Finally getting the interior done on Gold Bird

[Gold Bird]

Well after taking a few months off working on the interior project I am back at it almost finished. The new seat covers are on and look great, just have to dye some interior parts and will be set. My question today is regarding the new carpet. Went to put the last piece on for the drivers side and have a problem. The carpet has a hole where the gas pedal looks like it should go through on, but with the pedal bolted to the floor it does not fit right at the top where to high beam floor switch is. Should I put the carpet down first and then bolt the gas pedal down on top ?

[simplyconnected]

Your new carpet has holes already in it??? Usually, YOU have to put the holes in. Like Ray's carpet, Danny cut a TEE and slipped it over the pedal.

I had to do the same for BOTH holes. Once I found my initial knife hole, it was easier to cut from the back. Use a real sharp utility knife.

[Gold Bird]

Here's a picture, I did cut a hole in the carpet but when you slide the carpet over the pedal it does not line up with the two gromets at the top and the carpet does not lay flat?

[DKheld]

Compared to the placement of the pedal coming through my original carpet it appears the pedal hole is too far forward on your new carpet?

If you need to re-cut I guess you could have a new pad sewn in and use carpet tape on the back to hold the carpet together where it was cut?

I know this is not a great pic of mine and the probably Firestone floor mat (but original to the car) blocks most of the rubber pad - it's the only pic I have handy at the moment.

Maybe that helps?

Eric
Registry 5347

[Guest]

The carpet has a hole where the gas pedal looks like it should go through on, but with the pedal bolted to the floor it does not fit right at the top where to high beam floor switch is. Should I put the carpet down first and then bolt the gas pedal down on top ?

Tom, I think I recall what I had done when installing my carpet years ago. There was a hole in the carpet for the pedal rod. The pedal is bolted/screwed at the hinge tot he floor. I had unscrewed and removed the pedal and hinge from the floor. Then put the carpet in place inserting the rod thru the carpet hole, layed the carpet out flat and maybe had to enlarge the hole or make a new hole in the carpet to accept the location of the rod. I then re-screwed the pedal and hinge back onto the floor screwing it through the carpet.

In order to avoid fraying of the carpet I used a hot pencil soldering iron to make the holes so the carpet would melt and avoid fraying. Also think I recall installing a brass grommet pressed into the carpet hole so that the rod would slide against the grommet and not wear or further fray the carpet.

[Gold Bird]

It looks like I will have to cut back about one inch or so to make it all fit right. Too bad they did not make it right, what's the saying: Measure twice and cut once!!!! LOL... Things are starting to look good though, just have to dye some door panels and arm rest in the back seat to match the new covers.

[Gold Bird]

A few more pictures of the new seat covers.

[Guest]

Those seats look great. Are we putting them in the 36 ??? Just kiddin...

[YellowRose]

Finally getting the interior done on Gold Bird

I see you are getting things worked out. The seats look terrific! Ever thought about chroming the wrap around pieces at the bottom of the seats like I did? I think they look cool, but not if you want to keep it all original. It is to bad Ford did not think of doing that when they created the design!

[Gold Bird]

The seats would look good in the 36, too bad they won't fit! LOL.....I did polish my seat belts, that will give me some extra shine.

[ncbird]

source

Can you tell us the source for the covers and the carpet?

[Gold Bird]

Both came from T-Bird headquarters in Ca. www.tbirdhq.com

[DKheld]

My carpet had been replaced - took the rubber floor mat out to get another pic of the carpet for you and remembered Dad and Mom replacing it in the 70's when the gas crunch hit. He tried to trade it but all the dealers wanted him to pay to have it hauled off. Dad just refurbished a few things and kept driving it - he always said that the gas crunch would be over before the gas mileage was made up in the purchase price of a new economy car - good thing he was right. They used generic carpet and Mom's "do everything" Viking sewing machine bound the edges after they cut it out. They may have cut out the original pad and glued it back in. Don't think they replaced the carpet on the tunnel - it looks a little different. Carpeted the trunk at that time too.

Hope you have yours straightened out.
Eric
registry 5347

[Gold Bird]

Here is a picture of the driver carpet, I had to cut the vinyl part for the gas pedal to fit right.

[DKheld]

Turned out great if you ask me .....

Eric
registry 5347