Classic/Antique Car Repair: Do i have a reverse ground 34?, flathead v8, neg terminal

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brad,
I have a 34 ford fully restored 4-door sedan. It has a 6volt system and a Flathead V8. In the past when i charged the battery I was surprised to see that the exposed braided line that I thought was going to ground went to the positive battery terminal (at least i think it was). I just pulled the battery and then got distracted for a while - now I cant say for sure if the exposed braided line was on the Pos or Neg battery terminal.

I followed the exposed braided line and it looks like it's bolted to the top of the transmission. The other shielded battery cable goes to the floor starter switch and then over to the starter. Now it would seem to me that this must be the pos cable, it's shield and goes to the starter switch and starter.

Is it possible that this is a reverse ground system? Is there any way of telling? To me, the shielded cable running to the starter switch and starter should be connected to the Pos battery terminal and the exposed cable which is bolted to the top of the transmission goes to the Neg terminal.

In short, I have a new 6 volt battery and am not sure which battery cable connects to the POS or NEG terminals.

Thanks,

Casey

ANSWER: Old Henry used POS ground on his cars, trucks, and tractors as long as they were six volt. When the switch to 12 volt came in 1956 he joined the rest of the crowd and went to NEG ground. So the POS terminal runs to the braided cable to ground.
Brad

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QUESTION: Hey Brad,

I have another question. I did not start my 34 ford for a few months - when i did try and start it had a varity of problems (no gas in the fueil line, carb not acting right, dead battery etc). I kind of rebuilt the carb and put a glass fuel filter in just before the carb so i watch the gas flow - now i can see that the filter looks merky and i can see some brown stuff in there. I'm going to replace the filter and try and run it again. Would you adivise pulling the plug on the tank to clean out?

Answer
That would be a fist step. If the problem comes back then pull the tank and use a sloshing compound that can be found in Hemmings Motor News, the old car hobby bible of classified ads, www.hemmings.com. This will seal the inside of the tank and preven rust and dirt from getting into the fuel lines.
Brad