How Many Grounds?

I have found to never trust a ground thru aluminum. Once I had a Dart alternator stop working, and the problem was simply a bad ground thru the aluminum case to bracket. Another time, in my M-B, the speedometer cable started smoking when I cranked the engine. They ground the starter thru the aluminum tranny case and the strap connections had corroded, so the speedometer became the return path.

I really agree with all that about aluminum and magnesium. I play with older VW and Porsche, I have found even with using a heavy star washer and 10mm (about 3/8") bolt on a ground cable to a magnesium transmission case, it is possible to have an open connection. It is necessary to remove the invisible layer of anodization.