Hi Team,
I am working on the electrical side of the ute and want to make sure that UI get the earthing correct given 90% of electrical issues are earth related. I have waded through the forum and have identified that the engine earth is tinned and braided copper strap 15 3/4" (400mm) long and 3/4" (19-20mm). I have been unable to find the specification of the body earth; however, suspect it is the same width tinned and braided copper strap..
The questions I have are:
- Where does the engine earth connect to the motor?
- What are the dimensions of the body earth?
- Where does the body earth strap run from and to?
- I have a lead on a supplier for the tinned and braided coipper strap and the flat lugs; however, I can't find a supplier (as yet) for the battery clamp that can be fitted to the braided strap. Does anyone have a lead for a supplier?
Thanks in advance for your support.
Cheers n Beers
One additional question - if I may: the length and routing of the positive cable.
Cheers
Believe it or not, the body is 'earthed' thru the braided fuel line which runs from the body the the fuel pump on the driver's side of the engine.
AFIAK there is no other earth connection. On my cars I fit an extra earth cable from gearbox to body under the car unseen, this cures so many 12V issues.
The copper braid earth strap from battery to engine is available. I will check my car for the actual length.
dr terry
Quote from: Dr_Terry on January 13, 2026, 06:28:45 AM
Believe it or not, the body is 'earthed' thru the braided fuel line which runs from the body the the fuel pump on the driver's side of the engine.
AFIAK there is no other earth connection. On my cars I fit an extra earth cable from gearbox to body under the car unseen, this cures so many 12V issues.
The copper braid earth strap from battery to engine is available. I will check my car for the actual length.
dr terry
Thanks Dr Terry,
As my ute came in boxes I don't have a physical or mental reference to what goes where. The last FC I owned was around 1986 and I recall it having a strap from the back of the head to the firewall so that was my point of reference. I checked the wiring diagram and is shows and earth at the back of the head so when I consulted the master parts catalogue (FX-FC) and found reference and pictures to both straps I didn't dig any further.
Based on your response I dug into the Master Parts Catalogue and found that the engine ground was on the 48, 50 and FJ models and ommitted on FE or FC. I assume this was replaced, as you say, by the braided fuel line. I suspect that an additional body earth was added (same as the JX/FJ) at the back of the donk because the fuel line was not original, but a rubber hose clamped onto the old fuel line connectors at both ends. Probably a cheaper or quicker fix back then.
I expect the earth at the back of the head in the wiring diagram is a hangover from the FX/FJ wiring diagram.
I like the idea of earthing from the gearbox to the body and will follow your lead and will ensure I find a braided fuel line to keep the original eath path intact.
Cheers
This is the wiring diagram that led me down the garden path. Indicated in red is where the motor earth strap was on my last FC.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dDXvyRw9/Earth-Strap.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dDXvyRw9)
Craig,
It's wise to put a ground wire from the D- (aka ground) terminal on the generator to one of the mounting screws grounding the voltage regulator. FB/EKs had this wire, but FE/FCs didn't. Your electrical system will have much improved voltage regulation this way. If you put a ground strap between the engine block and the body, it'll do the same job.
Rob
Thanks Rob,
I'm all for practical improvements!
Craig..I have a roll of copper braided nickle plated 5/8" earth strap that I used on my FC ..from neg terminal on battery thru a guide on the clamp and then to head , bolt on thermo housing..terminal is type where a round earth cable is held in by a clamp ..I modified that to take braided strap and also soldered it as well as the clamp ..the square lug type terminals with the slot a dont have or seen in ages ..I can send you a image if you like to your phone ..and can give you piece of strap if you would like ...Vern ..