Ground straps, Make me angry Options

[emerygt350]

Brand new ground strap, installed clean and brushed on both transmission and body. Completely failed me. Wire brushed the neg to body. Checked the cables and replaced the post to starter cable (it was questionable ). Car still wouldn't turn over. Added a new 6 gauge cable from the negative terminal to the spot where the coil attaches to the tin work, turns over like a new car. Even my gauges are working better. Wth. Could it just be the transmission case itself?

I remember an argument about additional ground straps a couple years ago, but can't find it. Any reason not to just keep my aftermarket ground strap?

[emerygt350]

I see. I moved it to that spot on the shroud. All good. Much more comfortable with that spot.

[930cabman]

I see. I moved it to that spot on the shroud. All good. Much more comfortable with that spot.

All well and good, BUT, how is the connection between the aluminum shroud and the case and the case with the chassis?

[davep]

All well and good, BUT, how is the connection between the aluminum shroud and the case and the case with the chassis?

The electrical connection from the fan shroud to the engine case, and the engine case to the transmission case should be excellent, much better than the chassis itself. That is how the alternator is grounded to the chassis in all 914's.

There was some talk of current through bearings and gears, but IMHO that is totally insignificant. The fan housing bridges the two engine case halves and the case bolts do the same. If you keep the battery and transmission ground straps in place, then I see no possibility of problems

[914_teener]

All well and good, BUT, how is the connection between the aluminum shroud and the case and the case with the chassis?

The electrical connection from the fan shroud to the engine case, and the engine case to the transmission case should be excellent, much better than the chassis itself. That is how the alternator is grounded to the chassis in all 914's.

There was some talk of current through bearings and gears, but IMHO that is totally insignificant. The fan housing bridges the two engine case halves and the case bolts do the same. If you keep the battery and transmission ground straps in place, then I see no possibility of problems

I agree. The German engineers knew what they were doing. The strap width and design takes into account any anodic activity and is the reason it is designed as it is. After 50 years of salt, rain or snow, the reason it should be replaced every 50 years or so. Mag is the most reactive metal, but light and strong.

[930cabman]

All well and good, BUT, how is the connection between the aluminum shroud and the case and the case with the chassis?

The electrical connection from the fan shroud to the engine case, and the engine case to the transmission case should be excellent, much better than the chassis itself. That is how the alternator is grounded to the chassis in all 914's.

There was some talk of current through bearings and gears, but IMHO that is totally insignificant. The fan housing bridges the two engine case halves and the case bolts do the same. If you keep the battery and transmission ground straps in place, then I see no possibility of problems

I agree. The German engineers knew what they were doing. The strap width and design takes into account any anodic activity and is the reason it is designed as it is. After 50 years of salt, rain or snow, the reason it should be replaced every 50 years or so. Mag is the most reactive metal, but light and strong.

Key phrase is "Mag is the most reactive" mix that in with a bit of salt spray our Northeastern cars get and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)