CcanDo

Are there any benefits, ground strapping aluminum heads to the cast block ?

2112

Wouldn't your head studs do that?
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CcanDo

2112, your comment is well taken. However, NASCAR does it and if ground straps would create a tighter circuit the plugs, detonation, electrolysis and ignition electronics are considerations....We know there can be head chatter from time to time and whether there is chatter or not, the straps are easy and perhaps make a safer circuit.

2112

I was posing the question, not really trying to state the answer. I have spent an enormous amount of time grounding everything I can so I am a believer, I just never knew about strapping the head to the block.
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thunderusone

Great.....something else to go do to it...

fireboatpilot

Points well taken. I'm not sure that introducing yet another type of metal(copper) into the mix is a good idea. Given the salt water enviorment those grounding straps will get pretty ugly real fast. I know your not supposed to paint them. So for the slight, if any grounding benifit I will pass. On the other hand if Smashcar does it then it has to be right?

CcanDo

Copper is a good point.....so, the options that come to mind include tinned marine copper cable or heavy wall shrink tube ends covering a heavy shield conductor....maybe stainless is an option ? ......One thing about it, if unprotected copper were to show early corrosion one could assume there is definitely energy transfer present. Thus, supporting the earlier questions.

fireboatpilot

Copper wil show petina, corrosion in open fresh air. Salt air would be much worse. Shielded would work better, tinned cable and shrinked. Stainless is not as good a conductor. If your going to do it it should be done with the best material for the job.

Panther

I can't imagine the amount of head bolts/studs (16 per side), metal fire-rings on head gaskets (some are all steel like Cometic) in addition to the coolant fluid wouldn't provide enough continuity but that's just my opinon.

fireboatpilot

I agree but he seems insistant on doing it "AND" Nascar guy's do it! So if your gonna do it, do it right!