[DeTomaso] starting problems

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/13/08 2:03:39 PM, edlebby at yahoo.com writes:

> Jack - what gauge wire is "large" in your book...10g?
> 
0-gauge, or 00 gauge! I recommend using at least "standard" ground wire for 
6v or 12v batteries; a flat braided ground maybe an inch wide seems best. Our 
engine block is sitting on two rubber vibration-isolaters, as is the ZF and is 
not well connected. On troublesome cars, I've used pieces of 00 arc-welding 
ground cable. Welding cable has many more far finer copper wires braided into it 
than automotive cable, which is often aluminum nowadays. Current carrying 
capacity is rated by the metallurgy and surface area of all the tiny wires added 
together; a piece of 3/8" OD copper pipe won't carry as much current as a 3/8" 
OD braided cable. Don't skimp here- your new wire may carry practically ALL 
the current sent to the starter, which can be over 250 amps!   
On most U.S   Panteras, there's a stud near the rear of the frame designed to 
take a ground off the back of the ZF, and I've seen others that used a longer 
ground wire off a head bolt to a clean spot on the subframe extensions. The 
stock setup also depends on multiple spot-welds that make up our cars 
monococque, to carry starting current flow from the starter motor back to the 
front-mounted battery's ground post during starting, and on some cars with many broken 
(or never-made) welds, it just doesn't happen. This is also sometimes a source 
of poor instrument readings; some of your gauges may suddenly read diffe
rently after adding a good engine ground. Good luck- J Deryke


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