Hello,

My '71 240Z is finally headed into the paint shop. I know that I'm going to need a windshield gasket and a rear hatch glass gasket, and I'm trying to find the most economic way of accomplishing this, while still doing it right (I have genuine Nissan door seals and welting ready to install after the car comes back, so door seals and fitment won't be an issue).

So I have two questions.....first, are the aftermarket front and rear glass gaskets that are available (inexpensively) through Black Dragon good quality replacements for the OEM gasket, or should I pony up the extra cash for the Nissan gaskets?

Second, what other gaskets will I need? Inner hatch gasket and outer hatch gaskets are a given. What's the best place to obtain these items? How is the fit? Tail light gaskets? Best vendor?

I'm sure a number of you have been down this road a time or two, and I'm really hoping to learn from your experiences.

Is there anything else that I should be doing or considering while I'm removing bumpers, etc? All of the emblems, rear hatch lock, radio antenna, side marker lights, etc etc are being pulled right now.....but any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Brian,

Going back with the OEM white? On the front & rear windows the stuff I got from MSA worked fine. I think the door gaskets are more of an issue. Our '78 280Z doors fit tight ie & require slamming....I would email Les@classicdatsun or call him. I think for my 240Z I'll go OEM on the doors next time. Keep us informed I want to find a good shop for my 240Z repaint one day.

Brian,

Going back with the OEM white? On the front & rear windows the stuff I got from MSA worked fine. I think the door gaskets are more of an issue. Our '78 280Z doors fit tight ie & require slamming....I would email Les@classicdatsun or call him. I think for my 240Z I'll go OEM on the doors next time. Keep us informed I want to find a good shop for my 240Z repaint one day.

Thanks, Mark, for the tip. I've been holding onto these OEM Nissan door gaskets for some time now (they're still available through the dealer, but you have to find one that will order them for you).

The shop that I'm using is the same place that welded in my floor pans a few weeks back. The shop is here in Asheville. The owner normally restores VW's, but he's extremely meticulous and the paint jobs that he's done (at least the ones that I've seen) look fantastic. If you want his contact info, PM me and I'll shoot it over to you.

And yeah, I'm going back to 904 White (which actually seems to be more of an ivory, but anyway).....

Brian,

Sounds good. PM me his contact info & if you don't mind give me a ball park paint price as well.

The VB/Black dragon taillight gaskets fit well and are very reasonably priced. The front door gaskets (the formed piece that fits above the upper hinge and is secured with 3 press-in buttons) also fits well, and seeing as it's a fairly complex-shaped piece, I'd trust most items from them.

I've had very good luck with Troy Thacker (www.datsunrestore.com) in getting any sort of weatherstripping or other odd Datsun parts. He sells both Nissan and Precision rubbers, and recommends the Nissan for doors, Precision for most anything else. Plus, he'll bend over backwards to get you what you need when you need it. He's on my "A" list.

FWIW

Frank