engine ground question

[TMartinLVNV]

Ok, this may be a totally dumb question. I was removing the powdercoat on the right side frame engine mount hole where the grounding strap attaches with a bolt/nut. I'm probably overthinking this. Does the coating on the grade 8 bolt/nut and the engine mount need to be removed too? Or put another way, does the golden color corrosion coating need to be sanded off in order to get a good ground connection?

[delta0014]

The ground strap contacts the frame directly, so I can’t imagine the bolt would affect anything, it just holds the strap to the frame.

[FF33rod]

No, the "coating" on the bolt doesn't need to be removed...
Steve

[Avalanche325]

No as stated above. Just remove some powder coat. I use dielectric grease to keep a good connection and prevent rust. I also use a star washer on the back under the nut to bite in a little.

[TMartinLVNV]

Awesome, thanks guys.

[rich grsc]

No as stated above. Just remove some powder coat. I use dielectric grease to keep a good connection and prevent rust. I also use a star washer on the back under the nut to bite in a little.

Lookup what you are using and know what it is.

Dielectric grease, or tune-up grease, is a silicone-based grease that repels moisture and protects electrical connections against corrosion. ... The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn't be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection.

[denn1s48]

Ok, this may be a totally dumb question. I was removing the powdercoat on the right side frame engine mount hole where the grounding strap attaches with a bolt/nut. I'm probably overthinking this. Does the coating on the grade 8 bolt/nut and the engine mount need to be removed too? Or put another way, does the golden color corrosion coating need to be sanded off in order to get a good ground connection?

I use this, it's made for conducting electricity. Just be careful because it is messy & the carbon black stains. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T8ROWA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Avalanche325]

Lookup what you are using and know what it is.

Dielectric grease, or tune-up grease, is a silicone-based grease that repels moisture and protects electrical connections against corrosion. ... The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn't be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection.


The dielectric grease is a coating that prevents corrosion. The physical contact is what conducts the electricity. It is fine to use it on this type of connection where you use a bolt. It should not be used on some pin / socket type connections where the grease may prevent the physical contact. I spent 6 years as a nuke electrician on a submarine in my younger days. I'm well versed in electrical connections in high corrosion environments.

https://www.permatex.com/products/lubricants/specialty-lubricants/permatex-dielectric-tune-up-grease-4/
DIRECTIONS FOR CONNECTORS:
Directions for Connectors:

Make sure ignition system is off.
Clean surface with Permatex® Contact Cleaner.
Coat both parts of terminal contact with Dielectric Grease.
Reassemble, maintaining metal-to-metal contact.

[TMartinLVNV]

No as stated above. Just remove some powder coat. I use dielectric grease to keep a good connection and prevent rust. I also use a star washer on the back under the nut to bite in a little.

So you put some on the face of the mating surfaces, not just on the backside? Also, do you put some on the ends of the spark plugs before sliding the boot over?

Terry

[Avalanche325]

So you put some on the face of the mating surfaces, not just on the backside? Also, do you put some on the ends of the spark plugs before sliding the boot over?

Terry

I do for something like a ground where there is going to be mechanical clamping. The grease will be left in any voids and around the edges, which helps prevent corrosion by keeping oxygen out.

I don't tend to use it on spark plugs. I pull mine once or twice a year to clean and gap. The grease can be sticky and nasty. If I were getting water in the boots, I would use it on the rubber boot to help seal, but not on the connection post. Same for sticky boots. Like Rich said, it is not conductive.

[TMartinLVNV]

Ok thanks. I'm going to pick up some of the star washers too. I'll remove my battery negative to the frame and do that location as well.

Terry

[CraigS]

Ok thanks. I'm going to pick up some of the star washers too. I'll remove my battery negative to the frame and do that location as well.

Terry

I am glad you are looking at this. Grounds are so important. Not as much on a simple carb SBF but still they need to be good. On the modern cars I used to work on they also had maybe 10 gauge ground wires to the heads and the intake to be sure the efi sensors, the throttle body, the cam timing actuators etc, would work properly.