1969 Chevrolet Impala Starting Issues

[STEVE POLLARD]

Question: a friend of mine out in Nevada, has the same make and model year Impala like I have, Custom Coupe with a small block. A few months back, he went to start up the Impala and it would crank over, but then smoke started coming up from the negative battery cable. He asked if I had ever experience the same issue with my Impalas and told him no. 

 

Would this be a grounding issue from the firewall to the engine,  a starter issue or something else ?

 

Any help would be appreciate it!

 

Steve

[Bloo]

Clean or replace the negative battery cable. The spot that is getting hot has high resistance.

[mobileparts]

Also , check the ground strap, at the back of the block, and either wire brush it clean or replace....

 

Additionally,  at some point, for you and your friend, a good idea is to make sure you get a

( part # ) 3510 --- which is a High Torque starter to replace your ( part # ) 3508 Medium Torque Starter...

It will start your cars much more efficiently.....

[rocketraider]

I think I remember these cars having a ground strap from (-) battery terminal to the fender, with a star washer under the fender end screw. Check and clean the fender connection too.

[dodge28]

Any loose or dirty connection will get warm to hot. Clean and retighten all wire/cables. There is a black wire from the headlight socket . It is grounded to the fender. Clean that and the head light will get brighter,