Product Summary
- 73-74 Chevy Nova, Vinyl, Black
Details
Reproduction 1973-1974 Nova standard door panels using the latest methods and materials to assure you get the highest quality panels anywhere! Every detail is finely crafted to allow for an original appearance and fit.
- 1973-1974 Nova
- Standard
- Preassembled
- Black
- Sold in pairs
KEY SPECS |
|
---|---|
MFG. Part # |
73XD10 |
Brand |
PUI Interiors |
Material Type |
Vinyl |
Color |
Black |
GENERAL |
|
Sold in Quantity |
Pair |
Installing Insulation & Loop Carpet on a Car Floor
I often find that some of the subtler advances in automotive technologies go over looked, and one that would be immediately noticeable if it were to be removed is sound / heat insulation. Perhaps time has faded memory, but those of us with hot rods and muscle cars will know that there is a huge difference between hopping in your cruiser and driving a modern vehicle. They’re loud and boisterous, but we like them that way.
However, sometimes there is such a thing as too much. To anyone who has worked on cars for a period of time can tell you exhaust drone can be a terrible thing especially on long drive. It can hinder your excitement to take your car out and enjoy it. Well, I didn’t have an issue with drone on my personal vehicle, but it was just a little noisy inside the cabin for my liking. Conversations were held as shouting matches and the radio was nigh on useless unless cranked all the way up. So, I decided that combined with the scorching heat we had this summer I would go about insulating the floor of the car making it quieter and cooler to boot.
Now, anything that goes in is an improvement as the cheap economy cars of the 60s were designed as simple grocery getters that got good gas mileage. Frills were kept to a minimum and ease of maintenance and cost cutting were on the forefront of production. My car came with a molded rubber mat that covered the floor there was no insulation. It was like gluing a welcome mat to the floor. That was swiftly removed as the years had taken its toll and it was prone to cracking / crumbling, and was rather unsightly.
I had removed that previously and had taken the cheap route as a teenager, installing a makeshift carpet from all thing indoor/outdoor carpeting from the local hardware store. This is going to be fixed shortly. I had used double sided carpet tape to attempt to stick the carpet to the floor, which worked to an extent.
![Car floor lined with carpet](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/84885_ArticleSection_XXXXL_13cc4b7f-e07c-4549-b032-30d34d4c1182.jpg?ssl=1)
First, I set about removing the seats, carpet and cleaning off any remaining gunk that was attached to the floor. There were some things that were missed. After that I gave the whole floor a clean with wax and grease remover to make sure it was clean and what I was about to do next would work.
![Cleaned car floor](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/84886_ArticleSection_XXXXL_967e27d6-1b82-4018-94c0-facfed122374.jpg?ssl=1)
I started by laying out the Aluminized Heat and Noise Double Sided Insulation in the vehicle trimming here and there to fit for transmission tunnel and seat mounting points. Make sure to cut reliefs for any bends or tight curves in the floor. I made sure to cover all the way back to the area underneath the rear seat to cover as much as possible, now is a good time to mention to be aware of the location of your seat brackets, seat belt mounting holes and any other holes or components that need to be clearanced.
With the remaining material I insulated the fire wall and behind the kick panels. I then removed the insulation and one last time wiped down the floor. Next, I took the Heat Resistant Contact Adhesive and started in the front and only sprayed a small section at a time. Working my way from the corner out, I paid special attention to the hole I had cutout for the shifter I used DEis Cool-Tape to tape the circumference of the hole to cover the metal edge and help keep from cutting myself and hold the insulation tightly to the floor.
Now you can use a Boom Mat Installation Roller or a Dynmat Pro Roller to help apply the insulation and get the insulation to form to the floor better. I repeated the procedure for the kick panels but since I can remove them from the car was a little bit easier of a process. After finishing I followed up with a Loop Carpet from ACC, I wanted the molded carpet for the best fitment but had to modify it for the hole I had made for my shifter. This is harder than it looks, there is still extra material that needs trimming and my suggestion is to use a very nice set of scissors intended for fabric.
After that was complete, I reinstalled the seats and admired how much nicer the interior looks. I then took it out for a drive and a noticeable reduction in noise and heat input was made. And now it’s that much easier to enjoy driving my car.
![Complete installation of floor insulation](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/68165_ArticleSection_XXXXL_f095ae67-2d12-4f5e-aa8b-5cb0463137d3.jpg?ssl=1)
Restoring a Chevelle Dash – 1967 Chevelle
![Chevelle interior](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204162_ArticleSection_XXXXL_4b4658fb-65d2-4b74-8729-cd1d56bf7318.jpg?ssl=1)
User experience & user interface. It’s a term that comes up a lot in e-commerce. I don’t know much about those terms in that setting. If you put user experience/interface on wheels, and that’s what we’re talking about today.
