Hatch sill question

[mlaw7]

Does anybody know if there are any differences in the hatch sill on the various S30 coupe models from 1969-78?

Thanks!

[Arne]

I do know that there were differences, but I don't know any details.

[Sailor Bob]

Mine look the same on both cars except one is full of rust holes.

[mlaw7]

!

I am not as familiar with the 240Z series as I am the 280Z. I know the taillights are somewhat different, so here are two possible differences.

Do the tops of the 240Z grey plastic trim pieces attach to the hatch sill with rivets like those on the 280Z?

Does the 240Z have a dome light switch mounted on the hatch sill like the 280Z?

Thoughts?

[jtl260z]

!

I am not as familiar with the 240Z series as I am the 280Z. I know the taillights are somewhat different, so here are two possible differences.

Do the tops of the 240Z grey plastic trim pieces attach to the hatch sill with rivets like those on the 280Z?

Does the 240Z have a dome light switch mounted on the hatch sill like the 280Z?

Thoughts?

My 260z doesn't have a dome light switch on the rear hatch so I doubt the 240's do.

[Walter Moore]

My 260z doesn't have a dome light switch on the rear hatch so I doubt the 240's do.

And you would be correct in that assumption.

[TomoHawk]

My 280Z doesn't have a dome light switch on the hatch either. Maybe you are thinking ZX?

[mlaw7]

Definitely not ZX.

My bronze '78 coupe (manufacture date 10/77) definitely has a dome light switch on the passenger side of the hatch sill. I'll have to take a look at my other '78.

[TomoHawk]

Mine is 11/77. Can you post a picture please?

I will go look into this later.

thxZ

Edited October 16, 2008 by TomoHawk

[mlaw7]

Will do. May not be until this weekend though.

[bob m]

I think I bought a replacement hatch sill for a 240z from Too Intense Restorations. Send them an email. they will know if there are any difference.

Bob M

[mlaw7]

As promised, here are a few photos of the bronze '78 coupe.

The first was taken shortly after I purchased her last December. The four following that were taken at various times last winter and spring while I was in the process of stripping her. You can clearly see the dome light switch on the passenger side of the hatch sill in the first two photos.

I thought I'd go on and post a few other more recent photos from right after she had been stripped, blocked and repainted.

While the engine and tranny were out, I had the valves and cylinder head redone, block repainted and a bunch of parts like the intake manifold, valve cover, heat shields, splash guard and various brackets powder coated.

Also had the underbody, wheel wells and floors undercoated, the bumpers rechromed, seats recovered and mag wheel covers refinished.

There were only a few minor rust spots throughout the car - some small ones in the floorboards, a little under the battery tray and in the windshield channel, and a few small spots by the tailights. There was also a bit of rust forming on the drivers side frame rail that was only visible after the engine had been removed. These were all sand blasted and/or repaired.

The real fun was cleaning and protecting all the connections on the wiring harness and retaping all the places where the old tape was pulling away. New weatherstripping too.

Before she went to the body shop, I also replaced the struts, ball joints, tie rods and steering rack. At the same time, we replaced all the bushings with a poly master bushing kit from Energy Suspension. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings, which are not part of the master kit.

Later pulled the dash out and took off the half dash cap that was on it. I removed all the gauges, cleaned them, installed brighter bulbs from MSA and put a full dash cover on with a new dash emblem. Also replaced the short insulated duct that goes from the drivers side dash vent to the vent under the dash.

Now in the process of locating a few miscellaneous parts such as a new harmonic balancer, A/C drier and expansion valve. Once we have these, she'll be ready to go back to the body shop to have the fenders, hood, headlight buckets, cowl, grilles, valence, etc. put back on.

All of the heavy mechanical work was done by Kin Chan's shop in Cypress, TX. Kin is one of the technical chairs of the Z Club of Houston and has done a great job on my car.

I got some new replacement stickers/decals for the underside of the hood and radiator. MSA doesn't have the 301 paint code sticker yet, so that will have to come later. Also put in new carpet and belt molding.

Once the paint and trim are buffed out and polished, new emblems and side molding will go on and then a set of new tires. Last thing will be a muffler that's closer to the stock design.

More to come soon ...