The Dodge Challenger Message Board

After a long 18 months I'm well on my way to restoring my '73 Rallye. Although the engine bay has been painted and I've rebuilt the entire front suspension, I still have a long, long way to go. I've begun replacing all the engine bay components and I'm about 3 weeks away from installing the engine and transmission. I've posted more than a few questions on the site and for those who've helped (Dave), I thank you very much. With that said, after extensive research and viewing each of the pictures I snapped before I lifted the engine, I can't find anything in terms of where the negative battery leads should be placed. The shop manual has been very helpful but doesn't reference much in this area. Can anyone lend a hand with a picture or placement instructions? Thank you.

I suppose you are doing a totally original Resto? I just bolted mine to one of the radiator support holes (after cleaning the paint off the surfaces). I also found i had to run another earth lead from the -ve terminal straight to the engine (ex man bolt) as the engine would not get enough current from the earthing strap at the back. It made a world of difference. Here's some pics, you'll have to zoom up, looks like the BB has the lead going to the inlet manifold (and body) and the SB has it going to the water pump housing as well as body. BUt on a small blok i think they bolted them to the front of head

My battery is in the trunk these days and I cant remember how the cable was connected before I moved it.

Small blocks have them going to a bolt hole on the drivers side head.

I will take a picture tonight or tomorrow if I can.

That would be great if you could take a picture of where both leads go. Thank you very much!

Moparman1972 wrote:Small blocks have them going to a bolt hole on the drivers side head.

Yes I was looking at photos in a book last night and that seems to be the case.

My other smaller negative lead goes to a screw hole near the radiator support, though it is not one of the radiator support holes like Goldenblack440 mentioned. I am less sure if this is the normal position for the smaller lead on these cars.

Moparman1972 wrote:My other smaller negative lead goes to a screw hole near the radiator support, though it is not one of the radiator support holes like Goldenblack440 mentioned. I am less sure if this is the normal position for the smaller lead on these cars.

I don't think I have a picture of that area to post but I think that what you desribed is correct. I seem to remember a small self-tapping bolt with a star shaped lock washer in that area. I don't know if it screws into the radiator support or the inner fender. Probablly the radiator support.

I'll make a mental note to take pics of that area, on other cars, for my own reference during assembly.

That is exactly what it is. And it is a hole in the radiator support sheet metal, not the inner fender. Right above the hole for the forward light harness to pass through, I think.

On my 71 318, I had a huge negative cable running to the body (rad support, as i mentioned). I also had the flexi-strap from the firewall to the engine. But one day it just would not start, even with two fresh batteries in parallel. As soon as we ran a cable from battery -ve to the engine head, no problems! They certainly make a difference.

Thank's to all of you I've been able to map both of these leades to the engine and the body. I appreciate your help...very much.

No problemo - share and share alike.

I just reinstalled that cable on a friend's 70 340 Challenger this week after we swapped his engine and trans, on his cable, the small wire was incomplete (new neg battery cable supplied built with a short small wire and a butt connector crimped on it).

I added a short length of wire, an eyelet terminal to the small wire, and bolted it to the front light harness ground (which is already a round eyelet terminal bolted to the rad support).

I remember seeing it there on a number of cars, and it makes sense to have a straight connection back to the battery for what is obviously the second biggest power accessory in the car...

As described in these posts the neg. is also connected on my 70 340.