boomer3 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I have a 76 280z, with no sort of inner fender protection for the headlight and wiring forward of the wheels. I imagine that water, dirt, and stones get thrown at high velocity toward the headlights and wiring and have always wondered if my 76 came stock with some better protection, IE plastic bolt on cover. After looking through various forums it appears that there were plastic liners from 1978 and up, (I believe #79 & 80 in one of the microfiches I saw). Do most guys run without these and let the elements splash up against the headlight bucket etc? Or am I just in the dark on this and should really be investing in this before I kill the wiring and the headlight gaskets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOZ UP Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 My 77 had them. The driver side fender was replaced at one point, but the liner was missing. It was hard to find one in good condition but someone on here got me a set. The new set's passenger side was beat up but I just needed the driver's side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I ran without them. Never had an issue with them not running. if I rememer my s30 correctly, the socket is within the headlight bucket, so it's really just the wires. If you're paranoid or go offroading then put like 3 looms over the wiring and silicone/hot glue the joints were it goes through to the headlight and fender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer3 Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Thanks for the input I ran without them. Never had an issue with them not running. if I rememer my s30 correctly, the socket is within the headlight bucket, so it's really just the wires. If you're paranoid or go offroading then put like 3 looms over the wiring and silicone/hot glue the joints were it goes through to the headlight and fender I think i'm with you on this, I'm not too worried about it and have just made sure the wires and joints are sealed. Was just curious if other people had the same take on it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socorob Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Does anyone know if the bolts that hold them on are all in the same place for every year: It would be nice if someone with fiberglass skills could repop them if they were all the same, Then it would be easy to mod slightly for flares, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ghtymaxXx Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Our cars did have them from the factory, however after 36+ years the plastic becomes very brittle and chances are all the attachment points have broken off. Most don't seem to have any issue running without them (I removed mine about a year ago after rolling the fenders, though simply removing them cracked them to the point of being unusable). With that said, there's certainly no harm in making a replacement, and if you do, be sure to post it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I need a vacuum former. All these plastic parts you can't find anymore would be so nice to be able to recreate. My 78 has them but some of the bolt holes to hold them on are cracked out. my 70 doesn't have them nor the mounting bolt holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer3 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Agreed, would be good to have a vacuum former to do this kind of thing. I have access to a co-op shop that has one, would be fun to try a few parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Gotta build a form out of foam/fiberglas then you form over it and ouila' ready made to cut out... You could mould from one with bags and expanding foam. I don't really know the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I was out visiting my 260z parts car and stumbled on this. Driver side head light protector thing-of-a-bobber. Pictures are of front and back of same piece. My 260z doesn't have mounting points so I have no need for it. If someone out there could use it to fab new pieces to benefit all I would be willing to give it up for just the cost of shipping. Thanks Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I believe the fender liners started in '74. Every '73 and previous I have looked at, in stock-ish form, including my own '73 did not have fender liners nor holes to mount them. I bought a '74 parts car that had them and they appeared to be stock, since there were a couple welded on brackets to hold the ends of them. They are different than the later fender liners in that they only sit inside the fender and do not clip to the fender wheel well lip. A friend of mine had the later ones on his '71 and replaced them with the ones from my '74 because of the lack of wheel well lip clips. IIRC the holes for mounting were in slightly different positions too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 My 260z is a 12/73 manufactured date, as my parts car has a 5 or 6/74 manufactured date and the support brackets are as you mention Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I know Rags 260z he just picked up had those inner fender rubber parts on, I will check the date of his car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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