Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: plycuda]
#2779562
05/29/20 06:26 PM
05/29/20 06:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122
Auburn WA
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Softened water is any water that is un-distilled and then has salt (Sodium Chloride) and potassium added. Good for your laundry, not good for drinking.
Distilled water makes good coffee. But it should not be drank as a main water source due to the lack of minerals.
Tap water all depends on where its from and how its treated if at all. Well water may be full of good and bad.... Tap water from a Miniciple source can also be full of good and bad....
I have for the last 35+ years just added a 50/50 mix of distilled water and good ol GREEN stuff.
But with this 410 Stroker build I am installing an anode into the front and rear block drain plugs. There is enough room for a 0.90 inch long Zinc or Magnesium bar. I bought 5 of these for $20 and am just cutting them down to fit. The end I cut off can be threaded and used later so I really have 10 on hand. I will replace them every 2 years or so. See picture below
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Martyr-CME0-1-3-4-L-5-16-18-Thread-1-4-3-8-Dia-Plug-Engine-Pencil-Zinc-Anode/254316970289?hash=item3b36790131:g:~YAAAOSwZGFdQqeh
EDITED> The Ebay link for 5 pieces of these Anodes https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZINC-ANODE-PENCIL-WITH-PLUG-70-E00C-SIZE-1-4-X2-PLUG-1-8-NPT-5-PACK-MARINE-BOAT/184015710240?hash=item2ad830e820:g:O6sAAOSwF1dUPrmk
Last edited by Dave_J; 05/29/20 07:11 PM.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: Tig]
#2779587
05/29/20 07:40 PM
05/29/20 07:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,734 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,734
Bitopia
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Grounding both heads will help with electrolysis when it's running, you have a basic battery exchanging ions through the coolant due to the dissimilar metals in the heads and block. Adding an easier "path" for the electrons flow will help reduce the electrolysis effect on the head studs,head gasket fire rings etc and technically,you get a better spark. I run an earth from the batteries in the trunk to the block, the starter motor turns the engine over a lot easier. Sure it adds weight but your ignition system will thank you. EDIT: Some coolants also have corrosion inhibitors which will help also but not all drag strips like you to run anti freeze / summer coolant I am not sure how much current is or how long any current is actually running thru an Alum Head. as AndyF mentioned its effectively a bus bar, and I can't believe any current induced into the head connection "likes" the coolant instead of the massive amount of Alum to flow thru. I believe electrolysis occurs and is a concern rather independent of any typical grounding scheme, and I have yet to read anything that makes for a case otherwise.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: dvw]
#2779647
05/29/20 11:35 PM
05/29/20 11:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122
Auburn WA
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OK, going from the factory location up front I will ground using a 2 gauge cable to the front of the left cylinder head. But I also run a 10 gauge to the core support. Then from the backside of the right head I run a 6 gauge strap to the firewall at the voltage regulator. I also like to run a ground strap from the alternator to the block.
When running a rear battery I ground using a 1 gauge wire from the battery to the starter's lug on the block. I also run a 10 gauge to the rear frame rail and a third long 10 gauge up front to the core support. Same 6 gauge from right head to firewall.
With 45 years as a Telephone repair tech, Bonding and Grounding is VERY important. All connections should be clean. Then the nuts torqued to 40 Inch Pounds.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: jughed]
#2779655
05/30/20 12:22 AM
05/30/20 12:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122
Auburn WA
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With all of those bolts or studs clamping the heads down, how could there be any difference as to which is grounded?? When using an ohm meter on block and heads, I get zero ohms. Type of gasket material would make zero difference. It even shows a 0 ohms reading from block to oil pan sealed with a thick paper gasket and silicone. I've always ran a ground from frame to starter mount, and from frame to battery in trunk, Zero corrosion issues on the alum. heads. I think a better test than Ohms would be testing for Voltage Drop at each point. I'll bet there is some but very minor. Ohm drops (gains) would be in the 0.00010 Ohms and most digital 'Auto Ranging' VOM's will not see that.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: Dave_J]
#2779662
05/30/20 01:43 AM
05/30/20 01:43 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,315 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,315
Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 05/30/20 01:45 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: dvw]
#2779690
05/30/20 09:25 AM
05/30/20 09:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,734 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,734
Bitopia
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At FCA we have an EMC lab. They bombard new cars with radio waves and all types of electrical interference. All the new heads are aluminum, many aluminum blocks as well. But no corrosion issues. Working in the electrical lab I tell tell you that grounding is taken very seriously. I have yet to see grounded heads or a full ground cable from a rear mounted battery.???? Doug I don't doubt that observation one bit. However the reasoning behind it, vs what we are discussing, is I believe the modern OEM's to save wire costs, complexity, and by more effective design and attention to detail, have been able to produce a chassis/unibody that forms a nearly universal ground plane for everything electrical on the car. Our decades old cars did not have that consideration, and also suffer from a decent amount of weather induced corrosion, etc. I see an added ground directly from battery to engine as a huge preventative measure of future electrical gremlins in our old cars as we add more electrical components..
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Grounding to aluminum head?
[Re: Dave_J]
#2779711
05/30/20 11:53 AM
05/30/20 11:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 143 North America
kwikblownhemi
member
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 143
North America
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With all of those bolts or studs clamping the heads down, how could there be any difference as to which is grounded?? When using an ohm meter on block and heads, I get zero ohms. Type of gasket material would make zero difference. It even shows a 0 ohms reading from block to oil pan sealed with a thick paper gasket and silicone. I've always ran a ground from frame to starter mount, and from frame to battery in trunk, Zero corrosion issues on the alum. heads. I think a better test than Ohms would be testing for Voltage Drop at each point. I'll bet there is some but very minor. Ohm drops (gains) would be in the 0.00010 Ohms and most digital 'Auto Ranging' VOM's will not see that. Exactly.
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