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Is this grounding strap normal?

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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 11:08 AM
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Default Is this grounding strap normal?

Is this a normal location for a grounding strap on a 1969 350?

It's a braided strap from a valve cover bolt to a bolt on the idler arm. It's worn out and I want to replace it, but I can't seem to find the replacement part on any of the Corvette-themed parts websites. I don't need a correct replacement if this is a non standard setup. I'm mainly just curious.


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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 11:53 AM
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Does it have the ground cable connected from the starter brace to the frame? Maybe the design of the headers made that unusable. Never seen that setup before.
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 01:46 PM
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That cable is not OEM. A previous owner must have felt they needed it for some reason.

68-70 Corvettes used 3 braided ground straps, each about 3-4 inch long. Two of the grounds attached to the transmission crossmember, on each side of the trans, and bolted to the exhaust clamp on each pipe. The third one clipped to the front of the left sill and bolted to the frame by the number one body mount.
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by sullyman56
Does it have the ground cable connected from the starter brace to the frame? Maybe the design of the headers made that unusable. Never seen that setup before.
No starter brace ground cable. There is a smaller gear reduction starter installed so the typical brace is not present.

Maybe it does have to do with the headers. I love mysteries...
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by gbvette62
That cable is not OEM. A previous owner must have felt they needed it for some reason.

68-70 Corvettes used 3 braided ground straps, each about 3-4 inch long. Two of the grounds attached to the transmission crossmember, on each side of the trans, and bolted to the exhaust clamp on each pipe. The third one clipped to the front of the left sill and bolted to the frame by the number one body mount.
Thanks for the info. I wonder if this strap even serves any real purpose then. I guess I should search around for those other grounds too to make sure they are where they should be...
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 03:24 PM
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Side exit cars do not have ant ground straps on the trans crossmember. This is a good indicator if the car is an original 1969 N14 car- no cut threads in those holes in the crossmember.
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 11:01 PM
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The starter has the positive cable coming directly from the battery to the starter solenoid. The starter needs that SAME pathway for negative side of the system (ground). If no large cable is run from the frame to the starter housing, you WILL have starting problems. Sooner or later, you will have problems.
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Old Jun 4, 2019 | 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
The starter has the positive cable coming directly from the battery to the starter solenoid. The starter needs that SAME pathway for negative side of the system (ground). If no large cable is run from the frame to the starter housing, you WILL have starting problems. Sooner or later, you will have problems.
Well I will confirm my wiring and make sure I had a good ground. Thanks for the tip!
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