Windhield Seals OE vs. Repro

[Weasel73240Z]

I priced a new windshield seal for my Z out of Black Dragon Auto, and they have 2. They have an OE version for $270, or a repro version for $40. Now I'm sure the OE is somehow better, but is it 675% better? The cost of the repro version seems to good to be true. Has anyone had a problem using the repro windshield seal from Black Dragon? Should I just spring for the OE version? The car will always be garaged, and only driven in nice weather, no Massachusetts winters.

[Jeff G 78]

I have wondered this myself as I will be in the same boat someday. You might call Courtesy Nissan and see what they get for the OE seal. I have found that factory parts are generally cheaper through Courtesy than either MSA or Black Dragon. Sometimes quite a bit cheaper.

I did buy the aftermarket full seal kit for a 240Z that I had, but I sold the car before restoring it. The new owner finished the car and installed all the new rubber. I think I remember him saying that the glass installer struggled a bit with the windshield seal, but it looked okay once installed. I can't say if it kept the water out or not while washing the car. I never saw the car with the stainless trim in place either. I would think that could be another area of concern if the shape of the seal isn't perfect.

[sblake01]

Price for OEM at Courtesy-$210.53. Price as NissanParts.cc-$187.53. Reasons why I don't generally buy at MSA or Black Dragon.

[a7dz]

I used a Percision replacement in mine and it fits really nice.

[Blue Meanie]

I got mine from the local Safelite auto glass guys OEM. I paid a litttle over $200 installed. Make some calls dude.

[Z train]

Do the repro seals have the channel for the trim piece?

[beandip]

I also used precision seal kit and they were and are soft and pliable. I did have a installer put in my new windshield . He told me that there are two suppliers of aftermarket seals and that one is stiffer and harder to work with. Precision he said was the better of the two. I don't know about the OEM seals. Gary

[7277]

FWIW i just replaced the windshiled (safelite did the installation) on my 77 and i(fingers crossed) bought the $50 MSA replacement one....to my surprise it went fine in and looks G-R-E-A-T !!!

[a7dz]

Do the repro seals have the channel for the trim piece?

Look the same and fit real well.

[bkelly]

Does anybody make seals with out the chrome trim? I hate chrome and don't plan on putting the trim back in. If I could find one without the trim channel, it wouldn't look like something is missing.

[geezer]

I haven't seen any seals without the trim channel. If you don't like the look, you will have to black it out. It is not a good idea to just not install the moldings. The moldings serve a dual purpose. Besides being decorative, when installed they put pressure on the rubber cinching it tight to the glass. Without the moldings it would be more likely to develop leaks eventually.

[Z train]

Sorry,Geezer-the trim molding is appearance only.It has no sealing function.I have a half dozen 620's.All the original gaskets have the trim channel in them.The after market ones don't.This is why i posed the question above.

I'm restoring a King Cab and the 1/4 glass gaskets are a $180.00 for the pair available from one source only and they don't have the channels.