Negative Ground Cable attachment problem

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Jan 7, 2007 | 09:37 PM

davidbr93

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 18

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From: Cincinnati Ohio

Negative Ground Cable attachment problem

Today I went to loosen the neg ground cable at the frame and found it to spin freely but not detach. After spending some time trying to extract the bolt I decided to cut it. My question is how to replace the bolt and nut it attaches to. There is little access to that part of the frame and I'm wondering how get a nut positioned over the hole. Has anyone run into this problem before?

Jan 7, 2007 | 09:45 PM

tellcom2001

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 246

Likes: 1

From: west melbourne florida

on my 79 vette my ground is above the starter. but i added a second ground to the block next to the oil pressure sending unit and bolted it to the frame. i say find a new spot on the frame to bolt it to and add some extras

Jan 7, 2007 | 09:59 PM

Go Vette Go

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,364

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From: Lansdale 19446 PA

2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified

St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19

Which ground cable are you talking about? There are many.

If you are referring to the ground cable directly from the battery, I don't believe that has a nut behind it - just threaded into the cross member. Should have a star washer between the cable & the cross member too.

Jan 7, 2007 | 10:26 PM

big_G

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 5,752

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From: Austin Texas

Try to get a nut back there, don't forget the star lock-washer.

Jan 7, 2007 | 10:35 PM

68/70Vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 40,248

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From: Redondo Beach, California

On my 68, with a ZZ4 and ministarter, I decided not to use a ground strap from the starter to the motor mount, which is the stock routing. Instead, I drilled a hole in the frame near the ministarter, tapped the hole, and now I used that the as the main engine to frame ground routing. I think you can do something like this also if you want.

Jan 8, 2007 | 07:58 AM

77BuffaloVet

Racer

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 455

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From: Buffalo New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteman1978

If this is the one you are talking about, there is not a nut. The bolt threads into the cross member. If it spins freely you will have to find another place to bolt it to the frame or try a bigger bolt. I went up one size in bolts and drilled out the connector to fit. As long as the metal is clean the bolt is tight it will work fine.

Jan 8, 2007 | 09:30 AM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

mine was a nut and bolt and i was able to get at both. you could always drill a new hole and reposition it.

Jan 8, 2007 | 10:48 AM

wrc69v

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 243

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both attachment points for a ground cable (engine to frame, battery to frame) can be re-threaded with a tap and die set, then use a bolt that fits that tap and your done. I did this 5 years ago and still have the same battery and no electrical grounding problems.
good luck!