chassis - engine grounding

[vjjack04]

Folks,
This is another question that should have a simple answer, but I am not exactly clear on this - I have my engine back in, am putting in the battery, and now need to ensure I have the grounds back in correctly. Where is the engine usually grounded for a V-8 in a 55-57 3100? To the block and cab, to the block and frame, or both....?

[jmsaunders]

I've been accused of over building things. But for me I ran a ground cable from the battery to the frame and the cab. I then ran a ground cable from both the cab and frame to the engine block. Never had any problems with the truck starting.

[OrrieG]

Originally battery grounded to the cab and engine grounded to the same bolt. Make sure you ground your cab and bed to the frame too. Grounds need good bare metal, the bolt or screw thread to sheet metal or frame is not good enough. If you are worried about rust after installing cover with some dielectric coating or sealant. you also need to make sure that stuffl like light switches, etc. that use the case for a ground to the sheet metal have a bare spot to ground to. Seems like the majority of electical problems can be traced to bad grounds or unintentional grounds (shorts).

[jmsaunders]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

.....Grounds need good bare metal, the bolt or screw thread to sheet metal or frame is not good enough. .... you also need to make sure that stuffl like light switches, etc. that use the case for a ground to the sheet metal have a bare spot to ground to. Seems like the majority of electical problems can be traced to bad grounds or unintentional grounds (shorts).

Where were you last year when I was learning that lesson the HARD way

[OrrieG]

Been here since 07, but have been fighting bad grounds for 45 years. I still have one taillight in my Chevelle I cannot get to work right, its has been a multi year experience! I suspect a partial short in the flat wire harness that will get replaced if I every get the truck done.

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Originally battery grounded to the cab and engine grounded to the same bolt. Make sure you ground your cab and bed to the frame too. Grounds need good bare metal, the bolt or screw thread to sheet metal or frame is not good enough. If you are worried about rust after installing cover with some dielectric coating or sealant. you also need to make sure that stuffl like light switches, etc. that use the case for a ground to the sheet metal have a bare spot to ground to. Seems like the majority of electical problems can be traced to bad grounds or unintentional grounds (shorts).

Is that ground you are refering to (original battery ground area) on the lower passenger side of the firewall, trans tunnel area?

[OrrieG]

There is a bolt welded into the fire wall behind the battery box (when the battery is installed it hides it) just below the upper lip. The stock ground cable is a braided #4 type. I run the engine block ground from a bolt on the back of the passengerside of the block to the battery ground. I also ground the front clip (for light and horn grounds) cab and bed (for taillight grounds) to the frame with braided type straps.

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

There is a bolt welded into the fire wall behind the battery box (when the battery is installed it hides it) just below the upper lip. The stock ground cable is a braided #4 type. I run the engine block ground from a bolt on the back of the passengerside of the block to the battery ground. I also ground the front clip (for light and horn grounds) cab and bed (for taillight grounds) to the frame with braided type straps.

ok. Thanks. I appreciate your help.

[solidaxel]

I like to run the primary ground from the battery Neg. to the closest bolt to the starter and then to the frame , cab and then the bed. I also like to use the braded straps for the rest of the grounds , cab, bed, chassis.
I am sure it will work either way, just make good connections !