Need pics of battery Connections - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Corey'sgotachev · 03-11-2018, 01:54 PM

Was trying to start the truck. Starter turning over slow and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I have read about the need to ground the front fender on a 70 chevy. Could my crappy battery connection force current through the fender on its return to the battery?
What kind of battery connections do you all use?
What else would cause this wire to burn up?
I've had this truck for a year with no problems. Could it be that since I haven't driven it much (broken rear diff), the battery has drained and needs replacing?

Thank you for your help!

B. W. · 03-11-2018, 02:56 PM

That looks like the negative terminal & the small melted wire grounds on the fender?

If that's the case, check the large gauge ground wire. Make sure it's connected to the engine block & that the connections are clean.

**HO455** · 03-11-2018, 03:05 PM

I believe your assessment is correct about the ground connections. Here is an older photo of my new battery cables. I circled the negative connection at the block. There is an additional cable going from the block to the frame that I don't have pictures of. I prefer the marine style clamps with soldered lugs over the store bought cables. I would advise you to ditch the clamps you are using as they are very susceptible to corrosion which may be part of your current (

) problem. (Sorry I couldn't resist the bad electrician's pun). You can also use crimp style lugs and make your own cables. Use heavy welding or commercial lugs and a good crimper. If you need more info on that there was a great thread on making them a couple months ago.

Corey'sgotachev · 03-11-2018, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HO455

I would advise you to ditch the clamps you are using as they are very susceptible to corrosion which may be part of your current (

) problem. (Sorry I couldn't resist the bad electrician's pun). You can also use crimp style lugs and make your own cables. Use heavy welding or commercial lugs and a good crimper.

Ha! Yes! I took the connections off. The cables pulled out the "clamp". Going to check the end bolted to block. Prev owner at least shrink-booted that end. The cable is approx 1/2" dia =??? 2/0 AWG?

Hoping to crimp real lugs to battery end and with a good battery terminal, correct my problem.

**HO455** · 03-11-2018, 03:19 PM

Is the diameter measurement the conductors or the cable?

RustyBucket · 03-11-2018, 04:21 PM

All the ground tried to through the body ground. Awhile back I neglected to tighten the neg. cable end to the block and cooked the insulation off the small body ground to the fender. Didn't hurt the wire, just melted the plastic off. Not real happy with the crappy tape job repair but it's a reminder to pay attention to what I'm doing. Pretty easy/cheap fix for you is store bought battery cables.

03-11-2018, 01:54 PM	#1
Corey'sgotachev Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 48	Need pics of battery Connections Was trying to start the truck. Starter turning over slow and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I have read about the need to ground the front fender on a 70 chevy. Could my crappy battery connection force current through the fender on its return to the battery? What kind of battery connections do you all use? What else would cause this wire to burn up? I've had this truck for a year with no problems. Could it be that since I haven't driven it much (broken rear diff), the battery has drained and needs replacing? Thank you for your help! Attached Images

03-11-2018, 02:56 PM	#2
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: Need pics of battery Connections That looks like the negative terminal & the small melted wire grounds on the fender? If that's the case, check the large gauge ground wire. Make sure it's connected to the engine block & that the connections are clean.

03-11-2018, 03:05 PM	#3
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: Need pics of battery Connections I believe your assessment is correct about the ground connections. Here is an older photo of my new battery cables. I circled the negative connection at the block. There is an additional cable going from the block to the frame that I don't have pictures of. I prefer the marine style clamps with soldered lugs over the store bought cables. I would advise you to ditch the clamps you are using as they are very susceptible to corrosion which may be part of your current () problem. (Sorry I couldn't resist the bad electrician's pun). You can also use crimp style lugs and make your own cables. Use heavy welding or commercial lugs and a good crimper. If you need more info on that there was a great thread on making them a couple months ago. Attached Images __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-11-2018, 03:19 PM	#5
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: Need pics of battery Connections Is the diameter measurement the conductors or the cable? __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-11-2018, 04:21 PM	#6
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Need pics of battery Connections All the ground tried to through the body ground. Awhile back I neglected to tighten the neg. cable end to the block and cooked the insulation off the small body ground to the fender. Didn't hurt the wire, just melted the plastic off. Not real happy with the crappy tape job repair but it's a reminder to pay attention to what I'm doing. Pretty easy/cheap fix for you is store bought battery cables. Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!



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