Cleaning Grounds

[rodo]

Just about to start on the electrical part of my resto '81. To see how at least some grounds are, I unscrewed one of the multi-prong grounds in the engine compartment, the ones that mount on the sides, towards the fenders, just below the hood gasket. What I can't figure out is how this actually works. Not to be too stupid but I thought the multi-prong would be screwed up to bare metal. Is it the bolt that is the ground? All this matters as I'm not quite sure what to clean to improve the ground. Brush the bolt and...sand the inside of the bolt hole on the multi-prong?

[courtenay]

Yes, the bolt through the metal chassis of the car is the ground. The prongs are linked to the bolt. The important connections to clean (and add some dielectric grease) are the spade connections on the prongs.

[spider2081]

I believe there should be a Star washer between the grounding pod and the fender well. The star washers edges penetrates the painted surfaces when the nut is tightened.
I clean the paint from the immediate area of the stud, use a new star washer as the "stars" have a tendency to flatten and dull with use. I also apply copper anti-seize to the bare metal. this improves conduction and prevents corrosion.
On my car a previous owner replaced many of the spade connectors but used an improper crimper. I replaced all the wire spade terminals with ring terminals eliminating the grounding pods completely. I removed the paint, applied the copper anti-seize a new star washer and then the wire/ring terminals, a flat washer a lock washer and then the nut. I did this in 2003 50,000 miles ago and have experienced no ground issue since.

[TX82FIAT]

+1 on removing a little paint behind where the star connector is located and using dielectric grease or some other conductor. This is a good 3 to 5 year maintenance item. I have had no issues with electrical system in the last 9 years. Knocking on wood real hard right now!!!

[rodo]

Terrific advice everyone, thank you. I went at it this morning with a bit of sandpaper, my wire brush, and popped it all back together with the electric grease. Now I only have left...every other electrical part on the car, suspension bushings, brakes, fuel injectors, seals, the entire interior...