Ground cable to exhaust manifold?

[dibbons]

Just noticed that my 65 Formula S has the small ground strap from the engine to the firewall attached to an extra long stud that attaches the passenger exhaust manifold (on the stud nearest the firewall that penetrates the water jacket). Seems like too hot a place to put a ground cable. Was this factory installation or a previous owner's idea?

 

[ScampMike]

not factory - ground goes to block - probably not doing any harm where it is though

edit: oops, yea - to the head as mentioned below

 

[mguner]

Usually bolted to the back of a head. As good a conductor of heat copper is I would not leave it there. Not to mention the expansion and contraction associated with the hot and cold cycles that could cause a loose connection over time. My luck it would be in the dead of winter with a negative wind chill.

 

[64_Barracuda]

Surprised it doesn't corrode

 

[BillGrissom]

Ditto. Heat = corrosion. Plus, exhaust header nuts tend to loosen and the cable being there could make that worse.

 

[gregsdart]

Ditto to the negative posts. It needs to go directly to the block or head casting.