Re: Why would my headlights be dim?
Posted by HH56 On 2017/5/11 17:30:28
Packards battery ground is something I've wondered about. On prewars there was a healthy ground strap between the frame and the engine generally located around the transmission area. Believe the battery ground strap also connected to the frame so the bodies had a good ground on those models.
Postwar, until 55 I have yet to see a Packard that has what I would consider a good frame or body ground. The battery ground cable goes directly to the block and except for a 14ga wire between the generator case and the left fender which continues on to the body ending at the voltage regulator, there appears to be no other hard connections -- at least I have never found anything on the cars I have taken apart. If there was something originally, like fuel pump heat shields and Electromatic components, they must have tended to disappear.
As far as I can tell, on pre 55 post war models Packard relied on the generator ground wire, tubing, linkages and various mounts to complete the ground from the block to the frame and body. 55-56 added a small 6" or 8" strap at the firewall between the right side head and the body.
On the 47, I interrupted the ground cable with a disconnect switch and added a small strap between the engine side battery ground cable and frame. IMO, it would not hurt to add something between the block and body or frame on other pre 55 postwar years. Even if there is an original strap somewhere a second won't hurt. Napa has the 15 inch long 8 or 10ga straps shown in the photo with terminals sized for bolts at each end.
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Postwar, until 55 I have yet to see a Packard that has what I would consider a good frame or body ground. The battery ground cable goes directly to the block and except for a 14ga wire between the generator case and the left fender which continues on to the body ending at the voltage regulator, there appears to be no other hard connections -- at least I have never found anything on the cars I have taken apart. If there was something originally, like fuel pump heat shields and Electromatic components, they must have tended to disappear.
As far as I can tell, on pre 55 post war models Packard relied on the generator ground wire, tubing, linkages and various mounts to complete the ground from the block to the frame and body. 55-56 added a small 6" or 8" strap at the firewall between the right side head and the body.
On the 47, I interrupted the ground cable with a disconnect switch and added a small strap between the engine side battery ground cable and frame. IMO, it would not hurt to add something between the block and body or frame on other pre 55 postwar years. Even if there is an original strap somewhere a second won't hurt. Napa has the 15 inch long 8 or 10ga straps shown in the photo with terminals sized for bolts at each end.
Attach file:
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