Grounding Straps

[cgbexec]

I am thinking of grounding my engine to the frame with a grounding strap as well as grounding the body to the engine. I believe this to be the correct thing to do, but I just want to hear from you guys before I do this.

Thanks,

Chris B.

 

[70_Steve]

Yes, absolutely!! A good grounding scheme will have the negative battery cable bolted to the engine block. Then ground both the body and frame to the engine block.

The starter is generally the biggest current draw on the vehicle. The starter is grounded internally to the block. So it makes sense to have the negative battery cable bolt directly to the block, to provide the least resistance back to the battery. The other grounds fan out from there. Obviously, the body needs to be grounded for things like the lights, radio, etc to work. Most often, I see that ground strap from the rear of the intake manifold to the firewall. The frame also needs to be grounded. The stock fuel level sending unit is grounded to the frame. I installed a short strap from the same point on the block where the negative battery cable is mounted, over to the passenger-side frame.

 

[cgbexec]

I have one head bolt on each side of the engine that has a stud on the top. I was thinking of using the drivers side to ground to the frame and the passanger side to attach the negative battery cable and also to ground the body. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

When I dissasembled the truck, there were no seperate grounds running from the engine to the frame or the body that I remember. I am guessing that the factory was relying on the body mounts and bolts to make the contact. Now that I have powder coated everything, I definately want to make sure I have good grounds.

Chris B.

 

[sprdv1]

I am thinking of grounding my engine to the frame with a grounding strap as well as grounding the body to the engine. I believe this to be the correct thing to do, but I just want to hear from you guys before I do this.

Thanks,

Chris B.

Good, Good, Goood One..! I been meaning to do this. Thanks Chris ;D

 

[904Bronco]

I have one head bolt on each side of the engine that has a stud on the top. I was thinking of using the drivers side to ground to the frame and the passanger side to attach the negative battery cable and also to ground the body. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

When I dissasembled the truck, there were no seperate grounds running from the engine to the frame or the body that I remember. I am guessing that the factory was relying on the body mounts and bolts to make the contact. Now that I have powder coated everything, I definately want to make sure I have good grounds.

Chris B.

I agree, something that needs to be done. The headbolts with the stud might be a little warm. I used 2 gauge cable from a bolt hole on the block to the frame and ran a 10 gauge wire from the neg battery terminal to the firewall.

Doug

 

[70_Steve]

I have one head bolt on each side of the engine that has a stud on the top. I was thinking of using the drivers side to ground to the frame and the passanger side to attach the negative battery cable and also to ground the body. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

If it's convenient, I suppose so. I found a threaded hole on the passengers side of the block, behind the stock alternator location. I mounted both the negative battery cable and the frame grounding strap there. Looking down from the top, they are barely visible and are out of the way.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The body and engine really need good grounds for things to work right. However I find grounding the frame to be rather pointless. What eletrical load is there on the frame? The drivetrain and body all sit on rubber mounts. Other then a token ground for giggles, there is little point in it unless you are grounding a winch to the frame.

Sorry, but using 2 gauge wire to ground the frame is a waste of 2 gauge wire. Mabe a couple of scraps of 14 gauge would be all that I would ever consider using.

 

[70_Steve]

However I find grounding the frame to be rather pointless. What eletrical load is there on the frame? The drivetrain and body all sit on rubber mounts. Other then a token ground for giggles, there is little point in it unless you are grounding a winch to the frame.

The stock fuel level sending unit grounds to the frame. I've also found it convenient to ground other things to the frame, like my electric fuel pump. Nobody said the frame ground had to be 2 gauge. And, from my research, most winch manufacturers recommend grounding the winch directly to the battery.

 

[garberz]

You just cant have too many grounds.

 

[sprinksbeme]

The body and engine really need good grounds for things to work right. However I find grounding the frame to be rather pointless. What eletrical load is there on the frame? The drivetrain and body all sit on rubber mounts. Other then a token ground for giggles, there is little point in it unless you are grounding a winch to the frame.

The Fuel sending unit on mine is grounded to the frame, so may help there, but that's the only thing I've found to the frame. But if you're putting lights on bumpers or rock lights on the frame it could help there.

 

[904Bronco]

Sorry, but using 2 gauge wire to ground the frame is a waste of 2 gauge wire. Mabe a couple of scraps of 14 gauge would be all that I would ever consider using.

Ouch...
Well thats why we are all here right, to hear opinions and then make up our own mines. No offense taken BB...

Doug

 

[Pa PITT]

I too am one of those old farts that beleives in plenty of grounds on older trucks ...I have bought but not installed yet the mass buy starter and alt from Ray not too long back ...But before I put them on I just had to test my therory about grounds ...My Bronco had not started well since it has been running ...Just not enough battery ...So I put on my grounds like I like .....a 4ga cable from one of the starter bolts to the frame ..4 ga from battery to either the frame or the same ground as the 1st ...and in this case was a 10 ga home made wire from the alt mounting bolt down to the frame and another 10 ga to the headlamp ground location ..from the alt mounting ...It had never started better now 2 or 3 months later I have headlamps but no tail lamps ....Guess I need to read my own press.......I learned this ground thing on my old 1980 Bronco ...

 

[BwoncoHowie]

I have a ground stud on the body where I connect the battery, engine, and the frame, to that point. My aux tank sender didnt start working until i completed this ground. Also helps if you pull a trailer on occaision, having the frame well grounded makes the trailer lights work good.

 

[fordtrucks4ever]

If anyone plans on doing an efi conversion, there is no such thing as too many ground straps to ensure a good connection.

 

[SeaBiscuit68]

Doesn't the license plate light also ground to the frame? Going off memory, I'm pretty sure my '68 did.

 

[cgbexec]

I bought braided grounding straps from Summit Racing. I am planning on installing a trailer hitch and wiring, and that does require a frame ground. Because I powder coated the frame, the body mounts are not going to be a source of good ground. I also used new motor mounts with Urethane bushings (I think they are urethane) and I don't think they are going to make a good ground either. I figure grounding the frame and body just makes good sense so I don't end up with flickering lights and intermittent fuel tank sender. I may also add back up lights that would need to ground to the frame.

Thanks for all of the input.

Chris B.