What does the Dove Tail do for the doors?

[280z1975]

I had a half-broken dove tail on my door when I got my car and took it off, the passenger side never had one. My doors close well and never seem to have any problems ... so why are they part of the door? I'm putting together a list of things that need replacing on the car and want to know if these are something to drop 20 bucks each on? Thanks for the help.

[Mat M]

Where is this "dove tail" located on the door? I have not heard of any part on the doors called that.

Are you talking about the rubber seal at the top front of the door, just in front of the stainless steel window rail?

[280z1975]

Here is a photo of the dove tail:

[TomoHawk]

That looks like some kind of guide to align the dor latch.

When you say Dovetail, I immediately think of the ones on the hatch lid (like on a 280Z).

[zbane]

Gregg, what does the dovetail mate up to? If there is a hook or ledge on the jamb that it goes against, then perhaps it is a preventative measure against sagging doors. Since the driver's door is presumably the door that is used the most there may not have been a need for one on the passenger side.

Just an idea.

[sblake01]

I have a 78 and there's no dovetail. In fact, my latches don't look anything like that. Must be on the 75-76(?)

[76Datsun280z]

I have a 78 and there's no dovetail. In fact, my latches don't look anything like that. Must be on the 75-76(?)

Must be. Mine has them too.

[280z1975]

Must be. Mine has them too.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/SBC1B04E/30-2331

When you go to the Z Store home page they are listed only as fitting 70 to 76 year models. I guess they weren't important enough for the cars to have them for 77 and 78? They were on both sides of the car ...

I can't say for sure what they should align to as my car is at the mechanics getting the last little thing they government wants done for it to be road worthy.

Like I said, it shuts and opens easily and without problem ... still wondering what those little buggers do ... I can post some of my own photos once the car is back (between now and Friday I hope).

If you search for "dove tail" on the site there is surprisingly little on these ...

[yellazed]

is like this:

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6435/doorlockuk7.th.jpg' alt='doorlockuk7.th.jpg'>

The dovetail is on the door and slides into the lock where the little white nylon spring loaded part is. It 'guides' the door into alignment to prevent any clash and is supposed to take care of any slight sag in the door hinges.

[twsutt]

The dovetail wasn't eliminated from the '77-'78 models because it wasn't needed. The design of the whole door latching system was changed beginning with the 1977 model.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18960

[EScanlon]

Yellazed hit it spot on.

The little white spring loaded nylon block also pushes against the dove tail to keep the latch pin rotating cuff on the door pressed against the latch catch on the post of the door.

Later mechanisms inverted the design and then the post of the car has the pin and the door has the catch.

Here's Yellazed's pic with an arrow pointing to the white nylong block, which on most cars has yellowed due to grease and age.

E

[280z1975]

Thanks for the help everyone ... learned something new today (like most days with these cars) ...