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| EVERYONE with a V6 please Read (Page 26/39) |
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Fiero Thomas
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AUG 11, 12:12 AM
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BUMP'N This awesome thread ------------------
Fiero Thomas
85 Fiero GT
86 Fiero GT
88 Formula T-Top C+C # 1239 of 1252, Build Digit 26,224 of 26,402
NIFE Member
Fiero News dot net
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RKSmallwood
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AUG 11, 03:28 AM
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Cropduster, Adding a larger cable to the positve terminal is a trick we would use on our old 4x4's when we added lights, especialy if we could not afford a bigger alternator. It would decrease the resistance to the battery and provide a better charge, less resistance = less loss = more available amps. Also adding the better grounds would improve the electrical circuit. I did this to my toyota 4cyl stock alternator, big amp and lights before adding the bigger cable from the positive side of the alternator, ie battery connection on alt to the pos term on battery.Lights would dim when wheeling off road at night with other acessories wipers heater fan. It was not an end all miracle but it did help alot and was much cheaper than a larger alternator. My toyota was as old as my fiero is and this is a great mod basic and simple thanks Rich, many cudos Roger.
( BTW Radio shack normaly has the big cable and ring lugs I used the gold plated type like they use on high end audio it looks nice for twice the price he he )[This message has been edited by RKSmallwood (edited 08-11-2007).]
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Chad87FB
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AUG 11, 04:05 AM
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Thanks for the bump for the newbs. I've been thinking about adding a ground to the dash to address the flickering voltage gauge and dancing speedo (car has a Dakota Digital speedo translator deal for use w/ a Baretta trans). Think I'll try this 1st.
One other thing worth mentioning:
| quote | Originally posted by $Rich$:
ues, i should add that it helps in the long run to use the copper grease or i just use the clear electro cundictive grease, the same stuff you should be using on your plug wire boots
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The grease used on spark plugs is dielectric grease which does NOT conduct electricity. It's used as an insulator to surpress arching and seal moisture out of the boot. The plug still fires because grease is scraped away from the connector when you push the wire onto the plug. I'd avoid using dielectric grease on a connection like a chassis ground.
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PaulJK
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AUG 11, 04:37 AM
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There are 3 grounds in the engine area; the heaviest one connects the engine / trans to the frame. The point of attachment to the frame is a torx-headed post also used to secure a bracket that supports a line going to the vapor canister. In my case, this ground was VERY bad because the post had nearly fallen out. When I used a 13mm screw to secure the ground to the frame, it made an amazing difference. Perhaps you wanna check the condition of this ground on your car as well. The post seems to be a mighty poor choice of attachment, to me. Here's a description with pics:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/084498.html
In regards to grease, I use "bulb grease" that comes in an orange-red packet sold for .99 at the counters at Kragen, AutoZone and Pep Boys.[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 08-11-2007).]
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Formula Owner
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AUG 11, 12:33 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Chad87FB:
The grease used on spark plugs is dielectric grease which does NOT conduct electricity. It's used as an insulator to surpress arching and seal moisture out of the boot. The plug still fires because grease is scraped away from the connector when you push the wire onto the plug. I'd avoid using dielectric grease on a connection like a chassis ground. |
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You are right about dielectric grease being non-conductive, but why do you recommend avoiding it for chassis connections? You're also right about it being used to surpress arching and seal moisture out of spark plug boots, but I would consider it's main use to be keeping contacts from oxidizing.
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$Rich$
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AUG 11, 12:38 PM
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WOW i cant beleive it made it past the archive police once again
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Frizlefrak
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AUG 11, 02:42 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by $Rich$:
WOW i cant beleive it made it past the archive police once again |
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And it's coming up on it's 4th birthday....
Still a valuable thread. That's why it's stuck around so long 
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Chad87FB
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AUG 11, 03:21 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Formula Owner:
You are right about dielectric grease being non-conductive, but why do you recommend avoiding it for chassis connections? You're also right about it being used to surpress arching and seal moisture out of spark plug boots, but I would consider it's main use to be keeping contacts from oxidizing. |
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You're trying to create a clean connection between the engine and chassis. Something that doesn't conduct electricity is the last thing I'd want between 2 flat connections like this. IMHO, it'd be better to make a nice clean connection then cover it with either paint or that red spray battery terminal sealer stuff (the technical term escapes me at the moment).
Of course without testing continuity with and without dielectric grease this is pure speculation.
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Dodgerunner
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AUG 11, 04:39 PM
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Acesurfer
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NOV 01, 01:32 PM
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just put mine on when i changed my oil and i think my windows might be a little faster (but i didnt really get to try it out, I only went around the corner).. but this has me inspired to start adding grounds and replacing my old ones. it does seem to idle a little smoother and the lights i think go up a little faster.
edit for i got mine from advance auto and it is just a small ground strap (like the one that goes to the decklid on the passenger side). should i have gotten a bigger one, does the size make a huge difference?[This message has been edited by Acesurfer (edited 11-01-2007).]
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