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76 Midget Questions

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capitalcitycars

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I'm 3/4 done with my restoration on my 76. What's a good adhesive for carpeting? Also, anybody have any suggestions for mounting Miata seats? Also, any advice before I start rebuilding the dual line brake master cyclinder?
 
Master Cyl: In a word, DON'T!

As to miata seats, they'd probably be hard to get out of due to the high level of bolstering they have on the sides.

Your upholstery shop or other automotive supply should sell carpet adhesive, I'm not sure exactly where, as I've never done it personally.
 
I think the only carpet I glued was the carpet to the rear wheel wells, and the frame structure around it and the front crossmember. Everything else is held in place with snaps and velcro so that I can take them out to dry out the car (which is necessary on occasion)

I rebuilt my master cylinder. It was a PITB, but it turned out fine and has lasted quite awhile.
 
Oh, I used 3M 90 Spray adhesive from Lowes.
 
Rebuilding the master is a pain. You'll need a LONG set of snap ring pliers to reach the one way down inside the bore. The nylon ring that should just slide out probably won't; the prevailing solution is to drill a couple of holes in it, and thread a couple of screws in to pull it out. The repair kit includes a new one, so don't worry about that one. After that exercise I wasn't sure I hadn't nicked the bore since I had to drill several holes in it, so I gave up on it and bought a rebuilt one.
 
I found a rebuilt master cylinder on rockauto.com for $50. It does not come with the resevoir. You may need to source the resevoir o-rings, but I think you should be able to find those locally no prob.

I rebuilt mine, and I have to say that it is definitely worth $50.00 for a rebuilt one.
 
For glueing carpet and material not much beats Scotch 77(3M)spray adhesive, it is what most good shops use and IF you follow the instructions it is great!
Bill
 
Thanks for all the input. I bought the $50 master from rock auto and the 3M adhesive spray. Still looking for guidance on installing Miata seats into a midget. Any advice or where I can get it would be great.
 
Ask Frank AKA spritenut.
 
Wait a minute, I'll think of someone (sorry Frank I thought you had). However, I think you only need to drill two new hole on the miata seat rails.
 
Dave LEib had themin his car for awile, but he is not on this message board. Here is a post from the MGBBS

"Will Munns, Cambridge, 1600 midget without front bumper - and P Reg F

There are two large bolts and one peg per rail.

The holes are on a slant, I bent these back horizintal with a vice.

I found washers which would fit around the fat part of the peg.

Then made up a paper template for drilling. (note LHS/RHS seat runners are different - more later).

(RHS) I drilled the holes for the inner rails so they went thru the chassis strengtheners as the previous seat, I added the washers and welded them into place over the hole for the peg, the thin part of the peg now pokes thru the floor and the fat part is bounded by washers. This process will leave the front mounting of the rail above the floor by about 1/8, add washers to suit.

I found that sliding the seat right forward, before fitting exposes the rear mounts, when these are in place you can slide the seat back to expose the front, and seat the seat. If you do this the other way around then even with the seat fully forward you cannot get at the rear mounts (crossmember gets in the way)

The LHS seat does not have the holes and the peg in line, the front mount is offset, I trimmed it back a bit to make them more in line to alow the peg and the nuts to fit within the original seat rail

I fitted the LHS seat in exactly the same way. BUT the tunnel is not symetrical so the LHS seat has 1" gap between the door and it, where as the handbrake binds, so when I next do this I will be moving the whole seat 1" to the outside, this should leave the nut in place in it's normal position and leave more space for the brake. "
 
Please keep us posted on this project. I am very interested in installing Miata seats in my car, too.
 
Don't ferget to administer the anti-rejection drugs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Seats are a piece of cake. Just put two in my 74 midget. First thing is to bend flat the rails front and back. You'll also need to cut off the algnment posts on the front of the rails. The seats fit with plenty of room, but you will need to drill new mounting holes. Finally, you'll need to out some spacers under the rails at each bolt to lift the seat off of the carpet in order to slide it back and forth.
Good Luck. I am very happy with mine. Although they are alittle more difficult to get out of with the top up.
 
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