Electrical Proper negative ground location

[sav22rem22]

So around 9 months ago I put a new negative and positive batter cable set on as my old ones were garbage and sometimes my car wouldn’t even turn over. They completely fixed the issue but I’m wondering about the correct location for the negative ground. The first picture is where I just relocated it to (it’s where LMR shows putting it) and the second picture is where I’ve had it for 9 months.

I did make sure that the new location was all bare and shiny metal before hand and cleaned it up really nice. Does anyone know which one is actually correct?

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

The top one is correct.

 

[alutwon]

I think its fine where you have it. Any where on the block should be fine but heres a diagram i found

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

I think its fine where you have it. Any where on the block should be fine but heres a diagram i found

That's the other side but good info.

 

[General karthief]

That cable looks kinda small.
I agree with the first picture placement.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Top is factory correct.

 

[KRUISR]

Here is where mine was when I did a full disassembly on the factory (untouched) engine 6 years ago after I picked my car up. If year matters, 1990 GT

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

Here is where mine was when I did a full disassembly on the factory (untouched) engine 6 years ago after I picked my car up. If year matters, 1990 GT

Not going to start a feud but that's not the factory location.

 

[KRUISR]

Not starting a feud at all, but let me point out a couple observations.

Putting the cable where it is in my pic, the ground cable has an easy straight path to the battery area.

Installing ground on the starter cable bracket mount (the upper one in the OPs pic and mine) the ground cable needs to bend 90 degrees to point toward battery.

Think about which way the factory would orient a cable with a flat end connector (like the ground is).

I the position the OP has it, his connector is bent 90 degrees up to head toward battery.

Just my observations.

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

Not starting a feud at all, but let me point out a couple observations.

Putting the cable where it is in my pic, the ground cable has an easy straight path to the battery area.

Installing ground on the starter cable bracket mount (the upper one in the OPs pic and mine) the ground cable needs to bend 90 degrees to point toward battery.

Think about which way the factory would orient a cable with a flat end connector (like the ground is).

I the position the OP has it, his connector is bent 90 degrees up to head toward battery.

Just my observations.

Either place is fine for sure. My original cars owned by me both were in the factory place... Pic 1.
All of them I ever worked on when they were new were in that spot. I just wanted to make sure if someone was searching the forums for where the factory put them, they'd get the right location.

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

Btw... From the factory it points down, not up. It just makes a U and goes back up. It can go under the bracket and point correctly downward.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I’m the only person to ever disassemble my car, and it was bolted to the block, not to the timing cover.

I may even have a picture from when I shot pics of all the wiring before I pulled everything apart.

 

[General karthief]

Ok, let me throw a curve ball at ya'll.
First let me say again the top pic is correct for factory stock.
The problem with attaching it to the bolt on the timing cover:
Steel bolt, good but you're putting an aluminum cover that has coolant running through it in between. Setting up corrosion possibility. (Electrolysis is less likely on that bolt but still)
Also think about the cover between the cable and the block, to me that is like putting a butt connector on a wire, it will work but there is a bigger possibility of failure later on.
I also say again that wire looks small to me.
Electricity does not care about bends, you can tie that wire in a knot and it don't care.
Just some thoughts from someone that is not a professional mechanic and is likely more lucky than skillful.

 

[Mustang5L5]

The more I think about it, the more you are correct. I change my answer. Use the top hole only.

 

[KRUISR]

Actually both locations are on the timing cover. The one I am advocating at least the bolt goes into the cast block (there is no coolant at that part of the cover).

The OPs current position is a bolt into the aluminum cover, yes likely near coolant. I stick with my recommendation as per the photo I attached.

 

[Mustang5L5]

This is how mine was hooked from the factory.

given that both locations are in the AL timing cover I don’t think it matters much

 

[General karthief]

You are absolutely correct about that, I now remember a discussion on this same subject and I made basically the same stupid rant and then realized I was incorrect.
But man I made a great argument on baseless facts, this is why most times I post the disclaimer about not being a real mechanic!

 

[HemiRick]

The ground cable should be bolted to the block, not the timing cover. Both will work, but the block is better long term.

 

[sav22rem22]

That cable looks kinda small.
I agree with the first picture placement.

I bought the cable from LMR so I honestly don’t know

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

We've been thru this numerous times. There is no threaded hole at the factory location in the block other than the oil sending unit extension hole. So where could it possibly go? It came from the factory in the timing cover on hundreds of thousands of these cars. There's zero issue with it.