Missing a Nut, Need 1 More!

[lonetreesteve]

My son and I almost have our '71 complete, but we are missing one of the very small, flat nuts that holds the metal hood emblem down. We have looked everywhere for a replacement and have come up empty! Does anyone know where I we can find one or does anyone have a spare by any chance?

[DatsunZGuy]

http://www.mrgusa.com/pdfs/73flatnut.pdf

You should be able to get them at your local auto parts or hardware store too.

[beandip]

try Ace Hardware

[EScanlon]

You might also check with your local NAPA or Auto Paint Store. They usually have a good selection of interior fasteners and flat nuts are easy enough to find.

E

[Carl Beck]

Hi Steve:

Part Number 63845-18000 Clip-Tublar up to 07/73

All the hood emblems I've seen have been held on with small tubular clips - I haven't ran across the factory use of speed nuts on the hood emblems. Although I wouldn't think it would be a bad idea as long as you can get to them in order to get them off again if necessary.

That said - I wouldn't recommend the use of the original tubular clips, which push into the holes from the outside of the body, and which are steel.. because the holes wear larger than original, the clips rust and the hood emblem can blow off at higher speeds. (lost two before I figured out what was happening).

I now mount my hood emblems with 3M Emblem Adhesive on the mounting studs and on the back of the emblem itself. Haven't lost a hood emblem, nor had a rust problem since.

FWIW

Carl B.

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[hls30.com]

I use a daub of silicone adhesive from the underside on the posts-it can be removed with NO damage to the posts or the paint, but will not come off on its own-it allows the emblem to be removed and reinstalled easily for replacement, cleaning, touching up off the car, or taking care of rock chips on the hood.

Let it cure at least 4 hours before testing at high speed...

Will

[lonetreesteve]

Thanks for all the great information guys, I really appreciate it.

Carl, Assuming that if we install without the nuts and considereing that our '71 has the much heavier metal hood emblem versus the plastic one on our '72, is the 3M emblem adhesive strong enough to hold down the metal emblem?

I would think that the silicon adhesive that Will suggested would only be strong enough for the plastic emblem. However, if I find another nut, I think it would be a good idea to add the silicon to hold everything together so the nuts don't rattle loose and I would also be able to remove the emblem down the road without damaging the paint.

[hls30.com]

One other thing to consider, the adhesive only keeps the wind from lifting the emblem, and weight would make it harder to take...Not that I have ever used a metal hood ornament(or that a metal one could lose a post to a clip.)

Will

[EScanlon]

If you're that concerned about loosing the emblem, instead of the speed nuts that Nissan used (and Carl Beck referenced) or the Flat Speed Nut that DatsunZGuy mentioned, try the PAL nuts in the following attachment.

They're kind of like a sheet metal nut that you can thread on the posts. If I recall properly, you can even get some with some caulking inserted in it to waterproof the back of the metal.

E

83-89palnut.pdf

[Carl Beck]

Thanks for all the great information guys, I really appreciate it.

Carl, Assuming that if we install without the nuts and considereing that our '71 has the much heavier metal hood emblem versus the plastic one on our '72, is the 3M emblem adhesive strong enough to hold down the metal emblem?

Hi Steve:

At 70 mph+ the Z builds quite a low pressure area over the hood, and at the same time it builds quite a high pressure area under the hood.. the result is that the hood emblem is literally sucked up off the hood surface, then the wind gets under it and lifts it higher still until it flies off.....the good news is that as it flies off the car, the high speed air flow picks it up quickly - so it never hits the windshield nor roof.

Metal or plastic - their minor difference in weight doesn't really seem to be a factor. Although I do believe that the clips (no matter which you use) do seem to hold better to the metal studs..

You can use either 3M Emblem Adhesive, or any good Silicone Adhesive... just make sure it's not a silicone calk, sealant/adhesive. (some silicone products are marketed as multiple use..but their adhesive strength is far less than the single purpose silicone adhesives.

The 3M Emblem Adhesive is what GM and Ford usually use... it's somewhat like their weatherstrip adhesive, in that it stays somewhat pliable (a type of RTV perhaps?) .. and you can pull the emblems off if necessary - then remove the adhesive with a little dab of lacquer thinner.

I apply it to both posts, then run a very thin bead around the inside of the groove around the outer edge (see arrow in the picture below). That way it seals the outer edges of the emblem to the surface of the hood and prevents the airflow from getting under the emblem. Once you push the emblem in place, if a little adhesive oozes out - you can clean it up with a Q-tip and some lacquer thinner.

In the picture below - the emblem on the Left is metal, the one on the Right is plastic and Nissan fasteners are below. While the Parts Catalogs show "Clip-Tublar".... the bag of them that I have on hand show "CLIP-PUSHING".... same part number nonetheless. These clips don't seem to be a problem when used on the emblems on the rear quarters.. I don't use them on the rear deck lid either.. mostly because they rust there as well as on the hood.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Darrel]

Steve, will your cars be ready for the zccc show-n-shine and cook out at tynans sept 16th? You don't have to be a member to brings your cars finished or not.

[wfl_colorado]

Hey Darrel,

I might be interested in that, I am in the Springs. I will check the details.

Bill