Picking HLS30 Windshield Wiper "Nits"

[Bambikiller240]

OK, here is an odd situation that has me puzzled.

I have been going through my Windshield Wiper parts and discovered TWO

different varieties of Wiper Arms. In my research it seems that ALL North American S30's

from 1970 through 1976 used the same (S/S) Wiper arms, and in 1977 Nissan

switched to Black finished Wipers/Arms, so this really seems odd to me. All 4 sets

of arms have Trico markings on them.

Does anyone know (I mean really "know") the story behind the differences? Application data?

The first Variety has:

Driver Side Wiper arm that is 11 & 3/16" Long, from Tip to center of Rivet.

Passenger Side Wiper arm that is 12 & 3/8" Long from Tip to center of Rivet.

I have two sets of these, one of which came on my 240Z which the P.O. claims

has not been replaced (I bought from original owner), and one set I bought

on eBay. My original set had been (poorly) painted black to match newer

Wiper Assemblies, the eBay set has the original S/S finish.

The Second Variety has:

Driver Side Wiper arm that is 12" Long, from Tip to center of Rivet.

Passenger Side arm that is 12 & 3/8" Long from Tip to Center of Rivet.

I have two sets of these, both were purchased on eBay. One of these sets has

also been (poorly) painted black, the other has the original S/S finish.

[TomoHawk]

I didn't now they were different lengths. (duh)

Is there a recommended paint? My black ones are chipping a little...

thx

[hls30.com]

Carl, More pictures, great!

I don't know the story, but I just ordered a set of the wiper arm nuts from Charley Osborne, and He said the black nuts were still available, and were probably ss underneath, but he had not been able to get the ss finished ones for a while.

All of the Zs I have had have fallen into your timeline in terms of what wiper hardware they came with.

Tomohawk, Appliance epoxy paint or powder coat.

Will

[Bambikiller240]

Will:

Unavailability of the S/S nuts must be a recent change as I was able to buy a set through Chloe in January or February of this year.

What length(s) are the arms that you have for your car?

I'm assuming that the paint on the arms was applied by an owner rather than the factory since I have one set of each variety in S/S and one set of each with paint......and the paint looks terrible (though quite different) on both sets. Anyway, the paint is coming off so I'll soon have 4 sets of S/S arms and Nuts.

[hls30.com]

Carl,

I'll measure them (an check part# stamps)this afternoon and get back to you.

Will

[240 in OZ]

The pair stamped 55R & 55L are from an early car, the others are from a later car.

My 09/71 has the 55R & L stampings.

Regards

Joseph

[gundee]

I had my wipers arms off recently. When I went to put them back on the same way I noticed they were marked L&R. I found out I had them on backwards for years. Doh! :surprised

[hls30.com]

Carl, mine from the '72 match your first variety. I have several spare sets- I can check them if you would like.

Will

[Bambikiller240]

I dove into the Z Car Microfiche tonight and I found a bit more info. Some of the info I found clarifies some things, other info confuses some things.

NOTE: This information relates to North American 240/260/280Z, I do not know how it relates to other market cars

Here is what I found in the Microfiche:

26380-E4600 = Driverside (L) Wiper Arm through 07/73

26385-E3600 = Passengerside ® Wiper Arm through 07/73

26385-N4600 = Driverside (L) from 08/73 through 07/76

26380-E4600 = Passengerside ® from 08/73 through 07/76

26385-E4700 = Driverside (L) from 08/76 (These are the OEM Black finished Arms)

26380-N4700 = Passengerside ® from 08/76

So, it seems that here are in fact two versions of the Stainless Steel finished Wiper arms, one set used through 07/73, and another version used from 08/73 through 07/76. The OEM black finished arms were used from 08/76 through the end of 280Z production.

Now what seems weird is the PN shown in BOLD above. It is listed as a Driverside Wiper Arm up through 07/73, and then as a Passengerside Wiper Arm from 08/73 through 07/76. This doesn't seem possible given that each arm is marked "L" or "R" and none of the "L" marked arms are the same length as ANY of the "R" marked ones.

I have only ONE length of Driverside (L) Arm (12 3/8") (diff. markings on the 2 versions)

I have two lengths of Passengerside ® Arms (11 3/16" and 12")

[Victor Laury]

Carl my 72 (june 72)

U408 - trico blurb - 55R

U409 - trico blurb - 55L

In the same format as the top set in your photo except they are unpainted stainless

[Bambikiller240]

Hi Victor:

Thanks for checking your wiper arms. It's looking like the longer passengerside arm is for 260 and early 280Z production.

I removed the black paint from the 2 sets I have that "were" painted. The paint on one set practically fell off with a quick wash in Lacquer Thinner, and man are they in great condition! Zweet as ZRush would say!

The other set took a lot more effort to strip and the S/S finish is not that great. They have a "mottled" look to them.

[Bambikiller240]

Carl, mine from the '72 match your first variety. I have several spare sets- I can check them if you would like.

Will

Thanks for checking Will!

In case anyone needs to know (per Nissan Microfiche):

OEM Wiper Blade Assemblies:

26370-E4100 through 07/76

26370-N4701 from 08/76 through end of 280Z production

Wiper Arm Nuts:

26381-M0200 through 07/76

26381-N4500 from 08/76..........

26381-M2300 also from 08/76..........(go figure)