42cady Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Hi, I just purchased a 1946 Cadillac that has all of the original electrical system. Is this system Postive ground? I have a 42 Caddy and know it is positive ground and would think a 46 would be the same but just not sure. Also it has a under the seat heater and I see that a heater pipe come out of the left side head and runs to the right side of the engine and the heater hose then runs form the pipe under the car to the heater and another hose runs from the water pump under the car to the under seat heater. If I want to just disconnect the heater for now I would think it would be ok to just run a hose from the cross over pipe to the heater for now. Please let me know if you think that would work ok? Thanks in advance. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry W Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I think that your very next purchase should be a factory shop manual for this vehicle. Search this forum for sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42cady Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Hi, That for sure will be my next purchase. I was just hoping to find out a little quicker to move the car. Thanks, Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry W Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) Usually the positive battery post is a little larger diameter. (I think). If the diameter of the clamp on the cable connected to ground is the same, then generally it would indicate that this would be a positive ground. The other cable of course, would match the diameter of the negative post. Double check this information on your '42 Caddy and other battery's. Don't do anything until you're absolutely sure. Remember the old saying "haste makes waste". Larry W DISREGARD THIS POST! Edited September 4, 2015 by Larry W (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 1946 was the first year for negative ground on a Cadillac.http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad46s.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry W Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) 1946 was the first year for negative ground on a Cadillac.http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad46s.htm. Beach, you are correct! I just googled battery specifications, 1946 Cadillac, and yes, '46 was the first year for negative ground. 42cady, just for the heck of it, examine the cable ends and see which one has the larger diameter. Edited September 4, 2015 by Larry W (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 You might also want to check to make sure you have the proper sized cables too. If you have cables that look like the ones used on 12 V cars you will most definitely need the larger ones since you need all the amperage you can get to the starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 You can cut out the heater by connecting the 2 hoses or just plug them. Makes no difference. In those days heaters were optional, if a car didn't come with one they plugged the holes at the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42cady Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Hi, Thanks, I just was not sure. Thanks again, Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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