Clip seals on inner fender?

[dankfrye@charter.net]

Does anyone know what the clip seals are that go on the inner fender? They are in BD online catalog on page 12 and it says the car requires 12. Whoever restored my 1978 280Z last time apparantly left them off.

Thanks

[Zs-ondabrain]

You may be refering to the 12 clips that hold the rubber strip to the body, that seals dirt and water from going out and over the inner fender into the engine compartment.

There are 6 clips per side, they hold a rubber strip that is about 1/8" thick, 30" long and1-1/4" tall?

In the picture below, the highest lip that you can see (with some black tar stuff on it) is the lip that the clips attach to and the clips hold the rubber peice up, to allow it to press against the fender, to stop water from going from the wheel well area, over the lip and into the engine compartment.

Confused yet?

Dave

[dankfrye@charter.net]

That's very self explainatory. Would weatherstrip glue hold the rubber piece on just as well? The weight of the fender will also press down on the molding won't it? I ordered the 2 rubber strips Friday night and my car is not here so I can see it, so I'm just making sure what I need. These clips are $60 for the 12 of them, so if I don't have to buy them I don't want too.

Thanks for your reply!

Dan

[Zs-ondabrain]

The clips are "S" shaped and I can't imagine paying over $5 each, that's rediculous.

I don't think glue will do the trick on this one. It's a flat peice of rubber that needs to be attached to a flat peice of steel, parallel, side by side. If your car has some, reuse them. Maybe even check out the yards or ask someone here for those clips.

Dave

[kenz240z]

Ditto what Dave says. Adhesive will not do. Those seals need to be clipped in place with the "S" shaped clips.

You might even be able to make a set of clips out of sheet metal stock. Say 20 or 22 guage sheet metal that you should be able to get at the hardware store. Cut in into about a 1" square, the use needle nose pliers to roll each square into an "S" shape. Pinch one half of the "S" onto the top of the inner fender, and the rubber strip into the othe half of the "S".

[jfa.series1]

Keep in mind the factory clips are spring steel. This is to ensure the rubber seal remains upright and makes a firm seal against the underside of the fender. Using sheet metal might work, but it is a soft metal that might give way and fold when the fender is installed - the rubber seal strip is pretty stiff. Once the fender is in place, there is no way to see if the seal is secure. If buying new clips is not acceptable, hit a salvage yard to get some from a donor car.

Jim

[dankfrye@charter.net]

Thanks alot guys! I'll hit up Roger at the Z-barn. He lives near me.

[Diseazd]

Yeah if you can get him away from filling out college apps for his son.......get back to work Roger!!!!

[dankfrye@charter.net]

Roger didn't think that he had any of the clips because 90% of the fenders that he removed didn't have the fender seal or the clips on them. The 2 fender weather strips are already in the mail but I refuse to pay $60 plus shipping for 12 little plastic clips from BD. Does anyone know where I might find these cheaper or another way to attach the weatherstrip?

Thanks,

Dan

[Bonzi Lon]

I have 9 that I will part with. Send a PM if interested.

Bonzi Lon