Braided ground strap

[1942cowdodge]

Well today I finally got around to changing out my ground cable on the Dodge to Braided cress ground strap. Well I wish I would have done this along time ago because the old Dodge start up every time now even when hot! I would state emphatically that everyone make sure that there ground cable is of high quality. The ground strap I bought at NAPA and probably was one of my best investments, cost all of 14 dollars but well worth the money spent.

[insaneradio]

I could not agree more. With 6 volt batteries the battery cables are of the utmost importance. The 12 volt variety simply will be inadequate. When you half the voltage you double the current. The 12 volt cables are far too small to work in our application.

Congrats on your fix!! I bet you have gone out and started it more than once!!

Dave

[David Strieb]

I think alot of electrical problems can be traced to ground connections. I run seperate ground wires on all my circuts, as well as having a good motor to frame and body to frame ground. May be an overkill but everything works.

[1942cowdodge]

Yep I sure did and this problem has been bugging me ever since I got the car running probably four or five years ago. Glad I posted a picture of my engine compartment as someone here notice my cables and stated they were inadequate for my car. Thanks a heap for all the info!!!!

[aero3113]

Can you post pics to show how you hooked it up? Does it go directly to the head from the battery?

[claybill]

I WOULD ASSUME THat there is NO difference between a braided strap and a OO cable..? correct..?

hey Tim, this is another dumb electricaal question..but .....!!

bill

[Captain Neon]

A 00 battery cable is still better than a 4 ga. strap.

[Captain Neon]

Yep I sure did and this problem has been bugging me ever since I got the car running probably four or five years ago. Glad I posted a picture of my engine compartment as someone here notice my cables and stated they were inadequate for my car. Thanks a heap for all the info!!!!

It is always good that see that there are still people that can take constructive criticism. A trait that seems to be severely lacking as of late in some purporting to be well-educated.

Some times one just doesn't know what they don't know, and it always good to get some unsolicited advice from those that have been there, no matter how painful the advice it is at the time. Too many parents of my generation chose to coddle their kids than give them some tough love. Unfortunately, my generation is only doing more of the same with their own kids.

[1942cowdodge]

The gage on the strap is #2 gage and it's probably what they came out with originally. Looks good also as most engines the ground cables are usually a cable and not like this strap! Edited June 12, 2010 by 1942cowdodge

[Robert Horne]

I ran a smaller strap like this from engine to body, so as to have a good ground for lights, etc............

[martybose]

I had custom 00 battery cables made; the ground cable went from the battery to the top starter bolt, and a pair of four gauge pigtails went to the frame and the body. Overkill undoubtedly, but it guaranteed good connectivity.

Marty

[Dodgeb4ya]

I had custom 00 battery cables made; the ground cable went from the battery to the top starter bolt, and a pair of four gauge pigtails went to the frame and the body. Overkill undoubtedly, but it guaranteed good connectivity.

Marty

BIG copper cables are always the best! A good test for battery cable issues is to pull the coil lead and crank the engine over for 20-30 seconds, then feel the battery cables for getting hot-mainly at the terminations. If a hot spot is felt you have a voltage drop-thats bad! Clean the connections and or spend money on BIG battery copper cables. Properly sized cables won't heat up.

Bob

Edited June 12, 2010 by Dodgeb4ya

[Don Coatney]

I question the battery to ground connection?

Where is the best place to make the connection as (I have some thoughts) but I do not know?

Seems to me the radiator gooseneck may not be the best location as the electricity must flow through the threads of the single gooseneck bolt isolated by the gooseneck gasket, to the engine head which is isolated by the head gasket, then through the threads of the many engine head bolts to finally seek and find a good ground connection. On my engine I run the ground cable from the battery to a threaded bolt near my generator (in my case an alternator) bracket as pictured. I have also seen battery ground connections made through a single head bolt with a drilled and tapped bolt to complete the connection. What is best?

[1942cowdodge]

Thanks Don I think I will move that strap to your location.

[T120]

My ground connection is underneath the generator to the block as well

[LAKOTA169]

Where would be a good spot at the rear of the engine to mount the ground? I have a P23 engine in my '37 with the battery in the stock location, under the drivers seat/floor.

[TodFitch]

Where would be a good spot at the rear of the engine to mount the ground? I have a P23 engine in my '37 with the battery in the stock location, under the drivers seat/floor.

On my 1933 the ground cable goes between the battery and a cover bolt on the transmission. Looks like the lubrication chart for in the 1936-42 factory service manual that says "Lubrication Chart (1938 Model, Typical of 1936-37 Models)" shows the same thing: The battery cable goes to the rear top left cover bolt on the transmission.

[Young Ed]

Same in my pickup with the under floor battery.

[boxer_inv]

My ground connection is underneath the generator to the block as well

'Ditto' mine runs to the generator bracket bolt.

[LAKOTA169]

Tod and Ed, thanks. Will give it a "look see" and move it if necessary.