I am told that one of the reasons my charging system drains the battery while the motor is running is because it has a poor ground. Before I start changing parts... where do I look for the ground? engine block? firewall? Starter?

TIA.

 

Most ground wires I've seen are on the passenger side front of the block. Ideally, the side the battery is on.

May want to check the alternator for ground too (through the case). Make sure the alternators mounting points are clean and that the mounts have good contact to the block.

If you run the engine for a while and the alt. is getting hot, it's a good sign it's not grounded properly.

 

Excellent thank you.

I also found this post: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...placement.html

So will check these two things. The truck originally had a 302 in it. 83, F350 4x4 crew.


Now it has a 351M, year unknown.

 

the ground goes from the negative battery terminal to one of the bolts on the exhaust head. I do see a bolt hole on the engine block that doesn't have anything attached to it. is it possible that the bolt on the exhaust head just isn't giving a good enough ground?

 

Yes, very possible. I wonder why it got hooked up there, as it's the most likely spot to rust.
The place it usually goes looks like a small boss on the side, right behind the timing cover. Usually has a stud with a nut on it there. Doubles as a trans line hanger point.

 

My ground cable goes from the battery to a bolt in the frame and then continues to the stud referred to above.

The exhaust stud is not a good place for the ground.

 

Most often the ground cable has a little 'flag' on it that screws to the frame close to the ground stud at the front of the block.
The engine mounts are rubber and about the only other thing to act as ground is the throttle cable.
(well, you've seen my post..)

You might want to add one of those braided web ground straps from the block to frame if you don't find you already have another solid ground on your truck.

Check to see how you are charging after you are sure about your ground.
14+V is good.
You might just have a bad alternator.

 

New alternator. new fan belt. new voltage regulator on the firewall. when I bought it these things were missing. I like the idea of adding the ground strap.

 

Ground straps are inexpensive enough.
I replaced my cab to frame ground not long ago.

If the alternator isn't putting out, it may well be the ground.

But, unfortunately I know all too well that "New" doesn't always mean good.
It could also be that the regulator has an issue, or there's a problem with your wiring harness.

First things first. Let's get the engine block properly grounded.

 

loving253, what's with the spam at the end of all your post?

 

Thanks for asking this!

I don't see any SPAM but his IP address is from China and there have been more than a few of 'em infecting FTE recently, I've asked the supermods/admins to look into it.

 

Thanks Chris.
Looks like you or the supermods have taken care of it, he's post are gone.