You guys ever see these on a 70 442 with a W25 hood? I don't even see them in the 70 manual at all.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160462564649...84.m1423.l2649

 

I've seen them on a few cars of mine through the years. Usually they rust away or get removed for what ever reason. The ad is correct about using 3 per car though. I can get pictures for you of originals on a car if you'd like.

 

I don't get why you'd need them for grounding the hood. The factory hoods were metal with fibreglass top. They were attached to the metal fenders with metal hood springs just like all the other car hoods were. What makes the OAI hood that much different that it needed a static suppression? I'm not saying they don't exist but I can't find any reference to them in the 70 Assembly manual anywhere.

 

All of the cars I've seen them on had regular flat steel hoods, not the OAI hoods. Not saying OAI cars didn't have them, I just haven't owned an original OAI car to be able to tell you if they were on those also. But, like you said, metal hood/frame, hinges, & fenders bolted to the body/core support should be plenty of ground??

 

i didn't think the W-25 had anything to do with them? i have found them on 70 parts cars without W-25. i think Oldsmobile thought the same thing because they got rid of them in 71. i think i seen them in the 70 assembly manual. i will have to look again.

 

I have heard of them, and have seen these for sale. Neither of my W25 hoods have them so who knows, though again neither of my hoods have the center adjustable bumper in front of the hood latch either. I have never noticed those straps on any other car either. I've posted here before about them and don't think I got a definitive answer

I have not seen them in any of the manuals either. One thing I do notice is that many places that sell the repo stuff list items for more cars than they really were for - put W30 in front of it and it must be important

I had an old-timer told me these straps helped with radio interference

 

Like I said I couldn't find them in the 70 manual. I don't know if they were on both style hoods or not. I have added an original fiberglass hood and was wondering if I should get them just to be like original.
Scott, a picture of originals would be cool to see.

 

these are pictures i already had on my computer. i am not sure if you will be able to see them after the pictures get resized. this was a convertible with no OAI hood. My Rallye 350 and another 70 W-30 we had came with them also.

100_9133.jpg?t=1330821456

100_9131.jpg?t=1330821491

 

Hmmm, nice pics Eric. I just went and looked at my 72. No ground straps and I know for a fact its original - still has the original cowl lacing. No ground straps. Anyone know what page that pic in the ebay ad came from. The ground straps are listed as 68-72; maybe I'm looking in the wrong page of the Assembly Manuals?

Ok Eric, disregard that thing about my 72. I just re-read your post that Olds discontinued them in 71 :eek!

 

You say you had them on 2 cars with the Oai hood too. Good to know. They look like they are attached under the seal, picking up 3 of the seal screws and are folded over from the back to front. Thanks

 

Allen, I looked thru the whole 70 assy manual and can't find it. Not that it's not in there. I find that's what's happened since I'm over 50. Bob

 

i thought for sure i seen them there but i just got done looking and couldn't find them.

 

Ok!!
I found it!!!

The info is in the 1970 CSM and is listed on page 15-11 (Accessories section). The picture that is shown on the ebay ad is Diagram 15-22 Static Eliminator and Suppressors. Apparently these clips were installed on all models, not just the A bodies.
Here's the link from Wild About Cars. Scroll to page 11/16 http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/membe...ection_15A.pdf

Bob - I hear ya. Only 50? You got a ways to go my friend. Wait till you have bi-focals and double vision like I do!

 

Great, thanks Allan, now I got to go out and see what other Suppression parts my car is missing like the condenser on the blower motor, whats the item on the wheel hub

 

Anytime. It was driving me nuts all day. I'm hoping you haven't 'suppressed' the urge to take her for a drive..... Who needs a radio when you can sing your own tune?

 

Wow, that's great. Thanks Allen. I have to check and see what else I am missing.

I'm trying to get used to my new bifocals. It sucks. Not looking forward to double vision. Thanks again.

 

You can get the wheel dust cap suppressors repro. They do nothing, that's why GM stopped using them. They are supposed to be on my 69 w AM FM....I don't get any static at all.

