Ground strap, Replace ot not??? Options

[EJP914]

It doesn't look like the braided strap attached to the top of the transaxle has ever been replaced on my car. I thought about removing it, cleaning and reinstalling. Will anything bad happen if I just leave it alone, as-is? Will the car start any quicker if it is replaced? Right now it struggles, spins slowly, then will catch and fire up.
Car is '74 1.8. Thx in advance for the advice.
EJP914

[bbrock]

I say clean it and test it with an ohmmeter. If it has zero resistance between the terminals, it is doing its job. Corrosion and crud at the contacts between the strap and chassis or tranny is the more likely problem. Why throw away a perfectly good part?

[Tbrown4x4]

I say clean it and test it with an ohmmeter. If it has zero resistance between the terminals, it is doing its job. Corrosion and crud at the contacts between the strap and chassis or tranny is the more likely problem. Why throw away a perfectly good part?

One good strand can give you 0 Ohms resistance. That doesn't tell you how well the ground strap is flowing current under load.

If you're already under the car with your meter, take a socket with you and change the ground strap. What kills us old guys is going under the car and climbing back up over and over. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)