'65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

[Wayne M.]

Interesting thread (link below) on '67 braided ground strap attatchment to accelerator (firewall) lever. Apparently, the '67 AIM shows a washer being used (# 138489), although the '65 & '66 AIMs show no such washer -- see catalog pic below, which confirms that this lock washer is an external tooth (star) washer, and that the star washer # 121753 was used in 1965 or earlier on OTHER ground strap locations.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?p=429103&uid=4455

Now here's the problem: the '65 TIM&JG calls for an external-tooth washer attaching the strap to the lever (unclear as to whether on the bolt side of the strap, or the lever side -- although the latter is standard practice on other U69 ground strap locations).

Three of the following pics show a 396 accel lever that I pulled off a junkyard Corvette missing its front clip, in the early '90s. The strap bolt was on this item, but no sign of the eyelet of the ground strap, nor sign of teeth marks of a star washer on the lever or on the underside of the bolt, which agrees with the AIM.

As I'm limited to 4 pics per post, I'll post again, showing another 3 shots; 2 of my unrestored late 396 and one of my early '65 (014xx) L76, again showing NO marks of a star washer.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

OK - here's the other 3 pics I promised above; first two of my late 396; the last of my early '65 L76 (014xx). No sign of there ever having been a star washer installed.

I might add that the faint pattern of where the ground strap eyelet used to be (sometime prior to 1988, when I bought the 396 car) points to somewhat forward and slightly down, which was Doug Lee's original question.

[Loren L.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Okay, Midkiff. You're getting to be a big burden on the '65 Judging Team. (For those of you who are PC, Wayne and I have communicated in this manner for perhaps longer than you have been members - relax.)

[Tim S.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Wayne,

I have a 65 L84 that is totally original (5 Star Bowtie). My arm (and strap) are undisturbed and have no washer nor any evidence of one. This year, I had been nicked a Bloomington for it. Due to the fact the car showed no signs of tampering, I am going to leave it. For whatever it is worth, my car is #8160.

Tim

[Michael H.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

OK - here's the other 3 pics I promised above; first two of my late 396; the last of my early '65 L76 (014xx). No sign of there ever having been a star washer installed.

I might add that the faint pattern of where the ground strap eyelet used to be (sometime prior to 1988, when I bought the 396 car) points to somewhat forward and slightly down, which was Doug Lee's original question.

Wayne,

I think 67 was the first year that the AIM's called for a washer for the accl lever ground strap.
I know none are shown in the AIM's for 63, 64 and 66 and I don't think any were used, although the 63-64 JG calls for one in that location

Typically, a star washer is used on these straps when attached to any surface that has been painted, such as the frame.

I don't know why a star washer was used on the accl lever for 67 and I don't know why it's a different part number than the other ground strap washers on 67.

[Timothy B.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

This is a picture of the ground strap bolt off my 67, 300HP car. The washer is attached (fixed) and the bolt is a different part # than other years. My 63 never had a star washer and I assume it's because the surface is plated so no need.

This bolt looks like it had never been out before me and it's the same as the top shield bolt. There is a post from some time ago and another member confirmed the same bolt on the top shield.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=65150

[William C.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

I believe that this issue was discussed at length during the writing of the to-be released '66 judging manual and the consensus was that no star washer was used. I expect the '65 JG when will revised at some point in the future will also catch up. I also have several throttle arms none of which shaow any evidence of a star washer being used.

[Ridge K.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Wayne, I can't address the issue concerning 1965 396 Corvettes, but I can confirm that my 46,000 mile L68 400hp '67 has the star washer (as Mike said).
Attached is a pic of the accelerator lever in "as-found" condition after 29 years of barn storage. The actual grounding strap appears to have been broken off, yet the original bolt and star washer is behind the metal mounting loop of that grounding strap.
My guess is that the grounding strap was simply broken off during the first three years of my Corvette's life, as it was on a dragstrip those first three years.
Ridge

[Ridge K.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Here's a pic of a NOS GM service replacement part purchased for a '67 427 435hp car, from back in the early 1970s. It appears to be cad plated.
Regrettably, the original GM parts number sticker fell of many decades ago.
I posted it.. in case any reader of this thread was interested. Years ago, I was dealing in NOS GM parts. This particular lever is one of the toughest big block Corvette parts to find in NOS condition. I've seen two or three in the last 35 years.
Ridge.

