My 82 z-28 has a double ground coming from the battery. The larger thick wire runs and it ground on the engine block. but theres also a much smaller gauge wire ran to the actual body of the car. Is this normal? No other car I've ever owned has had a second ground wire. Another problem with this wire is that when i went to jump start it since its sat forever the smaller wire started smoking so I stopped trying to start it and disconnected it all. Any help is greatly appreciated

There is always a double ground coming from a battery, but you sometimes just cant see the one attached to the body. So, YES it is supposed to be like that.

How did you hook up the wires to jump it? Any corrosion on the terminals of the battery? Do the wires leading to the battery look nasty? There are a few places to start.

even thought the second grounded wire was only like 18 gauge wire?

The wire was trash, I looked at it once i took it off an it was just horrible. The main ground wasnt making a great connection but i cleaned that one up nicely. I cleaned that up and reconected everything then junmped it again without that second ground an it started up just fine. Is the 2nd ground really necessary? Im planning on putting in a new one but i was just wondering

THE SECOND GROUND HELPS WITH LIGHTS AND SUCH. IF NOT HOOKED UP, IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE, THE LIGHTS MAY FLICKER. ALSO, WITH THE SECOND GROUND TO THE BODY, IT PROVIDES A GOOD GROUND FOR THE ENTIRE CAR SO THAT ALL THE OTHER GROUNDS WORK.

most cars have this, it just provides another source to ground. The whole chassis is ground so it doesnt matter if you have 2 or 10 of them.

I cant get to my car back in the states right now but I'd guess the secondary wire should be at least a 6 gauge wire. Try that.