Battery Ground cable

[rdaniel911]

This may seem like a bit of a stupid question, but I don't remember, I'm putting the wiring back in the old 68 with a 240, and run into a question. On all my other vehicles of this time frame, the negative battery cable grounded to the engine, but on the diagram, it looks like on this year truck it grounded to the body, can anyone set me straight on this.

[rdaniel911]

Oh and also, do they sell the little condensor?noise suppressor looking thing that mounts with the voltage regulator, the wire on mine is screwed up.

[FORDification]

The main battery ground should always be to the engine. Paint, rubber bushings, etc. could prevent a body ground from being adequate. There should also be a small ground strap going from the back of the engine to the firewall.

[rdaniel911]

I know that is the best way, and normal way I do it, but the diagram was throwing me off, have seen some older fords with it to the body, just didn't remember on the 68. I was thinking it should go just below where the alternator mounts if memory serves.

[DCrusher]

I know that is the best way, and normal way I do it, but the diagram was throwing me off, have seen some older fords with it to the body, just didn't remember on the 68. I was thinking it should go just below where the alternator mounts if memory serves.

Yes I just cleaned one of the motor mount bolt of paint and greese and put the negative side of the battery under it and be done I can't imagine anything else keeping from ground. Mine is a 68 and that is all it had and it's working like a champ.

[rdaniel911]

Thanks, I wanted to just make sure I was thinking right, in my old age i'm slipping sometimes, .

[basketcase0302]

Robert,
The black battery cable wire in your picture here is by no means long enough to properly work, it looks like someone tried to "cut corners" by getting a cable too short if that's the cable you have. Everyone above has good advice on it:


Love the color of your truck!

[rdaniel911]

It was a farm truck, so what ever worked for my wifes dad to keep it running. Yep thats the original Wimbeldon White #2 on it, I need to post some more current pics, I had to send it back for the second paint job, as the guy that did the first cut corners and did not do some of the repairs we had discussed. The guy I had do the second paint job did a lot better. I bought a 72 Explorer to swap the bed over, have a little bit of work to do on it, like covering the marker light with the bump extension from the old bed, but Its coming along. I was trying to put it back like was when he bought it, so the diagram showed what looked like the ground going to the body, that threw me off because i've never put one anywhere but the engine block, so wanted to ask everyone to make sure I was thinking right.

[Kurt Combs]

I know you have this resolved, but I thought I would throw this in because I remember things when I know the answer as to why they are done. It has to go to the block because of the draw on the battery by the starter. It might have work with it connected to the body, and it might not. And the alternator can put out some decent amperage too, so they both need a good passage for a ground. Just my