What is this on the firewall?

[92470]

[92470]

I screwed up and posted this on accident without putting in my real question first. I actually want to know what the metal serrated tab is that is bolted to my firewall on the left of my fuel pump relay. I've seen the same metal tab on other trucks, but nothing is attached to it and I can't find reference to it in any manual. It looks stock, so I'm assuming the factory put it there. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[Slofarmtruck]

Looks like a grounding point of some sort.

[flamingbig10]

looks like a relay what year is the truck

[Slofarmtruck]

Wow 3 posts at 10:16!! I had posted the same answer and edited it after I read his updated question.

[92470]

The truck is a 87'. If you see my post below my original after I hit enter on my original one by accident, you will see what the real question is. Thanks

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by 92470

The truck is a 87'. If you see my post below my original after I hit enter on my original one by accident, you will see what the real question is. Thanks

your second post didn't show up until I posted

[92470]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

your second post didn't show up until I posted

Yeah, we all fired back within a minute of each other! You guys are faster typers than I am!

[Pyrotechnic]

I had one on my truck in a different spot. That thing was sharp so I just took it off.

[Driveway Dreams]

Could it have been for a second relay to clip on to? Where is Keith when we need him?

[Stepsideride]

its actually a wire loom securing bracket there used to be a plastic ring clamp that would clamp around the loom and then it had a slot that the metal tab slid into the serated edge acted as a grip to hold it like a piece of wood grips a nail.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Could it have been for a second relay to clip on to? Where is Keith when we need him?

Geez. Don't you guys sleep?!?

Originally Posted by Stepsideride

its actually a wire loom securing bracket there used to be a plastic ring clamp that would clamp around the loom and then it had a slot that the metal tab slid into the serated edge acted as a grip to hold it like a piece of wood grips a nail.

My first thought was "grounding strap" but I like Stepside's answer better. I'll look and see if mine has that when I go back outside.

K

[James McClure]

OH, OH, OH, Mr. Cotter I know what it is. That serated tab is supposed to ground the hood to help RFI interference from the ign reaching the radio antenna in the windshield. I took mine off because it scraped the paint on the underside of the hood support framing. Jim

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by James McClure

OH, OH, OH, Mr. Cotter I know what it is. That serated tab is supposed to ground the hood to help RFI interference from the ign reaching the radio antenna in the windshield. I took mine off because it scraped the paint on the underside of the hood support framing. Jim

Yep - that's what I meant by "grounding strap".

K

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Originally Posted by James McClure

OH, OH, OH, Mr. Cotter I know what it is. That serated tab is supposed to ground the hood to help RFI interference from the ign reaching the radio antenna in the windshield. I took mine off because it scraped the paint on the underside of the hood support framing. Jim

We have a winner

[Keith Seymore]

Just a followup - my '87 does not have that on the firewall.

K

[92470]

Thanks for all the replies. I would assume that when the hood is closed the metal tab touches the hood, thus grounding it? And it would be serrated to better connect to the hood? Maybe I'm missing something but I would have thought a true strap with enough slack to open the hood that was bolted to the firewall and connected to the hood would have provided a better ground. I know it's a trivial thing, just interesting some trucks have it and others don't in the same year and it's such a strange design for function.

[westofb]

Originally Posted by 92470

Thanks for all the replies. I would assume that when the hood is closed the metal tab touches the hood, thus grounding it? And it would be serrated to better connect to the hood? Maybe I'm missing something but I would have thought a true strap with enough slack to open the hood that was bolted to the firewall and connected to the hood would have provided a better ground. I know it's a trivial thing, just interesting some trucks have it and others don't in the same year and it's such a strange design for function.

I would think the hinges and hood latch themselves would work to ground the hood! hmmm, hood mounted mercury switched engine bay lights are grounded to the firewall...there maybe holes in my theory!

[loverofchevystrucks]

if you are talking about the tab next to the relay its where you attach another relay

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by loverofchevystrucks

if you are talking about the tab next to the relay its where you attach another relay

No - he's talking about the thing shown in the upper left (with the teeth on it).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 92470

Thanks for all the replies. I would assume that when the hood is closed the metal tab touches the hood, thus grounding it? And it would be serrated to better connect to the hood? Maybe I'm missing something but I would have thought a true strap with enough slack to open the hood that was bolted to the firewall and connected to the hood would have provided a better ground. I know it's a trivial thing, just interesting some trucks have it and others don't in the same year and it's such a strange design for function.

Yes on both counts.

I have seen vehicles with an actual braided strap (my Chevelle was done that way) - which is probably more effective - but this serrated tab is probably cheaper from a piece cost and labor standpoint.

K