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TR 3 Gas tank straps

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Tinkerman

Tinkerman

Darth Vader
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Afternoon All:

I note that felt was used under the gas tank straps and under the tank on my 60 3A. any reason for the felt? I would have thought that rubber would be better and would not suck up moisture like the felt does. Since I'm redoing it I really have my choice of material and would like to use the most effective stuff. Would like some comments from some of you more experienced members out there.

Thanks, Tinkerman
 
I bought black felt from a subwoofer shop and doubled it over , glued with spray adhesive to make a nice thick band, and made a perfect replica of the original. When I pulled the tank, there was zero rust (I was amazed actually) so I figured that felt is OK.

Under the tank itself I purchased rubber tank pads for a MGB. I had to trim a little but worked perfectly.

gastank.jpg
 
Pretty much all the orginal rubber on my TR3A was shot, while the original felt was still in pretty good shape under the tank. And I didn't see any evidence that the original felt caused any problems with water or rust.

So I went with felt. Was lucky enough to find some suitable felt weatherstripping at Home Base, but I doubt you'd find it at HD today. MMC still carries it, though.

I could be wrong, but it's my belief that wool felt will actually give you less trouble with water than rubber will. The water won't soak into the rubber of course, but it will "wick" between the rubber & the metal and then just sit there. Wool will let it escape and dry out.
 
I concur with Randall on the felt. The porous nature of felt will allow it dry out.
 
Peter, great picture thanks. Thanks all of you for your thoughts. Guess I will go with felt. Will be in Houston in another week, bet I can find some suitable felt in that huge city. Make sense that the felt would dry out and not hold the water.

Thanks, Tinkerman
 
I cut some felt strips from the underpadding that was left over after I made the pieces that I put under the floor carpets.

The photo of the green one I finished last year has the same felt strips.
 

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