Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

CarPartsManual shows screw and washer for the cowl grille:
... ...
Anyone know the screw size (Item #25) and what type of washer (Item 24)? The description says "WASHER-FINISHING", but I don't recall ever seeing a finishing washer there on any roadster.
... ...

Side Note: interesting to see that there were multiple part numbers for the cowl grilles. I thought they were all the same.

Thanks,

No idea on the OEM screw type, but I would just use sheet metal screws of similar size. The washers were plastic originally and didn’t last very long. As for the different grills, I know there are the ‘63-‘67.5 ones and the ‘68-‘70s … Third number, not sure - a ‘62 mixed-in maybe?

There were finishing washers between the cowl screw and the cowl.

I've been trying to find replacements for years but unsucessfully.

Actually washers were metal

Interesting. Ive had 15 roadsters over the last 35 years and never have seen one with cowl screw washers. perhaps im just not very observant and just didnt notice. The several times ive removed the grill for various reasons, the washers were not present.

So Mario has his roadster at my house , 66 I think, and he has the washers. So I KNOW they exist(ed) apart from the fact that they are in the manual.

Kinda like the disks that go between the handle and the vinyl on the windup windows on at least the '70 - frequently no longer found and the bracket that secures the original header to the engine.

This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.

Huh … My original one that I owned in the early ‘80s had 3 1/2 left attached. They were all white plastic and must have been original because I got the same plastic replacements from Nissan. Did they perhaps make more than one type?

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.

P1050064B.JPG

Excellent!

Now, what about the screws? I'm guessing they're sheet metal not machine, but what size and length?

Bwk2000 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:48 pm

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.

Huh … My original one that I owned in the early ‘80s had 3 1/2 left attached. They were all white plastic and must have been original because I got the same plastic replacements from Nissan. Did they perhaps make more than one type?

I guess these cup washers could have come from a different part of the car, I removed and bagged them 40 years ago. But they were bagged with six oval head sheet metal screws (correct amount for the cowl) which had a bit of over spray from the crap paint job my sister did in the mid 70's. That and 4 other pan head sheet metal screws of a smaller size that im pretty sure we're from the vin plate. Bottom line they came off the exterior of my Roadster in an area that is painted. Can't think where else they could have been used? I added a photo of the perfect flush fit in my since chromed cowl.

I know that some gentle readers will find this post rather offensive, so here is your chance to not read it.

Most of the sheet metal screws on my car (aluminum door panels, waist trim, door top trim, cowl grill, etc.) had been replaced with larger diameter sheet metal screws that wallowed out the holes to the point that using the correct sized screws wouldn’t work. Rather than stay with the larger head screws, I drilled out the holes, installed rivet nuts, then used machine screws to hold everything in place. I used stainless screws on everything shiny & black nitride coated screws on the black trim. Looks great.

Peace,
Pat

Habitat.pat wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 11:34 pm I know that some gentle readers will find this post rather offensive, so here is your chance to not read it.

Most of the sheet metal screws on my car (aluminum door panels, waist trim, door top trim, cowl grill, etc.) had been replaced with larger diameter sheet metal screws that wallowed out the holes to the point that using the correct sized screws wouldn’t work. Rather than stay with the larger head screws, I drilled out the holes, installed rivet nuts, then used machine screws to hold everything in place. I used stainless screws on everything shiny & black nitride coated screws on the black trim. Looks great.

Peace,
Pat

IMO, that's actually a great idea, but it also reinforces what I'm trying to avoid. My '66 parts car has been brutalized over the years, so I cannot trust test fittings to determine fastener sizes in many locations.

ppeters914 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 6:56 pm

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.
P1050064B.JPG

Excellent!

Now, what about the screws? I'm guessing they're sheet metal not machine, but what size and length?

Per my Jethro Bodine school of cyphering edjumencation. My cowl screws are #6 Oval head. The length are 1/2 inch. My understanding is with Oval head you measure from the top of the head to the tip to determine length. Pan and Round head you measure from under the head to the tip. I'd go with something a bit longer, it might help them bite. Dann from Rallye, on his site, he mentions that over the years the sheet metal could have opened up a bit and the correct screw size might not bite. He suggested applying a tiny bit of foil or electrical tape around the screw shaft to get it to tighten up. He also mentioned with going with slightly longer screws if using in an area with no interference by using a longer screw. The Cowl would fit that

As for the washer, these might work. I'm just not wanting to be guinea pig to find out, a least not yet. Or just keep it simple with a flexible nylon washer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134057912247?h ... Sw0xFiNNEY

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.
...

cowl grille washers.png

...

Can you tell if they're brass or plastic or.....????

The ones that I have had were metal.

ppeters914 wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 2:24 pm

DAC21 wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 4:17 pm This is what came off my 1967, looks like I'm two short.
...
cowl grille washers.png
...

Can you tell if they're brass or plastic or.....????

Definitely metal, non magnetic.

The ones on eBay that I linked above are about .02 inches wider at the rim per the OD listed. So they may / may not sit flush in the Cowl holes like my OEM.