http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=anti-seize+electrical+conductivity&spel
l=1
The results indicate that many anti-sieze compounds have good electrical
conductivity. Often these compounds have a lot of metal in them, so this
makes sense to me.
To make the best ground connection using a bolt, I count on the mating of
flat conductive surfaces to each other. Clean the surface of the grounding
metal (body, head, etc.), really well. Same for the piece being bolted to
the grounding metal. I like to use anti-sieze on the threads sometimes, but
grease or oil is ok, too, as long as it is on the threads and not the flat
conducting surfaces. You can also use an internal lock washer (star washer)
to bite into both surfaces of the connection, as long as it is not a
high-current connection such as a starter. The high current will heat the
washer, it will lose some springiness, and the connection is now loose! Or
use the star washer between the bolt head and the connector, as long as it
is not the only path for high current.
The lubricant on the threads will make it easier to get a tight connection
with less torque needed, especially if the threads are corroded. Remember,
most lubricants will not prevent some metal-to metal contact between the
male and the female threads.
When I'm all done making the connection, I spray it with oil, rust
preventative, or best yet, a zinc-rich spray if the application permits. Go
to http://www.crcindustries.com/crcweb/ and search on the word zinc.
Hope this helps!
Ron A
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tim Marciniak
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 5:23 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Cleaning bad grounds
Having had some starting and idle problems with my van I am going through
and cleaning all the ground connections in the van. Does anyone have a sure
fire method for cleaning the threaded bolt holes were the ground screws go
in. I tried rolling up some emery cloth and just turing that in the hole
but i cant see that that works very well. maybe running a threading tap
might help but then there is the risk of crossing threads. Any got any
other methods.
Tim
1990 Multivan