Author Topic: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?  (Read 1123 times)

b3nny

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 348
    • My TA
sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« on: April 26, 2021, 05:07:30 PM »
hi guys i would search but ... gone
the grounding strap for my 80 ta from under the car. is it under the passenger subframe to tranny? Any one give me tips or specifically where this strap goes. i have what i think is the old stap and it seems to want to bend to a spot on the passenger floor to the exhaust bolt? but i heard it goes to the tranny bolt to a subframe. hoping for something specific.

thanks!!
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

5th T/A

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1384
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2021, 05:32:38 PM »
I am going from memory, as I am currently on the road and can’t check my car or assembly manual. I believe it goes to the middle bell housing bolt on the right side to the floor. I know that it absolutely does not attach to an exhaust manifold. If no one replies first, I will verify when back in town Wednesday evening.
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

b3nny

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 348
    • My TA
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2021, 05:36:54 PM »
thank you i see where it goes in the floor i think i found a diagram, just not sure on the to the trans or bell housing part. i will try now and report back. Thanks very much!

*Edit yeah found a diagram here https://www.flickr.com/photos/53057445@N08/49753633537/ showing where it goes on fbodys right beside the oilfilter on the transmission. The problem is i can only fit one finger in there lol. Not sure how this is going to happen. If i unbolt the manifold from the exhause maybe i can do it?
« Last Edit: April 26, 2021, 08:40:49 PM by b3nny »
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

pancho400cid

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1344
  • Viva los PONCHOS!
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2021, 11:12:48 AM »
Sorry I'm just replying to this... Trying to post more when I have actual useable info in the name of getting the site back up and running.

I made a note when I pulled the ground cable on my 78 Trans Am with 400.  The cable you are asking about is really more about grounding the chassis to the engine.  Per the duct tape tag I left for myself the cable bolts to the chassis (circled area in pic) and to the bellhousing bolt near the oil filter on a 400 Pontiac.  Not sure what engine you have, but hopefully the grounding the same/similar.  I'm "fairly" sure a 301 would have the same bellhousing bolts and presumably same ground cable.  Hope that helps.

78 Firebird TA Chassis ground by Pancho 400CID, on Flickr
1978 Trans Am - Chesterfield Brown - current project
1978 Trans Am - Silver - SOLD!

NOT A TA

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3705
    • Laboratory Fourteen
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2021, 02:45:08 PM »
The '80 models had one from the body to sub frame on the drivers side IIRC.
John Paige
Lab-14.com

Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2021, 02:45:08 PM »

pancho400cid

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1344
  • Viva los PONCHOS!
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2021, 04:18:49 PM »
I should add that the pic in my post above is on the passenger side.
1978 Trans Am - Chesterfield Brown - current project
1978 Trans Am - Silver - SOLD!

b3nny

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 348
    • My TA
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2021, 09:43:24 PM »
Yes i can see (olds 403) that my strap is the same as in your photo, my question is how do i fit my hand up there and actually thread a bolt on. I can only get a finger in there.
1980 Turbo TA (Olds 403)
My TA

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2220
Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2021, 03:18:55 AM »
A few more ground cable pics. This one on the driver's side uses the WS6 bar mount. Note the speedo cable bracket on the chassis rail to keep off exhaust.

Firebird WS6 brace bars subframe ground cable speedo brackets by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

The ground cable mounting stud half way up the firewall.

Redundant Ground bolt location by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Re: sorry for the basic question - ground strap?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2021, 03:18:55 AM »
You can help support TAC!