The dash in this car was USED UP. It was only showing 85k and some change on the clock but, oh boy. . . those must’ve been some hard miles.
After I’d finally resigned myself to taking the entire dash assembly out, I found that just about every individual component was either worn out or had deteriorated from dry-rot and age. The main shell had several layers of poorly applied paint and from the look, many applications of Armor All. I have a good friend who owns a wheel restoration and applied coatings business. I decided to enlist his help to bring all the black painted pieces up to snuff. He stripped, treated and powder coated the dash, ashtray and glovebox door satin black.
![Chevelle Dash A/C and wiring](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204182_ArticleSection_XXXXL_bb69f733-a25a-4ce4-8791-db01dd6e634c.png?ssl=1)
While Randy had the dash panel, I took the opportunity to wire the car and install the A/C evaporator unit. I also refinished the dash top and installed a new padded dash bumper. After I got the steel parts back, it was winter time. My garage isn’t heated and my wife has a pretty decent sense of humor, so this project moved into the family room, which was still all dolled up from Christmas. Please excuse the festive table coverings. They helped keep scuffs and scrapes down to a minimum.
![Chevelle instrument cluster](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204202_ArticleSection_XXXXL_264a6a82-edd4-4988-9435-9a14182985ca.png?ssl=1)
A few things to note, before the dash went out for refinishing, I cut in the holes for Astro-vent A/C ports and I located and drilled knee-knocker tach mounts.
Assembly of the components was fairly straightforward. The first item I installed was the upper trim “eyebrow” which in this case was woodgrained because this car was a Malibu. I’ve got plans for a Walnut rimmed steering wheel so keeping this detail was important to me. As I found with many Chevelle parts the only reproduction option for this part was a SS version, which I’m sure is a nice repop part, but they have a black wrinkle finished insert. The original woodgrain was faded and worn very thin in some places. In my search for the “right” shade and pattern of woodgrain, I settled on some fairly decent Contact shelf paper.
I wasn’t terribly wild about the idea at first but considering the alternatives, which included custom printing some vinyl wrap material, I decided that it was worth a try. I was pleasantly surprised with the conformability and tack. I was able to smooth down the decal and trim it into the cavity with little trouble. It did stick to that tablecloth and ended up ruining it, so I threw it away. Don’t tell my wife.
![Dash trim installation](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/170190_ArticleSection_XXXXL_1c7e7037-b4c2-4692-a1aa-0c61474fc72e.jpg?ssl=1)
Emboldened by a gamble that paid off, I assembled the rest of the components that live in that upper rail. I used the headlight switch from the 22 circuit wiring kit because since they’re based on GM standard-issue items, the pigtail was identical to the OEM switch. I reused the retaining nut/bezel and paired the assembly with a new knob and stem.
The same sort of arrangement worked out for the ignition switch. The original body was retained and a new key tumbler and retaining nut were used. I also, finally bought the special tool that’s used on the ignition nut. Prior projects were already marred and gouged from previously being gripped with pliers. I felt that a fresh start deserved proper assembly. All those components actually install through the wood-grained trim piece.
![GM style headlight switch](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204142_ArticleSection_XXXXL_b7f9b3a7-75a5-4b6a-9da3-fe5fa81512f8.png?ssl=1)
So, once that was done, I just had to finish the rest to see what it all looks like together. The radio sort of held that plan up. See my RetroSound article for details on that. Anyhow, once the radio was assembled and installed, I stuck the new Dakota instrument cluster in and buttoned up the remaining items needed to put it back in the car.
For the reinstallation, I enlisted the help of my son Jonny (with the lowered OBS truck) to give me a hand. My plan was to get the dash unit into place and fasten the bottom loosely, then rock it into place. Hooking up wires and components as we went. My biggest goal was to avoid sticking my head up under the dash to hook up wires.
![Dash installation 66 Chevelle](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204222_ArticleSection_XXXXL_e3cfb57c-5705-4fe1-9dcf-a78ab49c25dd.png?ssl=1)
I’m not gonna lie, I was pleasantly surprised at how well that step went. My only snag came as we started to close the gap at the top and I couldn’t see the terminals on the back of the ignition switch to route and hook up the wires correctly.
![amused](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/204242_ArticleSection_XXXXL_ce798bab-bea5-4288-ad85-b576ad7f6754.png?ssl=1)
Frustrated and still holding a fairly heavy dash assembly up with one hand, I improvised. It turns out that selfie setting on your phone is good for something after all. Who knew?
![Dakota digital gauge shift light](https://i0.wp.com/content.speedwaymotors.com/ArticleSectionImages/170194_ArticleSection_XXXXL_ec60c178-1437-4b26-8832-18cb1f8d2fce.jpg?ssl=1)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.