Diffrence between doors?

[imustaveit]

Hi All
I have a collections of doors that I've aquired over the years from LHD and RHD Z.s. Before I select the best pair for prep, paint and fit to my RHD 73 240z, I need to be sure that I am using 240z and not 260z door shells (they are all door shells) I would hate to waste the time and expense restoring the door shells only to find my original door glass trim etc won't fit or that they won't align to my 240z body shell or hinges. Can anyone tell me how to identify that I have selected the correct 240z doors? (I assume it doesn't matter that they maybe LHD other than a missing mirror).
Thanks in advance for any help.
Paul

P.S I'm looking for a rust/filler free tail gate if anyone has one and possibly a scuttle panel?

[moggy240]

260z has an internal door lock mechanism to fit the pin on the pillar ,the 240z has an outer mechanism to slot into the door catcher so you should have a round hole in the 240z door see picture in the link
240z door mechanism | eBay

this one has a picture of a 260z/280z door
1977 Datsun 280Z driver side door shell only 2+2 | eBay

[Mr.F]

Early 260Z 2 seater (1973/1974) has same lock arrangement as 240Z, but window winder mechanism and attachment bolt pattern is slightly different and (I think), holes for door card clips will be in different arrangement.

[slaphead]

Originally Posted by Mr.F

Early 260Z 2 seater (1973/1974) has same lock arrangement as 240Z, but window winder mechanism and attachment bolt pattern is slightly different and (I think), holes for door card clips will be in different arrangement.

Mr F is quite correct as usual

- I will add that the bolt holes and fitments for the door latch are different along with cut out pattern - I am currently rebuilding both an early 260z and 240z door if you would like photos I can punt then up on this thread for you to compare.

late 260z 2 seater door



late 240z door (73)

[imustaveit]

Great response thanks all, thanks for the links moggy, don't think I have a 260 door unless it is an early one as per Mikes response. Thanks for the pics slaphead if you can post?

[ZPARTS]

I am unfamiliar about how the door changes evolved on European S30 models vs that of those in the US, but as a caution to what's been stated in this thread, let me note that in the US, 70-78 Z car models had a total of 5 unique door shell changes for the coupes alone.

Unknownst to some, in the USA there were 2 distinctly different shell designs for the 240Z models, one for the 70 thru 11/72 240Z models and a different design for the 73 240Z models with production dates of 12-72 thru 7-73.

What would be of concern to the original poster would be that the door regulators and possibly some other critical internal hdwe, would not be interchangable between the two different 240Z door shell designs, so if he sent one type to the body shop for repairs, but only had the hdwe from the other type, he'd not be able to install the hdwe to finish the car.

The next shell design, starting with the early (USA) 260Z coupe model, spanned 8-73 thru 6-75, the ending date being for US 280Z models, which, if I understand correctly, were not sold in Europe?

Continuing into the somewhat unique US 1976 280Z 280Z model there was another shell change . This shell is unique in many ways, Not all hdwe changed internally, but the frame, glass, glass channel and the regulator, of this shell will not interchange into any other S30 model door shell. This was the last year with the exterior rotating latching mechanism.

Just to be thorough, at the risk of being irrelevant to this forum, the last door shell change was for the US 77-78 280Z models. At this point Nissan introduced the internal latching mechanism, adding the latch post on the door jamb, which from some comments here, I getting the impression that possibly Nissan added this change to European 260Z models prior to US change. Can anyone fill in that blank for me.

In addition, from 70-78 S30 window glass frames changed 4 times, door hinges and regulator designs 3 times.


So you see, not knowing whats what amongst all those misc door parts laying about your garage could lead to some real frustration and anguish at time of reassembly.

Hope it all works out OK for you.

Eric Neyerlin

[Mr.F]

The situation in the UK is much simplified!

We had only less than a handful of the earliest 240Zs officially imported, so for most purposes one size fits all in the door and trim department. However, buyers of USA import panels need to beware.

The UK imported the coupe 260Z for the 1973-1974 model year and then dropped it in favour of the 2+2 for 1975 and 1976 so again, one set of internals fits all. The 2+2 received the lock / regulator / window change in 08/76, so I guess the coupe would have followed this pattern if they were being imported.

The coupe made a welcome return in 1977 and 1978 by which time all the changes were in place and consistent for that period.

Effectively we have three coupe door styles (and a handful of early 240Z versions) which are distinctly different.

[slaphead]

Originally Posted by imustaveit

Great response thanks all, thanks for the links moggy, don't think I have a 260 door unless it is an early one as per Mikes response. Thanks for the pics slaphead if you can post?

Pictures added in my original post chap let me know if you need any different views

[imustaveit]

Thanks Slaphead. I decided from the pic's that mine were 240z doors, however I was concerned by Eric's post regarding the diffrences in US 240z doors. Having checked them against my original doors I did find some minor diffrences such as the spacing between the screws that hold the side impact bar, but they did seem identical where it would matter.

US vers Euro Door picture by imustaveit - Photobucket

The only way to be sure was to strip everything off my original doors and fit it into my "US" doors. I did this at the weekend and I'm glad to say everything fitted, a massive relief
The doors will have to be stripped again for preping and painting, but at least I know I don't have a problem. Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

By the way Eric, my Z is the one featured on your Zparts site featuring the rotisserie, it's been awhile but now the kids are older, I'll be able to get back on it.