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A poor
ground circuit can be an invisible troublemaker on a Model A causing
intermittent electrical problems. Since the generator or alternator is
anchored to the engine, it is imperative that you have a good ground
circuit from the battery to the engine.
The grounding system on a Model A
starts at the battery. The battery ground cable is connected to the
center frame cross member. From there, the ground path runs along the
frame rails and through the front or rear springs. The front springs are
connected to the wishbone assembly, which provides a path to the clutch
housing and a good connection to the engine. The rear springs provide a
ground path through the differential housings, up through the torque
tube, across the transmission, and finally to the engine.
There are several spots along this
path that can interrupt the ground circuit and cause random,
intermittent electrical problems. Age, rust, grease, and mud build up on
the springs or other connecting hardware along the path will often disrupt
the ground circuit. Even freshly painted components can cause
trouble. The rear engine mounts do not
provide a good ground path because of the rubber pads that insulate them
from the frame. Float-A-Motors are even worse because they use rubber
donuts. There is a possible ground path along the gas line, to the gas tank, and
through the body bolts, but this path may also have a
lot of deterioration. So what is the solution?
There are two ways to make sure that
you have a good ground circuit on your Model A: (1) engine splash
pans or (2) install an extra ground cable. New Model A's came with
engine splash pans that provide an excellent ground path to the engine.
If you choose not to install the splash pans, then you should definitely
install an extra ground cable using one of the methods described below.
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