fusion Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) How important are the hatch hinge seals? They aren't cheap. Without them, does water get up into the roof pocket? Trying to determine if I really need them or not. I have a 76 280z. Edited March 12, 2023 by fusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malus_rex Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Can confirm that without them water will collect inside the roof support and eventually rust through and drip into the rear. That roof support is not easy to repair either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbill Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 For instance: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted March 19, 2023 Share Posted March 19, 2023 @fusion Zcardepot has reasonably priced reproductions available. Not sure how they compare to NOS or the more expensive reproductions I’ve seen, but they seem the same thickness as my original ones, which were in decent shape (unfortunately I forgot to remove them during sandblasting and don’t trust my original anymore). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 20, 2023 Author Share Posted March 20, 2023 Thanks Sanchez. Do you still have the boot plates that go between the hinge and seal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 @fusion Yeah, I threw them in my DIY zinc plating and then hit them with a coat of etching primer to keep them protected until paint. They seem important to holding the seal tightly in place and mine had factory seam sealer between body and seals, and between the seal/plate mating surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 Have you installed them yet? If not, I would really love some measurements as I need to fabricate my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 Yeah I can get some dimensions this week. I remember that they are specific to the side of the car, but they are symmetrical so the dimensions of one can be flipped and transposed to the other side. I’ll post them here with pics when I have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 22, 2023 Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 Thank you, I would appreciate that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 17 hours ago, fusion said: Have you installed them yet? If not, I would really love some measurements as I need to fabricate my own. I might have an extra set from a roof part out. I’ll see if I can get them off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 22, 2023 Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 56 minutes ago, madkaw said: I might have an extra set from a roof part out. I’ll see if I can get them off Great, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 (edited) So I tried to get some measurements but they are a bit more complex than some holes cut in a 90deg bend of metal. For some reason pictures I upload don’t turn out with great resolution, so it’s hard to see the detail I’m referring to. There’s some little lips here and there, and the slotted holes are angled. I’d definitely try to catch somebody parting one out cause it’s likely they’ll have them. If you want to make them it’s probably better to base it off one you have in your hand already than any measurements I could take. Edited March 22, 2023 by Sanchez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted March 23, 2023 Author Share Posted March 23, 2023 Thanks man, I appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HusseinHolland Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Looks like I'll be doing mine also. I had water in the hatch area by the cubbies. I didn't realize my (new to me) 75 was missing all the outer hatch seals, and the main seal was basically shot, so it's most likely the large amount of water was actually from that. I found when I removed the hatch to do the seals that the hatch screws into the hinges were loose & so the hinge had rubbed a hole through the rubber on the pass. side. Small hole, but still. No rust inside, that's all glue overspray (from headliner? I dunno) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted April 28, 2023 Share Posted April 28, 2023 The ones that I got with Vintage rubber( aftermarket) fit like ass . I had to make cuts to allow the seal to sit correctly in the hole . So I will have to use some seam sealer to supplement the sealing of the seal . I’ll take a pic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetsaz Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 If you're gonna get aftermarket that fit poorly and require a bit of work, just get the ones from Z Car Depot. At least they're $37 ea and you're not out so much and they're probably from exactly the same place originally. I believe I got mine from JDM Car Parts. Paid $140+ and they fit well, but I can't tell if they were OEM at the time. I thought they were only available OEM when I purchased mine. https://jdm-car-parts.com/products/rear-hatch-hinge-seal-set-240z-260z-280z-69-75?variant=766736517 Still need the plates, they definitely seem more important than you'd think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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