Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

Sharkdance · Post by **Sharkdance** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:34 am

Greetings all,

I was studying before and after photos of my cab swap and noticed/remembered that there is a small square metal tab on the outside passenger side of the firewall. Just at the top of the cowl panel.
Both the donor truck and my 70 had it. It looks like some kind of spacer that sticks up between the hood and the cowl when the hood is closed.

My question is this:
What is its purpose?
Does it have to be there?
If its a spacer, why is there only one on the passenger side?

I know the attached photo sucks, but its the best pic I had of what Im trying to describe.

Thanks for any help.

Mohillbilly · Post by **Mohillbilly** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:16 am

That's the ground tab for the hood.

Post by **FORDification** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:02 am

rjewkes · Post by **rjewkes** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:06 pm

what if it is broken or missing? What does it affdect? just the light or the whole elctrical system?

68F250 · Post by **68F250** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:10 pm

What light ya talking about Robert?

The hood ground is so you don't get static on your radio. Hinges and latch make a poor ground in the RF range.

rjewkes · Post by **rjewkes** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:14 pm

i was talking of the under hood lamp[ but now i know where some if not all of my radio noise came from.

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:04 am

Hmm...maybe I should put mine back on. I thought it was left over from something someone ripped out. It looked like it was a wire loom that was bent out straight. All the tubing for the washerfluid was gone so I assumed it was a remnant of that. Good question sharkdance, I forgot all about mine. I took it off and never thought about it again.

Mohillbilly · Post by **Mohillbilly** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:32 am

Yes, it doesn't effect the light, because it isn't touching the hood in the up position, but it will certainly build a static charge from wind friction while driving. I have seen many radio interference problems caused by a missing or broken ground, and actually saw one that built up enough to cause a small shock when touching the hood.

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:00 am

Dumb question, The hood isn't insulated from the hinges, is it? When mine was off I didn't see any rubber or any other insulator. I guess my question is; shouldn't the hood be grounded through the hinges? Why is the little ground piece needed to ground the hood?

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:45 am

If the tab is missing, you can run a piece wire between the hood and the body to ground the hood.

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:59 am

Shouldn't be grounded already? I understand that it is needed, I just want to understand why.

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:23 am

Your hinges and hood release have some play and grease in them. The hood isn't always going to make real good metal to metal contact.

71 LONG BED · Post by **71 LONG BED** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:05 pm

Gotchya, thanks. Makes sense now that you mention it.

Sharkdance · Post by **Sharkdance** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:24 pm

Mohillbilly,FORDification,flyboy2610,
Dead on and quick answers. Thats why I love this place! (and my truck)
I was wondering what the heck that tab was for when I was taking it off the truck. Now I know. Thanks.

71 LONG BED,
Thanks. Glad to help.
Actualy Im just glad to be able to give something back to the group. I came here so green and have learned a lot from you guys & gals. I owe this forum a lot.

rjewkes · Post by **rjewkes** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:04 am

hey you sometimes ask about parts i didn't know where missing from mine when i had it.

So

to you dude. And way nice looking truck, When i buy my next one wanna fly to Joplin, Mo and help me with it?

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Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

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re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?

re: Metal tab on cowl - What is it?