Topic: Mystery wire
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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My OCD is kicking in again. Can somebody tell me exactly where this black ground wire is grounded to. The wire is coming from the connection just behind the valve cover on the passenger side. The wire goes down the bell housing about half way. It is on 1980 L48 auto loaded. You know how the story goes my friend took it off and can't remember from where. He says it is a ground wire just ground it anywhere! My OCD says ignored has to go back exactly where it came from. Could somebody with a 1980 please check theirs and leg me know where it goes.
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Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
Not 100% sure, but it probably goes onto a bellhousing bolt. Seems I recall there one being there, unless it reaches down to the starter, then it could attach to one of the starter bolts ... but it has been a while since I have been under there.... if its the wire i'm thinking of, it is a ground wire for some of the dash lights/gauges...
StingrayJim 
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Doesn't appear from the pic to be long enough to reach to a bellhousing bolt, but if it will reach, it should be on the middle, or lower bolt of the bellhousing on that side.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Sounds like the bell housing is the number 1 answer. Makes sense because the mystery wire appeared when my friends pulled the engine so I could paint it. I thought the bell housing was a strange place to ground a wire. It does reach the middle bolt on the bell housing. The deal was I wasn't allowed to be around when the engine was pulled or put in. Thanks guys!! Greatly appreciated!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Redwoman said:The deal was I wasn't allowed to be around when the engine was pulled or put in.
What kind of sh....er...stuff is that? Had you been misbehavin or somethin? 
A loose ground like that can cause all sorts of weird problems...from stuff that don't work at all, to even overloading other grounds, and letting the smoke out of the wires.....not gud. Needs to be grounded, regardless of where you put it.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
It was grounded to the carb bolt. But my OCD new that wasn't the right place and it looked stupid. My buddy said it doesn't matter where it is grounded has long it is grounded. WRONG answer!!! I had repositioned it for the picture. It's all good now have it on the middle bolt of the bell housing.
I reviewed my post and realize I should clarify the ground wire I am talking about instead of assuming. The group with the two red wires and black wire coming out of the black and white connector attached to the firewall that runs thru the clip. That is the ground wire in question. Thank you for all the input.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
So....it's not the one laying across the back of the valve cover? 
Or is that the same wire? Either way, the black wire coming out of that connector would still be connected at one of the bellhousing bolts.
Or is that the same wire? Either way, the black wire coming out of that connector would still be connected at one of the bellhousing bolts.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
It is the same wire but looking at picture it looks like the wire is coming from the bottom instead of the top. I forgot to pull the wire out of the plastic casing up to the connector so it would show where it came from. Sorry! I Like the characters.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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