How many grounds??
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
How many grounds??
I have been fighting problems of the not starting after shutdown for a while now. I am trying to get this truck roadworthy(74 f 100 390) I only have a ground from the battery to the block, and one from the hood to firewall
I have changed brainbox to msd dist, 6a box.,new wires,ignition switch,
voltage reg, coil. Sometimes after I get it fired back up it runs really rough, Ill shut it off fire it back up once or twice and it runs fine???? I read somewhere that ground could cause this?
I also think I need to reroute my fuel line, it's right over my edelbrock manifold
but as far as it not restarting its from no spark.
I have changed brainbox to msd dist, 6a box.,new wires,ignition switch,
voltage reg, coil. Sometimes after I get it fired back up it runs really rough, Ill shut it off fire it back up once or twice and it runs fine???? I read somewhere that ground could cause this?
I also think I need to reroute my fuel line, it's right over my edelbrock manifold
but as far as it not restarting its from no spark.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
It's possible but first, are you sure your starter is good? Next, are you running headers? A lot of times the headers run real close to the starter and cause "heat soak" when you shut down. To fix this you could either switch to a high torque mini-starter or fabricate a heat shield for the starter or use an insulating blanket for the starter.
In answer to your question, you can never have too many grounds. From the factory, there is the battery ground that goes from the negative post of the battery to the block, if you have a radio there is a ground strap from the hood to the firewall, there is also a ground strap that goes from the intake manifold to the firewall. Some have also had a ground from the splash pan to firewall.
On my project I've added a radiator support to frame, frame to starter grounds. When I finish the Pumpkin, there's also going to be grounds from the bed to frame and cab to frame.
In answer to your question, you can never have too many grounds. From the factory, there is the battery ground that goes from the negative post of the battery to the block, if you have a radio there is a ground strap from the hood to the firewall, there is also a ground strap that goes from the intake manifold to the firewall. Some have also had a ground from the splash pan to firewall.
On my project I've added a radiator support to frame, frame to starter grounds. When I finish the Pumpkin, there's also going to be grounds from the bed to frame and cab to frame.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
The carb. sits in the center of your engine so to get the fuel to it it has to go over the manifold in the front area . Ground the cab body to the frame , then frame to engine block , the more the better you can't get to many grounds hooked up.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Something else, be sure all of your connections are CLEAN and tight, in particular the battery and starter connections. Check the battery terminals and clamps. Clean and tighten them. Be sure the cables themselves are good. They can look good but have high resistance.
On any ground connection, be sure the metal attach point is clean down to shiny metal.
On any ground connection, be sure the metal attach point is clean down to shiny metal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
never enough grounds!
just checkin in. yeah never enough grounds. firewall to engine engine to frame. front clip to frame. bed to frame. i like to use my frame as my common ground area and ground close to starter to frame. things work great. my truck has 2 winches frt/rear and went big on grounds. 170 amp alternator.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Grounds:
Battery to engine
Engine to cab
Cab to frame
Bed to frame
Core support to frame...
Weld 1/4-inch bolts to the frame & body components and use ground straps with eyelets. .. looks snazzy if ya use stainless braided straps.
Battery to engine
Engine to cab
Cab to frame
Bed to frame
Core support to frame...
Weld 1/4-inch bolts to the frame & body components and use ground straps with eyelets. .. looks snazzy if ya use stainless braided straps.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: In Hastings Delton area
Haveyou checked starter draw see how many amps starter is pulling when cranking .Could be a heat soak problem also as far as grounds go more is better but running a ground to the starter is a good bet On the 300 sixes this was a common problem .Also seen this on the old v 6 rangers .
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 112
Likes: 11
From: Bellefontaine Ohio
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