[William C.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Ridge, does that have a letter code stamped into it, and if so what is the letter?

[Ridge K.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Ridge, does that have a letter code stamped into it, and if so what is the letter?

Bill, I studied it from end to end with a magnifying glass, and do see two areas which appear to have faint stamping, but just cannot make them out with certainty. Near the lower end, where it would mount near the firewall, there may be two faint letters stamped. It looks like "f J", with the f being small case. But,....this is mostly a guess, as it is way too faint.

Then about and inch or so higher, it appears to have a very, very faint series of six numbers stamped, which could be a part number. They are soooooo faint, this may partially be my mind playing tricks.
I even lightly went over the part with Flitz non-abrasive metal cleaner/polish, to remove some of the decades of oxidation, and leftover sticker glue residue. Still no luck.
Both sides of the part has some tooling marks, that resemble the look of broach marks on a cylinder block pad. I'm not metal finish expert, but now that I cleaned on the oxidation, it looks like the finish is clear zinc.
Wish I could be more helpful, but that's the best I could make out. I would try close-up photos for you, but I'm quite sure that the camera couldn't pick up the detail, that I can't read with a magnifying glass.
Ridge

[John H.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

This is a picture of the ground strap bolt off my 67, 300HP car. The washer is attached (fixed) and the bolt is a different part # than other years. My 63 never had a star washer and I assume it's because the surface is plated so no need.

This bolt looks like it had never been out before me and it's the same as the top shield bolt. There is a post from some time ago and another member confirmed the same bolt on the top shield.

Did a little research on this issue. The washer (#138489) shown in U69, sheet A3 between the ground strap eyelet and the accelerator lever appears to be an error in the 1967 Assembly Manual; that same part number is used in four other locations on the car, all of which are 3/8" split lockwashers (battery cable to solenoid, alternator bracket to exhaust manifold, etc.). Ground connections typically use external star washers, like the #121753 used at all the other radio ground locations.

Also, the #106962 screw that attaches the ground strap to the '67 accelerator lever is different than the one used on the top ignition shield, although both are 1/4"-20 - the one for the top shield is #433553 screw assembly, which has an indented hex head and a captured external-tooth star washer. The ground strap-to-accelerator lever is the only usage of the #106962 screw on the whole car.

After umpteen years in Chevrolet assembly plants, I can state with some certainty that loose star washers at ground screws were frequently left off (or put on the wrong side of the ground strap) because they were a PIA to install correctly.

The '63-4-5-6 A.I.M.'s all show the same screw (#448645) and no washer, and there was a running change in '66 to the #106962 screw, also with no washer. Then in '67 the washer was added, although the part number in the A.I.M. is incorrect (should be #121753).

[Mike M.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Hi John
Theoretical question.....what if.....
the '63-6 accel ground screw actually had the captured "star" washer supplied as an assembly, wouldn't that washer be omitted from the AIM schematic?
Then, to increse the grounding capability for '67, it was moved to the position between the strap and lever as a separate component would then require the "Star" washer to be included in the drawing?
HaND

[Art A.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

Hi John
Theoretical question.....what if.....
the '63-6 accel ground screw actually had the captured "star" washer supplied as an assembly, wouldn't that washer be omitted from the AIM schematic?
Then, to increse the grounding capability for '67, it was moved to the position between the strap and lever as a separate component would then require the "Star" washer to be included in the drawing?
HaND

I can answer your theoretical questions, yes to both.

[Alan D.]

Re: '65 ground strap at firewall accelerator lever

From JH
"After umpteen years in Chevrolet assembly plants, I can state with some certainty that loose star washers at ground screws were frequently left off (or put on the wrong side of the ground strap) because they were a PIA to install correctly."
And that's what I just found on the drivers side front body mounting ground strap, NO star washer.

OHhh - no star washer on accel link either OR any marks of one being there.
Comments from a Mar64, so I feel the AIM is correct - no washer.