Battery Gound Wire(s) ?

[Tom Kelly]

Just got my 86 back from body and paint. Near perfect, Decided to change to a Delco Battery to finish the under the hood look. I never liked the bright red battery spoiling the original look. While changing I noticed that the small ground wire from the negative terminal was not attached to anything so when the new battery went in I grounded it to one of the bolts along the fender edge just under the hood line. So I got to wonder. What is the effect of that wire not being connected? And are there any other ground wires I should check out? Probably dumb questions but I appreciate any guidance.
Herein some pics of the finished product along with some examples of what you find underneath a seemingly good body when you take it apart.

 

[earlbrown]

That's a redundant body ground. It backs up the braided ground that runs to the firewall from the engine.

In the factory configuration, there's no grounds that run to the frame.

 

[Tom Kelly]

Thank you. That explains why nothing seemed amiss before and nothing seemed to change after I connected it. Backups however are always a good thing.
Thanks again.

 

[No disintegrations]

Yes they are good to have. If some how there was only one small path for current the wire can burn and melt causing a fire.

 

[earlbrown]

Yes they are good to have. If some how there was only one small path for current the wire can burn and melt causing a fire.

That would be called the throttle cable. And yes, it can melt when asked to be the body ground.