Inner fender weatherstrip

[Darylick]

There is a weatherstrip that fits between the top rail of the engine fender and inside the top of the outer fender. When I removed the fenders I don't recall this piece although it seems the fenders have not been removed before. MSA has them for $27. The question is: is this a simple U channel strip and what the consistancy of it (is it foamy or solid or maybe that gooey tape stuff). Can it be replaced w/ something generic?

Also the small flat portions that the fender sits on I was thinking I would use double sided tape (you know the kind w/ a little foam thickness to it).

While I'm at it are the fender emblem holes the same for the one's w/ designation (260z, 280z) as they are for the one's that just say Datsun?

[Mr Camouflage]

Its a strip of flat-ish solid rubber about an inch wide that runs along a seam and is clipped to the seam with s shaped metal clips.

[EScanlon]

If you look at the cross section of the weather strip, it actually looks more like a "tadpole" or a comma. It has a bulbous edge that tapers off to a thin edge. One side is flat, the other has the curve like an 'S'. The curved side of the gasket faces the wheel well.

The purpose of this gasket is to prevent the splash and overspray from the wheel from going up and over the front frame member into the engine bay. You could probably replace it with something generic, although by the time you went and tried different items etc, the $27 for the pair would be cheaper. (IMO)

The "flat" spots you mention, are part of the fender support system. Rather than replace them with double stick foam tape, get some CLOSED CELL FOAM tape that is used to pad Pick-Up Tops to the beds. You can usually find this at either RV shops or Auto Shop places. Remember, it is CLOSED CELL. You may have to put two thicknesses together to provide the proper thickness so that it actually supports the fender.

While you're at it, get the 5/8" wide Closed Cell Foam tape as well. You'll want to use this on the Inner Fender Splash guard. That's the one that goes up and down directly behind the wheel. If you go to my gallery you will also note that I added a piece of tubing for the Cowl Drain tube to take the drain all the way to the bottom of that area to avoid future dirt / leaves / needles from collecting back there and forming a moisture trap.

As far as I know, the emblem holes for the 260, 280 were different than the Datsun emblem holes.

2¢

[Darylick]

your input is appreciated. Escanlon your 2 cents just bought you a beer should our paths cross. Couple questions: how far under the engine bay does that drain tube run, from the picture looks as though it's fairly long, I'd probably would just want to clear the fender. On the 77-78z's (mine is 77) the inner fender is more extensive than the early years, should I still use some close foam tape on the inside edge as you suggest?

[EScanlon]

The drain hose in the pictures, at that point in time, is very long. I wasn't sure how long I wanted to make it until I had the fenders put on.

Once the fenders went back on the car, I cut the hose such that the hole faces mostly down, but also back, AWAY from the wheel. This was to avoid having it act as a scoop into the air stream below the car. I suppose I could have cut it even with the bottom edge of the fender, but I didn't want it to start "whistling".

If you look inside the wheel wells now, you can just see it behind the inner splash panel, but it isn't visible from the side of the car.

If you haven't had a chance to read Wick Humble's book; "How to Restore your Datsun Z", see if either you can get a copy or borrow one. (If I recall right, both Victoria British and Motorsport sell it.) Although there are some items that I would like to discuss with him, for the most part it is one of the BEST books to have, right there next to the Factory Shop Manual. Between those two books, HTRDZ and FSM, you have just about everything covered. (Ok, I would also add the very early Clymer's Manual.)

Wick reference's using this closed cell foam tape everywhere you have contact between the fender and the inner splash guard as well as those "flat spots" you referenced. Granted all you need are small sections for those flat spots, but don't know that you can find someone to sell you just ONE FOOT of the stuff. I wouldn't use Dum Dum instead of that foam tape as the intent is to allow the fender to be removed and not have to be unglued.

The Dum Dum which Wick refers to is simple Strip Caulk.

2¢

[kmack]

I used the foam tape the EScanlon describes under my fenders. I got it at Home Depot where they have their door thresholds and weatherstripping. It comes on a roll in varying widths and doesn't cost more than about $6 for the roll. Most widely used use is for sealing between truck beds and campers.

[2ManyZs]

If you want the book, use the Bookstore in the Main Menu. It will link you to Amazon.com and it does help support the site......

You can find nearly all the books ever written on the Z in there..