bucket to fender gasket?

[Zak's Z]

The car is in the body shop, and the guy doesnt want to remove the fenders after he got them on if he doesnt have to. I saw in the microfiche that theres an "L" shaped gasket that goes between the headlight bucket and the fender. I have never seen one before and neither of my Z's had them. I suppose I dont need them then?

Also I assume the headlight (acorn) assembly with the rubber gasket on it just goes in from the inner fender side, complete as is. I took mine out 3 years ago and thats what I remember.

Thanks guys,

Zak

[Carl Beck]

That is correct.

I've never seen a Datsun 240-Z with a gasket between the headlight nacelle and the fender, and I've been looking since March of 1970.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Zak's Z]

Well, if you can't find one...I'm not gonna be able to find one. Thanks Carl.

[Bonzi Lon]

Zak's Z, I made a post a while back on how to make them as I made a pair out of an old inner tube. Works great and can be seen if you look REAL close. I'd post the link, but am computer stupid. Just look up my posts, they were real easy to make.

Bonzi Lon

[RIP260Z]

My understanding is the gasket between the fender and headlight cowl is used only as a spacer to help the panels line up. Since most cars from the factory were fine, they were used infrequently, thus difficult to find on a car now.

[Bonzi Lon]

When I took mine apart 28 years ago they were there, or at least what was left of them, disintergrated in my hands. I also knew that the base coat clear coat chips rather easy so I made a set just for the insurance. They may not be needed but made them anyway, slow day in the shop.

Bonzi Lon

[EScanlon]

I used Wick Humble's "dum-dum", i.e. strip caulk.

Since my fenders matched fairly well and I was more interested in sealing the exterior from interior wheel well splash that fit my purpose.

2¢

E

[Arne]

Hmm. It will be interesting to see what I find when I go to pull the buckets off my car for painting. Because I strongly suspect that they've never been off since it was built.

If I remember, I'll try to post back here with my results.

[Zak's Z]

Ya please do..I'm interested in this now.

[Arne]

Three weeks minimum. Maybe longer.

[geezer]

I like the comments made in post #5 by RIP260Z. This is only opinion on my part, but I think the gaskets were originally designed for and used as assembly aids that could serve somewhat of a dual purpose and also act as a seal in between the two parts. I am just visualizing how much easier & quicker it would be to align the nacelle and fasten it accurately to the fender with the gasket allowing it to slide in place with less friction, snagging or hanging up out of position. A seasoned/experienced assembly worker could very well forego this step, and probably did with the blessing of Nissans bean counters. A new worker learning this job may have used them only until they became proficient. For a restoration, I like Wick Humble's method.

[Arne]

Pulled the buckets this past weekend, no gaskets, and no indication that the buckets had ever been removed before.