Engine Earth Strap

[ajmac]

Where does the earth strap usually attach? I have mine from one of the starter bolts to the chassis, but I could do with the little steel strap that goes from the other starter bolt to an oil pan bolt. I lost that bit

 

[JayChicago]

Is this what you are referring to?

https://thirdgenauto.com/product/1932-53-ford-starter-to-oil-pan-reinforcement-bracket/

That is not an earth strap, is a structural support for front of starter motor.

An earth strap from the starter to an oil pan bolt serves no purpose. Your earth strap from engine to body is doing what you need for the electricity to get back to the battery.

 

[aussie merc]

That little bracket stops the starter flapping in the breeze so it really needs to be there

 

[petehoovie]

Is this what you are referring to?

https://thirdgenauto.com/product/1932-53-ford-starter-to-oil-pan-reinforcement-bracket/

That is not an earth strap, is a structural support for front of starter motor.

An earth strap from the starter to an oil pan bolt serves no purpose. Your earth strap from engine to body is doing what you need for the electricity to get back to the battery.

 

[ajmac]

That’s the thing. I know it is a support for the starter but linking the body of the starter over to the block will also offer a better earth path for the spark plugs and distributor as my only engine earth is that from the starter over to the frame. I’ll order one.

 

[Model51]

I thought this bracket was introduced to help prevent the starter's aluminum end plate from cracking when the production horsepower of the V8 engine increased. The other fix was to make the end plate about 3/8" thick instead of about 1" thick on earlier versions.

This is just speculation on my part as I don't have the Ford documentation to back this up but I've seen several of the thicker aluminum starter end plates cracked. Is my theory good, or am I just dreaming this up??