hatch weatherstrip options??

[yoshi_w]

Hi, I used the search function and when I looked at options for the hatch weatherstripping, there weren't a lot of options. From what I see there is the Victoria British, MSA, Black Dragon, or Kia sportage among other cars. I was curious if anyone knows weather anything from McMaster-Carr or other universal weatherstripping manufacturers will work and what's the part #? its for a 1973 240z btw. Thanks for any help!

Edited January 20, 2011 by yoshi_w

[Zs-ondabrain]

There are 2 different weatherstrippings for the hatch. An Inner, which is a thick, square and has formed corners. A continuous loop

The outer is available in a stock 3 peice or preformed single piece. It's placed on the outer area via the outer lip and some weatherstripping glue. Both are avaliable

I would Honestly go with the MSA unit. I believe they have both OEM Nissan pieces as well as aftermarket.

Me and Z_Tyler_Z (another member) installed the Kia weatherstripping on his 280Z hatch and it worked, but I won't say I was impressed with the look and fit of it. This is an area of the car that you don't wanna skimp on. If it's too thin, it'll not only leak, it'll allow exhaust fumes into the car at speeds.

Hopefully this helps,

Dave

[jmortensen]

Hmm... my original and replacement hatch weatherstrip was forever falling off and being glued back on again. I was planning on replacing it with a door weatherstrip to prevent this from happening, and am disappointed to hear that it didn't work so well. What exactly was the problem? Not tall enough? There are other options out there that are thicker if that's the main issue.

[Zs-ondabrain]

That's cause ya did it wrong Jon..

Just the wrong shape for use in the hatch area.

As for the OEM and aftermarket replacement, The surface needs to be Very clean. When I instal the rear hatch, I clean the hell out of it, rough up the surface so the glue has something to stick to, then rewipe the area with rubbing alcohol to make sure it's spotless.

The I take the weatherstripping and use a rag moist with Rubbing alcohol to clean off any packing oil or lubricants from the manufacturing process. Then I use 220 Sandpaper to rough up the glueing surface of the rubber then wipe it down again with more rubbing alcohol to wipe away loose rubber and debre. I prewipe it to keep the sandpaper from forcing the oils and dirts into the rubber as I rough it up.

I use only the 3M Weatherstripping glue. It's a contact glue, so apply it to the rubber first and spread a good even film over all the mounting surface. Set that aside and do the mounting surface of the car in the same fashion.

This should all be done in a warm environment (room temp? about 65 degrees)

Hey jon, Check your PM in a few minutes.

Dave

[bavarian06]

I thought the hatch weather strip from MSA is backordered indefinitely?

[yoshi_w]

msa sounds like the best option, but if its back-ordered thats a dissapointment. can anyone confirm this? thanks for the help!

[jmortensen]

I wouldn't give up on door weather strips. There are a lot of options, there has to be one that fits, and it doesn't preclude you using the other factory strips that go around the upper lip on the body.

[ZCurves]

I know there are a lot of opinions about the different weatherstrip kits. All I offer is what I have experienced. I bought the Precision kit from PSP.com. I thought it was of super quality - except for the Rear Outer Hatch seal. I am still looking for one that does not cause the 'slamming' issue. The doors fit fairly well - I did have to adjust the strikers though. Everything else was fine.

[yoshi_w]

I was just gonna order the mcmaster-carr for the doors and just need the hatch weatherstrip, because I need to save money where I can as a college student, plus I don't need all the parts that come wit the Precision kit. Thanks for the suggestion though! so for the kia door weatherstrip on the hatch solution, does that only work for the inner or outer weatherstrip on the hatch?

[Zs-ondabrain]

Inner.

You need a smaller one on the outer. Too thick and the hatch won't close

[yoshi_w]

so I still need a reproduction outer one then. will a kia sportage hatch weatherstrip work for the inner hatch of the 240z? or if I get the door weatherstrips from a sportage will just one suffice for the whole inner hatch strip? thanks for all the help!

[Bradz240]

I tried BD rear hatch weatherstrip on 76 Z and hatch wouldn't close. Found an '88 Subaru Justy in the jy. It fit and closes without issues. It is longer than Z so it I had to cut about a foot out. Didn't leak from hose test. It appears to be a similar profile to the McMaster Carr, but is a smaller size. Also looked up a price on line for new, $100.

Brad