While working on the engine a while ago, I found the negative battery cable was bolted onto the ignition coil bracket next to the steel fuel hose! The cable looks like it was a replacement; someone got lazy and terminated it wherever was handy.

I need to know the original negative cable's routing. What is its length and where does it originally terminate? As far as I remember, it originally was lower on the engine near the starter. Is this correct?

 

Yes, it is down by the starter. When I replaced mine I bought the 36 inch length and it fit fine.

 

On my 76 F150 the ground cable bolts to the block on the lower front pass side with a 7/16 bolt

 

What he said ^.

 

On my 400 the right front of the block theres an ear that hangs down behind the alternater about two inches lower my ground is on that and the cable dosnt have to very long

 

Thanks, guys. Off to correct it.

36" sounds right.

 

The OEM cable also has a tab that bolts to the frame on the way to the block near the starter. Maybe someone has a picture of the OEM cable.

 

Aw..this is new to me. Sigh, another part to scourge.

Pics of this tab, anyone?!

 

 

Thanks for the picture Dennis. As you know my truck is buried...

Your cable clamp does not look quite like mine tho. Mine is an actual electrical connection. The rubber-plastic part is just barely larger than the cable. Yours looks larger, like an insulated clamp. -hmmm???

A normal cable could be used, just carefully strip off the insulation in the tab area. Modify a copper pipe clamp (steel with copper plating) to wrap around the cable. Solder the clamp to the cable. Cover the cable section with liquid electrical tape compound. Bolt tab to cleaned and prepped frame.