 

Yeah, I found a set of those in my 72 dust caps. One was mint and the other was trashed. When it came to re-assembly I decided to leave them out. They look like this 6 pointed star with the coil. As you can see, one is good, the other was totally spun off. I wouldn't order them to put on the car. You will never see them, and like you pointed out they don't do anything practical.

 

I've seen them on various cars and always wondered.
Probably did away because FM has come a long way since the mid-60's!
But so has everything else! [especially the price of fuel!!]

 

Well, there were things that worked for static + things that didn't! Those dust cap deals do nothing. Same with the point shields. I wouldn't worry about something that does nothing and you can't see it either. Something like the blower fan condenser does work if you are getting a whine type noise. I upgraded to a factory FM a long time ago, no condenser on the blower...no whine either. The cowl clips I've never ever seen on a Cutlass. I've seen them on Chevelles, I've seen them on GTO's...never a 442 or Cutlass. If I didn't see the actual pic above, I wouldn't believe it!

 

As said they are a noise suppressor for the radio. I have a NOS set if anyone is interested.

 

yep, I'm right with you on items you can't even see - especially if it doesn't do any good.

 

Static RF noise:

Static suppression is important if you plan on using your AM-Broadcast radio, CB-Radio or any 2-way radio equipment in your car. If you are missing a non-critical static strap and you only use FM-Broadcast receivers, then there is no real issue. CB Radios are very susceptible for Ignition noise and Alternator whine.

The Static straps on the hood are there because the hood hinges do not provide a reliable ground while driving. The vibration of the hood or other large pieces of metal will cause small amount of RF noise. Even new cars today you will usually find a ground strap on the hood and or trunk. Static suppression is more important on new computer cars than our older classics.

Condensers / Capacitors:
These items are very important. If a capacitor shorts or pops, you should replace it and not just remove the device. Each condenser /capacitor has a specific published value (Cutlass Voltage Regulator 0.5 mfd, Ignition coil 0.3 mfd) and voltage (40+ VDC). Make sure you replace the condenser with the correct values.

Bearing RF Noise:
This problem is very rare. However I did have a friend who recently had this problem on his non-Oldsmobile. He could not use his Amateur Radio HF system while driving at highway speeds. The RF noise created by the bearings blocked all signals. By coincidence, he replaced his bearings and the RF noise went away.
PS, thanks to Alan-R for the pictures of the bearing coils, I will check my car to see if they still exist.

Types of RF noise in cars:
Popping sounds are usually related to Ignition system. As the engine goes faster, the popping goes in sync with your RPM. Check for coil condenser, Points condenser, Static shield and good plug wires, etc.
The "whining" sound or "dentist-drill" sound is usually your alternator and will also follow you RPM.
Blower fan noises can be isolated by listening to the AM radio and adjusting the fan speed ****.

 

Really? That threw me for a loop so I just went and checked both of our newer cars (which have computer controls). Neither of them have a ground strap from the hood to chassis, or trunk to chassis. And neither does my antiquated old 72 Cutlass. All 3 get great FM stereo reception and very adequate AM. (I say adequate AM because we don't listen to AM much because it's not as vibrant)The type of antenna also doesn't appear to have any impact because 2 have windshield, 1 has a fixed mast.

FWIW, I fail to see how the hood hinges don't provide adequate grounding. The fitment is tight enough all the way through that there shouldn't be a whole lot of hood shaking going on. That's also why cars have rubber hood bumpers at the front and side of the fenders - to ensure the hood stays quiet during driving.

With all respects, I don't buy this hood strap argument. Neither apparently does GM because they stopped using it with the 70 model year.

 

Does anybody have a picture of where these three tabs go? I can't seem to find any for my 7442 with ram air Hood... Thank you

 

If I remember right, the tabs go on the cowl screen screws evenly spaced. This is one of those Inline things where they say 68-72 or whatever. I've never seen them on a 68-69. I did see some on a 70 at MCACN last Fall.

 

Thanks !