'73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

[Peter G.]

My '73 LS4 Coupe was judged off a the Regional of a missing ground strap on the driver's side of the car. Judge marked that I had one on the passenger's side of the car. I went to look for the missing ground strap or where it should be and was just confused. Looked for the one on the passenger's side and could not find that one either?

Can someone post a PIC of the needed group strap and where it goes so I can get it replaced and the issue resolved.

Thanks in advance.

[Harmon C.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

The ground on the drivers side is near #1 body mount.It's easy to see on a lift and harder to see on the judging field.

[Patrick H.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Here's an example - though note this is a small block 72. The ground strap is just left of center, and goes from the block to the frame horn that supports the passenger's side motor mount.

Your AIM should note if there should be one or two with your motor and where they should be.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Patrick, Nice photo of the passenger side -- without respect for the lack of fuel line.

On C3s there is a ground strap of more diminutive proportions between the chassis and body (metal bird cage) on the driver's side at the body mount under the windshield. This strap (pigtail might be a more appropriate desctiption) jumpers across the body mount at that point.

[Peter G.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Patrick..still not sure I see it? Is the strap in the PIC black like a battery cable? I thought is was brass braided?

[Terry M.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

The one on the passenger side (that Patrick pictured) is somewhat like a battery cable and connects the engine block (the bolt that attaches the front starter brace) to the chassis (below the engine mount).

The one I described above on the driver's side is a much smaller copper braided connection.

[Patrick H.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

No pictures of that copper one on any of my photos of either car.

[John H.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Photo below shows the braided birdcage ground strap on the driver's side; a screw and star washer attaches it to an existing hole in the #1 body mount frame bracket on one end, and the other end of the strap has a barbed push-on clip on the forward end of the steel birdcage sill.

[Peter G.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Thanks everyone for the info and pics.

I should have the Corvette on a lift next week so I can take a better look and resolve the issue of the missing ground strap.

[Peter G.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

I had my car on a lift recently and still did not see a driver's side ground strap. Yes, it maybe missing or I just can't see it.

I did have the opportunity to see the strap on another '73 Corvette which is a NCRS Duntov Award car. The strap on this car appeared to have round eyelets at BOTH ends of the cable was brass braided about only 1/4 of a inch wide. Also appeared to be about six inches in length.

The one pic here of a strap with the clip on the top to fit over an edge..I understood that strap to be for a Corvette Mid Year. A car a bit older than mine?

[Terry M.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

I had my car on a lift recently and still did not see a driver's side ground strap. Yes, it maybe missing or I just can't see it.

I did have the opportunity to see the strap on another '73 Corvette which is a NCRS Duntov Award car. The strap on this car appeared to have round eyelets at BOTH ends of the cable was brass braided about only 1/4 of a inch wide. Also appeared to be about six inches in length.

The one pic here of a strap with the clip on the top to fit over an edge..I understood that strap to be for a Corvette Mid Year. A car a bit older than mine?

That same ground strap, from the birdcage to the chassis, was installed on all 1968 to 1972 Corvettes. That brings it to within a year of your Corvette. Getting closer. You might consider basing your research on more than two 1973s.

[Peter G.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Terry, I agree. The more examples the better. Unfortunately, most '73 cars that I have looked at don't have the driver's side ground strap and many of the owners are also not up on such a small part that is hard to find even when you are looking for it?

The good examples of '73 that I know of on the NCRS system along with their owners are very good, but only one of those cars is in the Denver Metro Area.

Terry McCale's car is Kansas City and Bill Merken's car in New York. Maybe one or both of you car owners maybe like to shed some light on this part?

Of course Lyle in Ohio.

Thanks

[Jim R.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Pictures of pass side ground strap (large) and webbed small drivers side strap @ front drivers side body mount bolt from 1973 Duntov car

[Terry M.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Ryan,
Nice photos. I can see the word "copper ..." on the passenger side engine mount ground strap. The whole phrase will be "Copper clad aluminum." A type of wire (cable) used for battery cables, and obviously engine ground beginning in 1972.

I see one eyelet on the smaller birdcage ground strap. Perhaps there are two, which of course would be a slightly different configuration than the earlier (C2 & through 1972) one we see.

[Terry M.]

Re: '73 LS4 Ground Strap PIC?

Terry, I agree. The more examples the better. Unfortunately, most '73 cars that I have looked at don't have the driver's side ground strap and many of the owners are also not up on such a small part that is hard to find even when you are looking for it?

The good examples of '73 that I know of on the NCRS system along with their owners are very good, but only one of those cars is in the Denver Metro Area.

Terry McCale's car is Kansas City and Bill Merken's car in New York. Maybe one or both of you car owners maybe like to shed some light on this part?

Of course Lyle in Ohio.

Thanks

Pete,
Lyle should be able to provide many data points for 1973, if he has tracked this information.