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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Carpet - transmission bell housing fit

I have a question in regards to the carpet fit for the transmission bell housing.

The carpet on the car was replaced sometime in it's life so I don't have anything to compare to.

I am using a kit of Karvel carpet from Kimber Creek.

I test fitted the carpet on to the bell housing and my question is regards to the "C" section of the carpet that is attached to the "bell" part of the trans cover.

Reading up in the archives I've learned that I'm not the only one that was wondering how the carpet on this "C" section can stay flat and fit nicely. Also discovered from people with survivor TF's that this "C" section is glued just along the edges to keep in intact.

I've also come along a thread where Matt Magilton posted a picture of this "C" section. On my carpet this piece is sewn together with the part of the carpet that covers the gear box and extension to the gear shift lever.

So was it originally separate or sewn in together in one piece?

Photo of Matt's "C" section below.

Frank

TF 1414










Frank Cronin

You can use some glue. I am now using the Moss kit that has this sewn to the transmission cover and I did not glue it. You can see the remnants of my old glue job in the first picture.

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_carpet.htm

Christopher Couper

For what it worth - on Both my TD's the C section was sewen to the GB cover. Only the felt type soundproofing was stuck to the metal GB cover. So the carpet was free to remove and clean.
Don't know if it is the same on theTF but they are very similar.

Rod


Rod Jones

Got my carpet kit for the TF from Moss and the tunnel cover is one piece. The MGB cover was the same, one piece. PJ
PJ Jennings

For the life of me I cannot remember if the original "C" piece was sewn to the transmission carpet or not. Both the pictures of TF9052 and the original 51 TD pictures I have that are close ups, don't show anything definitive. But if pressed I would say they are sewn together.






Christopher Couper

Rear showing the glue.
Note that this is listed as a separate item in the Service Parts List. The gearshift boot for example is not listed as a separate item as it is sewn to the gearbox cover.


M Magilton

Thanks for digging deeper Matthew.
Christopher Couper

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess when this carpet is new and fresh out of the box it is very very stiff. The "C" section just kept on folding back instead of laying flat on the bell housing.

Last night I left the carpet on the gear box and this morning it was much easier to work with. I guess it just needed to "relax" for a bit...

I did not need to use glue.

Today I focused a lot of time trimming and test fitting the driver's side carpet until I was satisfied with the result. A lot of attention to the curves of the kick panels so there wouldn't be any gaps. I removed to make slight adjustment cuts and then installed again to check my progress. I lost count how many times I installed / removed this carpet...

The passenger foot board is drying after applying glue to it before I called it a day. Tomorrow will focus on the passenger side of the car.

A quick photo of my progress.I still need to do some minor trimming for the carpet that is under the seat butting against the propeller shaft carpet, install lift dots, clean the rubber foot well that's been in storage for years....etc...


Frank

TF 1414



Frank Cronin

Looking good Frank!
M Magilton

I used 2" thick Velcro strips in stead of gluing my carpets.
PJ Nel

Frank: Looking good.

Have you decided how you are going to secure the footrest? See the link above for options. I went with the hidden snaps so I can easily take the passenger carpet out in case it gets wet or really dirty. You'd be hard pressed to see the Velex snaps even a foot away.
Christopher Couper

Hi Chris,

For starters, I will install it attached like it was from the factory. I do like the idea of snap fasteners which I can easily convert someday yet not too conspicuous.

As you can see in the picture, I have SS screws in place but not secured down so I know where the holes are. Meanwhile I painted some other screws black so they can dry overnight.

Tomorrow I'll be able to have the seats installed. I have to trim for the handbrake cable cover and three lift dots that was short in the kit. I'll get the three I need and some other goodies from Abingdon Spares in tomorrow's mail.

Frank

TF 1414



Frank Cronin

Some folk have hinged the footrest, then it can be s storage for spares. Thst is my intention.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

While on the subject of the gearbox carpet....on the TD 1250 the gearshift boot was not black but instead it was fashioned with the same green leather as the seats. Wondering if anybody else has come across this?
L E D LaVerne

As Matthew M has indicated, originally the transmission carpet piece was glued separate from the unglued carpet going over the gear lever, gearbox cowl etc.

A very well respected supplier of some T type parts here in WA used to manufacturer carpets for TFs from patterns he took from original cars
still with their Factory carpet. He did this in the early sixties. The small transmission piece was separate and glued on.

Cheers
Rob Grantham

Rob Grantham

"Some folk have hinged the footrest, then it can be storage for spares."

And smugglers. :-)
Christopher Couper

Late start today but I was able to finish tailoring the under seat carpet to the hand brake cover. Unfortunately, the installation of the seats keeps all that hard work hidden... :)

Another milestone reached. Tomorrow I plan on installing the Arnolt heater, wipers, rubber ddraft excluder to the windshield, and test my wiring for the head lights and low / high beam dipper switch.

A few pictures.

Frank

TF 1414




Frank Cronin

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Frank Cronin

last one.



Frank Cronin

Fantastic, Frank!! Bud
Bud Krueger

"Unfortunately, the installation of the seats keeps all that hard work hidden... :)"

But you know it's there. :-)

Great work.
Christopher Couper

Beautiful work Frank!
L E D LaVerne

For someone with deep pockets, the ORIGINAL KARVEL carpets are still available. Heritage Interiors in Vancouver BC bought the original factory looms to make Karvel carpets, including the templates, for the T-Series. They claim that they are the "only company in the world to offer factory-original specification KARVEL carpet".

https://www.heritagetrim.com/mg/

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Got my Karvel 'Original' Carpet from UK a few years ago. Used patterns from original mgtf carpet set to manufacture correct cuts ,form etc. Not hard.

I notice on the Heritage website a photo sample of a non original MGTF Black covered seat !

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

"I notice on the Heritage website a photo sample of a non original MGTF Black covered seat !"
:-)
Christopher Couper

I hope you are still smiling Chris, I am !

Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

This thread was discussed between 19/06/2019 and 27/06/2019

MG TD TF 1500 index

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