Got it tightened up, need a more permanent fix. The nut backed off despite the lock washer. It loosened up over the years. I always disconnect the ground when the van is parked for any length of time.
The most frustrating part has been removal and now reinsertion of the battery itself. Now I have the dang thing back in partially!
Thanks for all the help.
Cheers,Phil '89 Westy
> Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:31:58 -0400
> From: pbwitz@SBCGLOBAL.NET
> Subject: Re: Battery Compartment ground cable; Was: Dead (almost) in the              garage
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I am sure on my 84 they used a nut insert on the body I thought it was
> looking pretty dreadful as far as a good ground from the main starting
> source. I cut it off. Cleaned it all up. added a new ground from Battery,
> and ran a #5 wire from to the lower starter bolt. So far so good. I have
> bright lights and it is starting all the time. I also ran a large wire
> from the positive post to the starter.
>  Bill Witz 84 Westy Adventures in Entropy