I saw this on HBZ and thought you guys may want to see this, as I have already ordered 2 sets for my cars:

Group buy – cnc door dovetails, covers s30 years 1970-1976, 240z, 260z and early 280z models. The first pic below show the all the dovetails. The initial dovetail part that Nissan originally provided is at the top - and as you can see, due to the design flaw most are broken around the screw. The middle dovetail is the current Nissan offering-still the same ‘pot metal’ material but now larger to prevent breakage as well as provide a part that is applicable for either door [vs. the old part which was left or right]. You will also notice the mounting holes are smaller-which precludes the mounting screws from seating flush. The bottom dovetails are the billet cnc group buy part and the second pic show the dovetail installed on my kids new project z. the third pic shows a close up of the cnc billet piece with ss mounting screws.

The new dovetail is a CNC design produced by jimmy z [he also made the fuel cell rings I offered previously on HBZ and has a nice line of billet products for the Z cars under his business ztek.mfg]. the material is billet 6061t6 aluminum. The shape follows the later Nissan part with the following modifications; smaller body-similar to the original, enlarged holes to allow the mounting screws to seat flush and with the precision of the part, no star washers are required. I have tested these on my z using the most hated door slamming exercise and they work great.

If you purchase the current Nissan offering they will run approximately $60 shipped to your door with mild steel mounting screws & washers [eventually they’ll rust…].

Group buy pricing:

$50 gets you a pair of dovetails, shipped to your door via priority mail, with stainless steel mounting screws and incorporates the hated paypal fee.

Additionally, when you purchase more than 1 pair, each additional pair [up to 6 pairs in the same box] is shipped for only $45.

these will be made to order and will ship within approximately 1 week from payment.

Paypal to my email at; one_tuffz@yahoo.com

thanks,

David

Edited March 24, 200916 yr by EVILC

Ok, stupid question on my part, but what does this part do? I do not have either one on my doors and my doors seem to close fine. Here is the configuration of my doors (see pics). I had the car stripped and painted a few years back, don't know if I ever had those parts since I have owned it.

The dovetail keeps the door from sagging and actually lengthens the life of the hinges by keeping the door from moving while you're driving. In mid 76 they changed to what they thought was a better system but it's only as good as long as the bushings are in tact.

Edited March 24, 200916 yr by sblake01

It also lines the latch on the door up with the striker plate on the body - then cushions the closing door as it comes to a stop in the body. {if all the parts are on the door jam}

Ok, stupid question on my part, but what does this part do? I do not have either one on my doors and my doors seem to close fine. Here is the configuration of my doors (see pics). I had the car stripped and painted a few years back, don't know if I ever had those parts since I have owned it.

in your pic on the left there are two lonesome holes, that is exactly where the dovetail would make itself home!

in your pic on the left there are two lonesome holes, that is exactly where the dovetail would make itself home!

Yes, that's on the door itself but there's also the spring-loaded part that the dovetail slides against on the latch side which is missing in the other photo. Without that I don't think that dovetail would do any good.

Yes, that's on the door itself but there's also the spring-loaded part that the dovetail slides against on the latch side which is missing in the other photo. Without that I don't think that dovetail would do any good.

i have the latch side as well if you are interested. going to the plater next week and will be ready in about 2 weeks [shoot me an email if you'd like, they are not expensive].

Ok, thanks everyone for the replies. Does my latch look like the correct latch, other than missing the spring loaded piece on the frame? I am trying to figure out where the spring-loaded piece goes. Anyone have a picture?

Edited March 25, 200916 yr by duffman

Ok, thanks everyone for the replies. Does my latch look like the correct latch, other than missing the spring loaded piece on the frame? I am trying to figure out where the spring-loaded piece goes. Anyone have a picture?

It's a separate piece that is attached using the same two bolts that hold the bottom of the striker plate:

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5616

Thanks, Mike, I have never seen that piece before. Guess I need to decide whether to get both peices for each door or not. Haven't had any issues up to this point, but better safe than sorry!

I just found a much better shot:

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=11970

i contacted msa this morning to inquire about availability of the part-which they call a 'door stopper'. last time in their inventory was 2007, priced at $21-each. now they are no longer available. bummer, i can't imagine how many i have thrown away. i will, however, have a few pair available once i get what i do have replated.