electrical wires (starter and grounds)

[Neejay]

My 240 has crank very slowly since I bought it. Well today I figured I'd check out the wires and stuff. To my shock, the wire coming from the starter to the battery had been TWISTED back together very sloppy with electrical tape around it (the wire that goes to the + battery terminal). So in order to replace it, what gauge wire do I need?

And also, the ground that goes from the intake manifold to the - battery terminal: I set it up so it goes directly from the manifold to the - terminal (without a ground in between, but I added another wire at the same bolt on the manifold that bolts down to the battery tray (kinda rusted though). Will that work alright? or do I need to run a cable directly from the - terminal to the chasis?

I hope that wasnt too confusing...

[NISTECH]

positive battery cable: Just order a whole new cable from the dealer. Not that expensive.

Neg cable. You need to have a ground going to the body as well as the engine. That ground provides a good ground for the control modules in the cabin of the car and most of your illumination.