My car is coming along great, an absolute joy to drive. Driving it has revealed a few weatherproofing issues though, mainly with the rear hatch and the chrome window sills on the doors (torn rubber). T-tops are fine (thank god!)

I plan on finding a hatch seal in a junk yard, but those window sills are too expensive for my budget(like $80 each!) and not even available in the right color! Part# 80820 on Courtesy Parts.

I found this kit and was wondering if anyone has had any luck with it:
Precision Parts OE Replacement Glass Weatherstrip Seal - JCWhitney

Thanks

 

The hatch rubber from 280zx's and 300zx's can be interchanged, I pulled the seal off my 300zx and used it on my 280zx.

 

Finally figured out what you mean by 'chrome window sills on the doors.' I doubt that the aftermarket rubber will fit right unless they list those pieces specifically for your Z. Hard to tell from the link. One-size-fits-all is rare for your Z. Bulbs and batteries, mostly.

It's an unusual rubber profile and for your own to be torn or split. I would check around for a recycler nearby with a compatible Z model on the yard. Problem is the labor to get the gaskets and trim off. Price would vary by yard - but you get OEM that way.

You have to stop the leaks or you get mold and rust and worse. Maybe just check the aftermarket profiles and if they are right, bite the bullet. Those are pretty cheap if they will fit right.

 

I have a Z31 I am parting, all the door seals and rubber are like new, some stuff I will be using on my 86, post some pics of the part, courtesy didn't have one.

 

Found the diagram and I'm not sure if Ill need mine or not, ill check it out tomorrow and post some pics, and Ill give you a good deal for the pair.

 

Thank you for looking into it for me.

During my trip to the salvage yard today, I found a turbo with good weatherstripping all around(someone took the t-tops though, the red interior had plants growing in it lol). I picked up the chrome window sills and a new trunk weatherstrip, so I'm all set in that regard.

I have to drive back to school today and overcome my fear of the hood flying open again! I swear it was latched when I left on Friday.

 

The manual actually covers oiling and maintaining the hatch release in the periodic maintenance, just use some wd40 to loosen all the old grime up, that way you wont have a replay with much worse results.