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Author
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Topic: Ground Strap?
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thumpin cat
Gearhead Posts: 495
From: Santa Barbara, California
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-15-2004 05:18 AM
  
I am going to do a ground strap from the engine block to the frame and i wanted to know if 8 gauge wire will be ok to use? Please let me know thanks.
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lawless
Gearhead Posts: 487
From: Richmond, VA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-15-2004 09:20 AM
I would use 4 guage minimum and I would run two straps: One from the block to the frame and one from the block to the firewall.Chris
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Billy Mac
Gearhead Posts: 857
From: S.Ga
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-15-2004 10:35 PM
I recently read a tech update from MSD.....they recommend (if you are running aluminum heads) to have a ground wire/strap off of EACH head to the frame.....YES, they do mention that that might sound like over-kill, but sometimes a little over-kill can make a BIG difference.
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9489
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 06-15-2004 11:22 PM
Billy,They recomend that because it is possible for the heads to be insulated from the block. The heads have to ground the plugs so a good ground wire to each head makes sense.  SteveW
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1724
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 06-15-2004 11:22 PM
I've heard just the opposite. Not good to ground just thru alum. heads.  Anyway, I run mine off one 4 guage flatwound strap to a top bellhousing bolt and it always cranks good and I run a big electric fan, MSD-6D+, and have battery in the trunk. 2 MONSTER straps won't hurt though.  ------------------
1966 Mustang Coupe: Custom glass hood and BIG scoop sits atop a 289 stroked to 331 c.i., Steel crank, rods and girdle, TFS alum. heads, Stealth 8020 intake, Xtreme 268 Solid Roller, Holley 750 HP, long tubes, 4speed, 9" 3.50 posi.
11.86 @ 116 mph (7.62 @ 93 mph)daily driver!
DanH
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lawless
Gearhead Posts: 487
From: Richmond, VA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-16-2004 11:26 AM
quote:
Originally posted by steve'66:
Billy,They recomend that because it is possible for the heads to be insulated from the block. The heads have to ground the plugs so a good ground wire to each head makes sense. SteveW
It is also very possible that even iron heads be isolated from the block... or have high resistance which casuses a voltage drop. Typically head gaskets are made of a non-conductive material, so that means that the head bolts or the water in the cooling system is the negative conducter completing the circuit to the battery ground. (Vehicles are isolated from earth ground by the tires) When head bolts pass through a water jacket, a builder typically puts some sort of sealant on the threads. This interferes with the conductivity of the head bolt. All of the other head bolts are typically "oiled" to get accurate torque measurements. The oil can interfere with the conductivity. So having some sort of strap between the head and the block does make sense in certain situations. In a perfect world, every circuit in a car would be "grounded" to one point on the block to ensure that there is a low resistance path. I'll explain a little bit more later... but this is all simple ohms law stuff. Chris
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