[mpbelair]

One of the things I look at, car shows, etc., under the hood of a 57 is the placement of the negative ground. I've removed the battery from the trunk area and returned to the stock location up front. The old assy manual shows it connected to water pump bolt. What I've noticed on cars I've seen is the cable preference is all over the place. Is it a matter of preference or practicality depending on accessories and room under the hood.

 

[hddude]

starter bolt.

 

[BigDaddyRat]

Matter of Preference... yes, but more ground is better..

One of the things I look at, car shows, etc., under the hood of a 57 is the placement of the negative ground. I've removed the battery from the trunk area and returned to the stock location up front. The old assy manual shows it connected to water pump bolt. What I've noticed on cars I've seen is the cable preference is all over the place. Is it a matter of preference or practicality depending on accessories and room under the hood.

Yes, you are correct, it's a matter of preference, however, if you're battery is in front, and your primary negative ground from the battery is connected to the engine, then you should always run another jumper from the engine block over to the frame, then another from the frame to the body. Might sound like overkill to some, but most electrical problems are related back to a poor ground and this insures good ground through-out your entire electrical system. My battery is in the trunk, grounded to frame, then up front I have a ground between engine and frame, and from frame to body. best of luck, BDR

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

MP...Whenever I'm not sure about where something goes, I check the Assembly Manual.....In this case the positive goes to the starter and the negative goes to the engine water pump on the V8 and the cylinder head on the 6 cyl....We have AM's at the site for all three years.....See link:http://www.trifive.com/garage/57 Chevy Assembly Manual/12-13.gif

 

[mpbelair]

Thanks for the input

Along the same lines, the assy manual shows a ground strap from the hump cover to the old powerglide trans. got a 400 now.

Still necessary?

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Does not necessarily have to be at that location....However, you must have a ground strap from the engine somewhere to the body.

 

[shoeboxlen]

Personally I am of the persuasion that extra grounding is always better. I lef the stock grounding strap in place to the motor but added a 4 guage ground wire to the body of the car and another to the actual frame.