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interior carpeting

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Jim_Newman

Jim_Newman

Jedi Hopeful
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I read with interest the recent thread on fitting repro carpeting and decided to have a go at it with a kit from Victoria British. Well, it ain't quite what one would expect from the decription in their catalog and it will indeed require some "fitting". What I wondered was, is it necesary or worth the effort to remove the transmission tunnel/cover and carpet it first?
Also, I'm thinking of rechroming the handbrake lever and I could use some advice about how it get it off. It's been there for 50 years and the two big machine screws that appear to hold the ratchet plate in place just will not budge.
As always, any advice greatly appreciated.
Jim
 
Jim_Newman said:
I read with interest the recent thread on fitting repro carpeting and decided to have a go at it with a kit from Victoria British. Well, it ain't quite what one would expect from the decription in their catalog and it will indeed require some "fitting". What I wondered was, is it necesary or worth the effort to remove the transmission tunnel/cover and carpet it first?
Also, I'm thinking of rechroming the handbrake lever and I could use some advice about how it get it off. It's been there for 50 years and the two big machine screws that appear to hold the ratchet plate in place just will not budge.
As always, any advice greatly appreciated.
Jim
Click to expand...
I can't help you with the carpeting but I can with the emergency brake. Start soaking those two screws with PB Blaster and also "tap" on them with an screwdriver, etc. and then more PB Blaster.
Once you finaly have removed the screws you'll see a gap about 1/4" around the emergency brake area. When you reinstall the brake handle assembly you'll want to fill this gap with caulking sealer to keep out the heat.
Randy Forbes had his brake handle rechromed and it came out beuatiful(check his postings for pics) and he'll probably tell you where to send it to get the same high quality job.
I have been doing a frame up restoration on my BJ8 and more than one person has said install the emergency brake FIRST when putting the car back together so that'll give you an idea of the job ahea of you.
Patrick
 
Jim, I don't think you need to remove the transmission tunnel to recarpet it. You will need to remove all carpeting first then take some notes as to what went in first. I would carpet the tunnel first. Note, the tunnel carpet will extend into the floor area about an inch. The floor carpet "butts" up against the tunnel carpet.

If you disconnect the rear brake cable at the rear of the car it's easier to come out in total, after you remove those two screws. Look carefully at the Moss catalog photos of the E brake if you don't have a shop manual. It really isn't that hard to do. Most likely you'll find the bracket holding the cable under the tunnel (the cable just slips in the slot on the bracket) has broken its weld and will need to be re-welded.

Hope this helps.
 
This is the bracket that needs to be welded if the handle wobbles around.
IMG_1462-1.jpg

but you would have to remove the tunnel to see it and fix it if needed, so while it's off, it would make the carpeting job much easier.
 
Might be a bit late as I assume you have managed to "persuade" the handbrake lever to come out, but I had a similar problem on my BN6 this year. After trying the usual soaking of Penetrene and CRC, which had worked very effectively on other stubborn parts of the car, and using an impact screwdriver, one of the screws refused to budge.

With the help of Dad, we managed to get it out by him heating the reverse side of the screw with a gas torch, and me turning the entire time with a large flat-bladed screwdriver. It smoked quite a lot, and as soon as the heat was removed seized up again, but eventually we got it. The heat didn't warp anything, and the handbrake chromed up really well, and tops off the new interior nicely.
 
Jim_Newman said:
I read with interest the recent thread on fitting repro carpeting and decided to have a go at it with a kit from Victoria British. Well, it ain't quite what one would expect from the decription in their catalog and it will indeed require some "fitting". What I wondered was, is it necesary or worth the effort to remove the transmission tunnel/cover and carpet it first?
Also, I'm thinking of rechroming the handbrake lever and I could use some advice about how it get it off. It's been there for 50 years and the two big machine screws that appear to hold the ratchet plate in place just will not budge.
As always, any advice greatly appreciated.
Jim
Click to expand...

Jim,
What model Healey do you have?
I can offer you some advise on the carpet area, if you have a BJ8.
 
Thanks to all those that provided advice. The carpeting, heat/sound insulation and new interior panelling (after much cutting, trimming and gluing) is now all in place. The interior looks great except for one area (which no one else in the car will ever see) - the upper surface of the footwells. How should they be finished - painted, carpeted, vinyl????
As always, thanks for the input.
Jim(BN7)
 
Hi Jim,

Where the carpet stops in the upper footwells (per the pattern), the painted (color of exterior) steel shows.

Congrats on finishing another item on the list.
Roger
 
Jim, I too have a BN7. Did you remember to install a piece of leathercloth on each outer side front panel before installing the panel?
 
Oh oh. Leather cloth, what leather cloth?? The panels were supplied by Moss and were covered with vinyl. The outer footwell panel on the passenger side has a large opening. The metal which would otherwise show through is now covered in the same black vinyl. The exposed edge of both panels is trimmed with a facsimile Furflex. Where, Johnny, should this leather cloth material go? I can remove the panels and try again if necessary.
Cheers
Jim(BN7)
 
Jim_Newman said:
Oh oh. Leather cloth, what leather cloth?? The panels were supplied by Moss and were covered with vinyl. The outer footwell panel on the passenger side has a large opening. The metal which would otherwise show through is now covered in the same black vinyl. The exposed edge of both panels is trimmed with a facsimile Furflex. Where, Johnny, should this leather cloth material go? I can remove the panels and try again if necessary.
Cheers
Jim(BN7)
Click to expand...

Sorry for the confusion Jim. Your car is correct, the large opening on the passenger side is what I was referring to. I've heard the vinyl supplied with your "kit" called leather cloth as well.

:wall:
 
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