The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Ground Strap Problem

Hello, I have a 46 Chevy Truck with a 235 engine from a 58 or 59 Chevy, numbers 3836846 GM 14 (see picture link). I have a 6 volt system and I am trying to install a new ground strap from the frame to the engine block, but I can't find the size of screw that fits in the block (see picture link). I have tried 3/8 and 5/16 and neither fit right. Does anyone know the correct bolt size and where I can but them?

My 235 Engine Numbers

Engine Block Screw Holes I want to Use For Ground

On the AD trucks, the ground strap is attached to one of the starter bolts. That seems to be a pretty simple way to do it.

Thank you for your reply. My Battery Negative Ground Strap is attached to one of the Starter Bolts. I have a 6 volt system and I am having electrical problems and I want to attach another ground strap from the frame to the engine.

I think the way my 51 is connected is the battery negative to the frame and the frame is connected to the starter. For the battery connection to the frame, I used a self tapping bolt that bites into the metal.

Thank you for the reply, but I still want to bolt it to the engine block. Does anyone know the size of bolt I need and thread type?

bumb

The hole in your picture is a 3/8"-16. Use a plug tap and chase out the paint and rust, and the 3/8" bolt will fit just right. A taper tap won't cut a full thread deep enough to do much good.
Jerry

I always use neverseize on the connections. It gives good conductivity, helps prevent corrosion, and the bolts come out later when and if you ever need to take them out.

On my 41 there is a place on the transmission made just for connecting the ground wire, I can show you a picture if you like. Dave

Thank you, I will try that

Yes, that would be great. I read on Jim Carters website that for a 6 volt system, I need two ground straps from the frame to the engine.

That's ridiculous. What sort of problem are you trying to correct? It might be necessary to run a small-diameter ground from the frame to the body, and possibly another one to the bed from the frame to account for rusty mounting points so the lights will burn bright, but once there's a good ground between the battery and the engine block, starter current and ignition will have a good return to the battery. It's much more important to have clean, tight connections everywhere than to go to extremes adding unnecessary grounds.
Jerry