Dash 'eyeball' outside vents

[mlc240z]

Haven't found any info on how to replace these. Can these be replaced without removing the dash? From the front or back of the dash?

Picked up a nice pair with good chrome to replace my green oxidized originals.

Couldn't find any specific info in Wick Humble's book on removing/installing or refurbing, and a search here provided references to them without any details.

Anybody have any experience replacing, details and/or pics please?

Edited February 20, 2010 by mlc240z

[ktm]

It's realtively easy, you just pull them out and then push them back in. Pushing them in can be frustrating though. You do not need to remove the dash.

[Darrel]

turn sideways so you can put your finger through the outer ring then pull, install is in reverse. ;-)

[TomoHawk]

On my '78 they came out easily after removing the screws and the air tube. they are screwed in from behind.

What other colour would work besides chrome (there's no such thing as "chrome paint"

[mlc240z]

Oh, geez.... that was embarassingly easy.

Thanks all, they popped right out and back in.

Everything should be that simple.

[Jetaway]

For those still looking for clean vent eyeballs but tiring of having them stare at you through baleful green fuzz, I discovered that a clear plastic polish does a pretty darn good job of cleaning them up. Maguire's is called PlastX, Mother's has one that works just as well.

Chris

[cygnusx1]

On my '78 they came out easily after removing the screws and the air tube. they are screwed in from behind.

What other colour would work besides chrome (there's no such thing as "chrome paint"

I found chrome paint. The problem is that it is very delicate without a topcoat. When you try to topcoat it, it dulls a bit. Here is an example.

These are white plastic spoons painted. The one on the right has been clear coated.

This one was painted and dipped in epoxy.

Edited March 9, 2010 by cygnusx1

[TomoHawk]

That epoxy-coated one looks nice& shiny Cygnus

If you can disassemble the eyeballs, then it should be better for painting or coating.

Edited March 12, 2010 by TomoHawk

[TomoHawk]

Do the eyeball vents pop out of the 78 too, or is that just a 240Z thing?

It sounds like a coat hanger would make a good eyeball-puller

thxZ

Edited March 9, 2010 by TomoHawk

[SteveJ]

I found chrome paint. The problem is that it is very delicate without a topcoat. When you try to topcoat it, it dulls a bit. Here is an example.

These are white plastic spoons painted. The one on the right has been clear coated.

(Images removed.)

This one was painted and dipped in epoxy.

(Image removed.)

Dave,

Could you share the name brands of the products you used (paint & epoxy)? I wouldn't mind experimenting some, too.

Thanks,

Steve

[ChrisZ]

That chrome paint looks good, but if any of you want nice eye balls, then search ebay.com.au, there are one advertising repro eye balls.

Chris

[Mike B]

if any of you want nice eye balls, then search ebay.com.au, there are one advertising repro eye balls.

Chris

MSA has been selling them for awhile, both on their site and on ebay.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/SIC01D04/40-3419

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Chrome-Dash-End-Vents-Z-240Z-510-New_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439ddecdc0QQitemZ290411433408QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

-Mike