This is my first post on TGO. I have a 90 formula w/ 305 tpi. I just bought it four months ago and have been having fun with it since. When I changed the cap and rotor on the distributor I noticed a braided copper ground about 3/16 to 1/4 in. wide. It comes off the fire wall and is cut(almost looks melted) in half. I cannot see the other half of the wire nor where it goes. I need to know what this is a ground for, and if it needs to be replaced with "braided copper wire", or if I could just use some very heavy gauge wire. Any help of course would be greatly appreciated.


I would also like to say how grateful I am that such a website exsists. The advice I have seen on the boards and in the archives has helped me many times. So thank you to the moderators and anyone else who should be recognized.:hail: :hail: TGO

 

sounds like maybe an engine ground..

 

it should go to a bolt on the back of the cylinder head, you can replace it with standard wire

 

Just make sure it's heavy gauge multi-strand wire.

Otherwise, just go into a parts store and ask for a "ground strap". That thing going bad can cause all kinds of wacky problems, including slow cranking and hard starts.

 

Thanks a lot. I've had trouble diagnosing a hard start problem and that could be it. I will go today to get a ground strap and I'll post the results. Thanks again.

 

I fixed the ground last night. It not only cured my hard start problem, it also helped (a lot) with a rough idle when hot problem I was having. It's a twenty minute drive to work and this morning there was a twenty min. traffic jam , and it was warm this morning(I live in FL ). The car got to peak temps and still did not idle rough. I was &*%$# thrilled.

 

 

yeah thats great!!