Hi everybody, will the stock timing cover of a 389 suffice as a battery ground??? I think its cast iron (?) Why am I asking this question? well I bought new steel braided battery cables, & the ground won't fit the new head bolts- too small. So, I was wondering about the timing cover, on the "foot" in the lower corner... thanks for other suggestions too!!

Hi everybody, will the stock timing cover of a 389 suffice as a battery ground??? I think its cast iron (?) Why am I asking this question? well I bought new steel braided battery cables, & the ground won't fit the new head bolts- too small. So, I was wondering about the timing cover, on the "foot" in the lower corner... thanks for other suggestions too!!

I would try grounding it to the front of the head, where the accessory bolt holes are.

You could also use a header bolt. I would not ground it to the front cover.

My wiring Guru recommends connecting the ground cable directly to one of the starter mounting bolts.

Play400 - If he already has a braided wire made up it will be too short.

66Bronze - Are you trying to attach it to a head bolt with a stud on it? If so, and if it won't fit there, then the suggestions made above also will not work. You will have to open up the hole in the terminal, or get the wire re-terminated.

Isn't the front cover aluminum?
If so, do not ground there as it will produce / accelerate electrolisis between the differing base metals.
As mentioned above ground to the heads or block.

OMT- Thanks, I'll put it on the header bolt. I shyed away from that because I thought the heat there would compromise a good ground, but I always look for your posts & if you say it'll work, that's good enough for me. Yea, the cable is way too short to reach the starter. Enlarging the terminal-end is not an option, because there's not enough material. The original ground was on a stud, but replaced all round with bolts- the car won't be seriously raced & the heads won't be coming off often (I hope!) Thanks again guys