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need help identifying a broken tab

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Old Dec 29, 2025 | 03:54 PM
  #1  
prlynch01's Avatar
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need help identifying a broken tab

1970 442 automatic with AC. I need help identifying a broken tab that is screwed into the AC housing on my 442. I thought it could be a broken retainer clip for the AC wiring but I cannot find the other half. Any help would be appreciated.
Old Dec 29, 2025 | 05:05 PM
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Jungle Cat's Avatar
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I believe you are correct. You might be better off finding someone that has a doner piece. That thing probably hit the ground and is long gone
Old Dec 29, 2025 | 05:38 PM
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rcorrigan5's Avatar
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On my '69, the positioning of that tab is slightly different but it holds a wrapped wire harness (part of the tab wrapped into the harness) that goes to the relay mounted on the passenger fender.

Randy C.
'68 4-4-2 convertible
'69 4-4-2 convertible
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 07:39 AM
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Jungle Cat's Avatar
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This is friends 72 Hurst. I bet that plastic clamp is reproduced.
I’m
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IMG_3475.mov (506.2 KB, 27 views)
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 07:45 AM
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I have trouble posting photos here? Any tips?
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 08:39 AM
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torotoyguy's Avatar
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Originally Posted by rcorrigan5
On my '69, the positioning of that tab is slightly different but it holds a wrapped wire harness (part of the tab wrapped into the harness) that goes to the relay mounted on the passenger fender.

Randy C.
'68 4-4-2 convertible
'69 4-4-2 convertible
If wiring harness is the case, most likely the harness in the picture, down and behind the valve cover - other piece of tab still inside tape wrapping of harness, and 2 pieces can be probably re-joined with good glue/solvent. Good luck
Old Dec 30, 2025 | 11:51 AM
  #7  
SY2455's Avatar
70 442 W-30
 
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From: Swanton, Ohio
Originally Posted by prlynch01
1970 442 automatic with AC. I need help identifying a broken tab that is screwed into the AC housing on my 442. I thought it could be a broken retainer clip for the AC wiring but I cannot find the other half. Any help would be appreciated.
On my 70 442 W-30 with AC, that tab is in the same place. And like yours it's broken, like me you will find the other half tape up within your AC wiring harness that goes to the fan, relay and AC Compressor.

Last edited by SY2455; Dec 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM.
Old Jan 1, 2026 | 07:16 AM
  #8  
joe_padavano's Avatar
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As shown in the PIM, this tab is part of the A/C harness.



Old Jan 1, 2026 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Jungle Cat
I have trouble posting photos here? Any tips?
How are you doing it now ?
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 06:50 AM
  #10  
Jungle Cat's Avatar
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Test photo
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IMG_3475.mov (506.2 KB, 10 views)
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 06:51 AM
  #11  
Jungle Cat's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Jungle Cat
Test photo
not sure what is going on, I can’t open that. Might by issue with My iPhone 17?
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:12 AM
  #12  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Jungle Cat
Test photo
What you posted is NOT a photo.
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:17 AM
  #13  
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What you posted (#10) was captured as a .mov file. A .mov file is a video file - it is not an image file. I can easily view the .mov file; but, understand it is NOT an image file. A typical image file is captured/saved/rendered as a .jpg, .jpeg file, generally.


How To Post Pictures/Images
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:21 AM
  #14  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
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I downloaded your .mov (video) file & took a screenshot of the .mov (video) file & saved it as a .jpg file (below).



Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:51 AM
  #15  
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This "style" clip would work (below). Stick the business end into the screw hold. I haven't spent any time looking for an original OEM clip. They're often referred to as a wiring harness (loom) retainer clip. Lots of companies make retainer clips. If you're looking for original OEM retainer clip, I can't help as I don't know who makes an exact fit. If this is not a concourse restoration, you'll likely find an appropriate retainer clip. Check a NAPA store they might have the same one laying on a shelf. You'll likely find one at a salvage yard, as well.



Old Jan 2, 2026 | 08:07 AM
  #16  
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Those "style" retainer clips most often sell for ~0.59 cents.

With a wad of cash you can likely find the one pictured above for $4.50 at any Advance Auto Parts:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...656/16320036-P
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 09:27 AM
  #17  
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From: Midland, MI
Thanks everyone for the input regarding the broken tab. I did see the picture that Joe posted in my PIM. This car is very original. I suspected that it was a wiring harness retainer clip that would be taped into the harness. I did not find the other broken end in the wiring harness. The wires look original, not so sure about the electrical tape. Interestingly, I posted a picture in ChatGPT before posting here. The response from ChatGPT was that it was a broken grounding strap. This seemed so logical since it's screwed into the non-metallic AC housing. Once again proving that ChatGPT ain't no Joe! This car will be going in for restoration in spring. I'm trying to clean up a few issues before that restoration starts. As much as I prefer the W30 stripes (which it is not), the repaint will include going back to the correct stripes.
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 10:01 AM
  #18  
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The picture from Vintage Chief appears to show a clip that is external to the harness and would not be secured within the "tape" of the harness - having said that, an external clip doesn't exactly seem to make sense relative to the drawing of the firewall that was posted. If external, that certainly makes replacement of the clip a lot easier since you wouldn't need to open up the harness. Your guess is as good as mine.
Old Jan 2, 2026 | 12:09 PM
  #19  
VC455's Avatar
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Originally Posted by prlynch01
The wires look original, not so sure about the electrical tape.
The factory didn't wrap the harness with sticky tape, just black film. Maybe you were using the word tape generically.

On my original 1970 VC, that wire holder is still present and wrapped into the harness, as others stated.
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