Where does the ground strap attach on a late Mark 2?

 

It jumps the LHS Engine Mounting. Body to block. Adding an extra strap from body to transmission casing can be a good idea. If the front one gives in you don't damage your gearbox bearings & teeth by earthing via them.






One very tired engine mounting LHD car.

 

Thanks

 

I think that's my engine bay Glyn, sure looks like it anyway ?

 

Oh dear. I just snipped it off the internet and it was supposed to be an S Type. Same strap position as Mk2.

 

I was just in the process of detailing it, hence the mess.
It's not a priority, but I will replace the front engine mounts, thanks Glyn.
Priority is getting the Bentley back on the road before the weather turns.

 

Was there a change in location of the ground strap at some point? Are the earlier Mk2, the later 340 and the S-Type different? The above suggests that the ground strap should just bypass the motor mount (S-Type) picture shown. On Lim's valve chatter, the ground strap is shown on one of the top bell housing bolts on the LH side (Mk2). The caption for the picture states that that is the correct location.
I didn't take mine apart so I don't know where it was originally. (66 MK2 3.8, LHD, Auto),
If the Valve Chatter picture is correct, I assume there is a location somewhere on the chassis where the strap bolts up?

 

No change in location. I'm afraid it is one time Lin is wrong which is unusual ~ I'm going to look into it. Always front LHS engine mount from Mk1 to the final compact made according to every book I have. I would like to see a Service Manual that says otherwise.

This is a modification done by Lin. One of many on that car. He also has a non standard earthing strip/bracket elsewhere where he collects many circuit earths to make fault tracing easier which is a good idea.


Never came out of Browns Lane like this. Not a bad idea. Wonder where he terminates it. Probably a bolt through the body. I think multiple earths are a good idea as I say in post 2 above. He also moved his battery to the trunk/boot.


Note he has a disclaimer on his blog that you adopt his practices at your own peril. It is generally a very fine blog ~ mods & all.

 

Both of my MK2's had an earth strap in this location from gearbox to body when I bought them, there is even a captive nut on th 1967 car that they fix into on the bulkhead which can be seen from inside here above the tunnel next to the hole for the auto selector cable. The 1959 was just a nut and bolt.

 

Thanks for the correction Homer. Did it also have a strap jumping the LHS mounting as well like Jeff's car which is a 340 built in Browns Lane. Most of the Mk2's I've seen were South African built & all have had the strap jumping the LHS front mounting. I have never seen a Mk2/240/340 with an earth strap where Lin's is ~ they have all jumped the engine mount. I have a Mk2, 240, 340 Service Manual. I must take a look. Even the Mk1's I've seen jumped the engine mount. Every S Type I've seen jumps the engine mount.

 

Yes they did have a strap across the LH engine mount as well, I can't remember what my S-Type had as its so long ago but I assume it was the same.

 

Ah! ~ that makes sense. Double earth straps are a fine idea for the reasons I list above.

All the S Types I have seen & I had 3 only had the engine mount strap.

Now I only have the restored one in my signature. The other 2 have now sadly been crushed due to unfortunate circumstances that occured including a pretty good Mk2 shell.

 

Yeah. The S Type only had the one across the engine mount. I'm keen to mount a second one to the gearbox. Mine is brand new but the braided cables, although durable, don't stay new. They look grotty pretty quickly. I have a braided cable & proper helmet top & screw positive battery cable to the body for concours & helmet top to the starter solenoid insulated. But now that my car has been rated I intend a few mods like 15" Nardi woodrim steering wheel. I got my best in country and 100> points. I only ever wanted to do it once. This is no trailer queen & I want to drive it & have fun otherwise I don't want it. What's the point in sitting under a BRG cover in my garage.


S Type.

 

Anyway ~ at the end of all this:

Good advice is to have multiple earth points. You don't want earthing taking place via bearings, gears etc as it will damage them if you lose a single earth point.

 

Thanks to all for the input. I looked in my factory parts book last night and did (finally) find a reference to one earth strap, although it does not say where it goes. The next time I visit the body shell I will see if there is a captured nut for the bell housing to tunnel/firewall connection. Assuming it does, I will install both.

 

Wise decision as I say in post 2 of this thread.

 

I checked the earth straps on my Mk2 today. The one across the front, left hand engine mount is missing. It's slightly embarrassing as I regularly remind others in the series XJ subforum to double check them - an intermittent ground is a nightmare for electronics. Fortunately, the bell housing to bulkhead strap is in place.

It's possible the front one was lost when the clutch was replaced.

 

The body man sent me a picture clearly showing the welded nut (with bolt still installed) on the firewall for the ground connection. To be sure I will add the second connection around the motor mount. Thanks again for everyone's input!

 

Stay with that decision. Cass has just confirmed for me that his late S Type (67/68) also only has the single earth strap jumping the LHS front engine mounting. For those of us that examine our cars frequently that is more than adequate. But the belt & bracers (2 straps) approach is wise for the less interested in what's under the hood/bonnet. Most of us are used to the modern car. I don't open the bonnet on my Merc between services. It's a Coupe and even warns you if the motorised passenger front seat is not locked down & passes you the seat belt or a headlight washer nozzle needs cleaning.

Sorry ~ I had put this post in the wrong thread ~ now corrected. DH

 

My Mk2 parts book lists only one earth strap with no indication of where it attaches. Under engine removal, my Mk2 service manual says to disconnect the earth strap from clutch housing to body and doesn't mention any other. I can't find it in the S type manual either. I've a suspicion that the one across the front engine mount was a later addition to help/results from mechanics who forgot to attach the other one to the bell housing before refitting the engine.