Definitely not a cloth or paper wrapping, it’s a vinyl non-stick harness wrap not unlike the black wrap Chrysler used in that time period on everything, just beige or light brown in color. My first thought is it has something to do with this car originally being a California spec car. There are wiring differences in the engine and transmission harness to support the ’72 California only NOX control system (firewall mounted NOX control unit, speed switch on the transmission, and vacuum advance cut-off solenoid). The extra California only wiring disconnects at the alternator are present as well. Strangely however the other harnesses in the engine compartment, not relating to emissions equipment (forward lighting and A/C), are also wrapped in beige harness wrap. Under dash harness is black as expected.
Another difference I’ve noticed with the original wiring in this original engine compartment is that the composition of almost all the wires and wire insolation is different from standard Chrysler wiring by my experience, finer strands, thicker more pliable insolation, even after all these years. An attempt at more heat resistance maybe?
Recalling now, one of my more recent parts cars, Feb ’72 built Satellite Sebring (400 2bbl) was also a California spec A/C car, pretty sure it had black harness wrap under the hood. More questions than answers now.
Found an E-bay auction that’s been around for while from Brad’s NOS.
An NOS brown wrapped engine harness, in his description he can’t identify the application. Says it’s from a ’72 big block, the part number would seem support that until you try to locate it in the manual, the specific number is not there. But, notice it has a “Brake test” connector near the bulkhead connector. From the discussion in this thread, that would suggest ’73 and up. The ’72 California only alternator wiring disconnects is not present in that harness.
