once a year

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I left it loose, for easy removal if the car gets wet...

Of course you mean when.