Grounds

[frank_a]

I'm running a main ground from my battery to a nut I welded on the chassis. I am also running a ground from the engine to that same nut.

My question is this: my ground on the engine is the right side aluminum head (it has a few threaded holes in each end). Is that okay, or should I run it directly to the block?

Thanks for any help.

[Bruce Pickett]

I run ground cable from battery to the starter bolt and then braided cable to frame--steel to steel--aluminum will oxidize badly with electricity. Yes the snout of starter is aluminum but the bolt to block is steel--cast iron block is steel.

I also run a dedicated ground wire--10 gauge -- from battery to a buss bar (out of a home electrical panel ) for all other grounds to terminate at so you don't have to trace them down individually.

[frank_a]

That gets to my question Bruce. My aluminum heads are bolted to the block. The bolts to the block are steel. Is that not good? I ask because I can also bolt directly to the block, but would have to remove paint.

I have a buss bar behind my dash set up the for grounds. I have grounds run to about everything, including my fuel gauge on one of my kegs.

I tried to post a pic, but the website could not determine the size of my pic. Never had that happen before!

[Bruce Pickett]

I do this to hide the wires from sight above. The heat from the cable attached to the head can/will cause resistance and a hard start when hot. I only have 2 on top of engine- temperature and choke. Distributor wire runs down back of block into wire loom. Just me.

[Indycars]

My aluminum heads are bolted to the block. The bolts to the block are steel. Is that not good?

Did you put anything on the head bolt threads before you torqued them?

[frank_a]

Such that my memory was that good. I did whatever the instructions said.

[frank_a]

Bruce, I will put that engine to chassis ground on one of the two bolts holding the starter on. Thanks man!