Is the engine elctrical panel grounded?

[B Goode]

I'm getting down to the final stages of an extensive rebuild, and now I have electrical problems. My car is a '73.5 911T with CIS.

In the reassembly process, I found a really nice small ground strap that is about 10" long. I wasn't certain, but I thought that it was originally bolted to the electrical panel in the engine compartment - so figuring that it couldn't do any harm, I connected it back up that way.

One other important note - I am running a modern style alternator with internal regulator (bypassing my old regulator). There is a chance that I have this hooked up incorrectly.

So, last night I put a fresh battery in for the first time in three years and smoke start coming out of the back electrical panel. After I quickly unhooked the battery, I ran to the back and felt around to see what was hot. The ignition unit, old regulator, and relays were all cool. The only warm area was an unused connector that I have hanging free - and it now had smoke evidence on it.

From everything that I can find in my wiring diagrams, it appears that the connector in question was originally a speed switch only used on the E ans S models (not my T).

So, any ideas on where I should start to look for my problem? Also, is that panel supposed to be grounded?

Any advice will be appreciated.

[frogger]

Yes, it is supposed to be grounded.

[304065]

Yes, the braided ground strap is sandwiched between the back of the panel and the rubber isolators and also to the side of the car.

The speed switch pin #2 is power from the middle fuse on the console. That probably shorted against something.