NLA rubber parts

[Seppi72]

I own two S30s and am an original owner of one of them, for which I have been in the process of doing a restomod for several years.  I am also a retired R&D chemist with a background in plastics and rubber chemistry and processing.

I have been frustrated several times regarding the various small rubber bits that go into my S30 as, I'm sure, are many other owners of old Datsuns.  Many rubber parts are simply "no longer available," at least through the Nissan parts system.  With the closure of Black Dragon a few years ago, the situation got worse.  And, some of these NLA parts, especially those approaching 50 years in service, are simply "tuckered out" due to the heat cycles and oxidation they have seen over the years.

I have tried casting my own urethane parts with limited success but without the expensive injection molding machinery and matched metal molds used by OEMs, my results have been mostly unsatisfactory.  This is especially true of parts that have significant 3-D shapes.

However, over the past several years, a new process has arisen to aid folks in this situation.  It is commonly called "3-D printing" but is more properly termed "additive manufacturing."  It is now widely used in many industrial R&D settings and produces parts by "printing" an object layer upon layer from a computer file.  Really high-powered operations -- like Formula 1 constructors -- can produce both plastic and metal parts.

• My first question is whether any of you know of vendors who make NLA rubber parts for our cars?  I would certainly like to get in touch with these folks.
• My second question is if there are no such vendors, would having one make your lives a bit easier?

I ask that second question because now that I am fully retired, I have been toying with the idea of acquiring a good 3-D printer to make the parts that I need and, at the same time, help out my fellow S30 (and, eventually, other old car) owners.

I would not be not looking to compete with anyone who is currently supplying NLA rubber parts.  In fact, if there is such a vendor, I'd welcome the opportunity to become one of its suppliers so it can expand its business and take care of the marketing and sales end of things.  While I've had my own business in the past, I prefer to simply be a technical resource at this stage of my life.

Please let me know what you folks think of this possibility for supporting our hobby and passion.

[Frankenstein]

240zrubberparts.com

[AK260]

Nice find, but those prices!!!! :o

[Patcon]

3 hours ago, AK260 said:

Nice find, but those prices!!!! 😮

All hand made! Time is money...