Yesterday I took the fuel tank out (some rust inside ). But underneath I found 3 patches of carpet, see pictures... I can't believe this is from factory...?

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

I believe that's normal? I had some on mine. Those are wear points where the tank can rub on the frame and rust through (mine rusted through on the right lower area in your photo. Leaked every tiem I filled the car all the way up until I figured it out).

At least it's not shag! Most people now use felt furniture sliders. Those three locations are correct.

Original pads on a 1970/4 …….

Not stock on the carpet. Looks like samples we sent out

Its stock.

They were felt on my 73 2.0. Clearly had never been off before.

My 73 originals were felt pads as well.

The carpet under the fuel tank isn't a wear point. The carpet retains water, causing the tank to rust until there are little tiny pinholes in it. Then you end up chasing your tail trying to find where the fuel smell is coming from.

Been there, done that. Still have the tank with the rusty spot. I would suggest replacing the carpet with some neoprene wet suit material or similar that won't retain water.

Early cars had felt pads, later cars used carpet. I think they switched sometime in 1974. In George's Tech Tips book he mentions carpet in tip 149.

Many thanks for all the answers... So it is a stock thing...

The tank hasn't rusted were it contacts the pads

I will rethink if using them again...

Clay's right. They retain moisture and you know what that will eventually lead to.

Here is a thread with some suggested alternatives from a few years back.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...332180&st=0