Topic: Battery Cable
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Former Member
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Portland, TN - USA
Joined: 4/29/2003
Posts: 805
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe
Anything, but Stock and more mods to come!
SSBC Force 10 Brakes, 3.73, TH350, 355 CID, Rack and Pinion, Vette Brakes suspension front and rear.
How I saved a bunch of money. First off I know this is not factory correct, but no one is ever going to see it and I don't get tore up on everything being correct.
I thought I was going to need a new battery cable because both ends were in very bad shape. The PO had installed a bolt on style side post on one end replacing the piece that would have come from the factory. Expecting the rest of the cable to in the same disarray, I removed the cable to inspect. What a pain that was.
I cleand the cable in the parts washer then wiped it down with Acetone to remove any oil or residue from the parts cleaner. Looking for cracks I couldn't find any. Cable was good, ends were bad. So I just couldn't justify spending $60 on a new factory correct cable.
I called everywhere trying to find a place that could do a new crimp on style side mount cable end. No such thing. Even the auto electric places said there was no piece avaible. They said its weird that GM uses sideposts in most of their applications, but no one offers a replacement crimp on piece. Just an FYI encase you wanted to know.
So I went to my local Batteries plus to see what other options might be available. Turns out you can get a top style battery post that will screw into the terminals on a side mount battery. This will allow me to use a top mount style battery cable end on my side mount battery.
So I had them trim the very minimum off the bad ends of my cable and crimp on a new top mount battery post clamp and a new eyelet for the starter end with shrink on both ends. Walked out spending only $10.78. Now I have what looks like a somewhat factory cable with crimped ends.
Now me and my wallet are much happier.
I thought I was going to need a new battery cable because both ends were in very bad shape. The PO had installed a bolt on style side post on one end replacing the piece that would have come from the factory. Expecting the rest of the cable to in the same disarray, I removed the cable to inspect. What a pain that was.
I cleand the cable in the parts washer then wiped it down with Acetone to remove any oil or residue from the parts cleaner. Looking for cracks I couldn't find any. Cable was good, ends were bad. So I just couldn't justify spending $60 on a new factory correct cable.
I called everywhere trying to find a place that could do a new crimp on style side mount cable end. No such thing. Even the auto electric places said there was no piece avaible. They said its weird that GM uses sideposts in most of their applications, but no one offers a replacement crimp on piece. Just an FYI encase you wanted to know.
So I went to my local Batteries plus to see what other options might be available. Turns out you can get a top style battery post that will screw into the terminals on a side mount battery. This will allow me to use a top mount style battery cable end on my side mount battery.
So I had them trim the very minimum off the bad ends of my cable and crimp on a new top mount battery post clamp and a new eyelet for the starter end with shrink on both ends. Walked out spending only $10.78. Now I have what looks like a somewhat factory cable with crimped ends.


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I am guessing this was the positive cable. Those are a paint to get out for sure. Good tip that saved lots of money. BTW, how long is that positive cable and does it say what gauge the wire is?
Former Member
Send PM
Portland, TN - USA
Joined: 4/29/2003
Posts: 805
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe
Anything, but Stock and more mods to come!
SSBC Force 10 Brakes, 3.73, TH350, 355 CID, Rack and Pinion, Vette Brakes suspension front and rear.
Yes positive Cable. Real Pain. Don't remember how long I haven't put it back in so I can measure it for you. It was 00 Gauge.

Former Member
Send PM
Portland, TN - USA
Joined: 4/29/2003
Posts: 805
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe
Anything, but Stock and more mods to come!
SSBC Force 10 Brakes, 3.73, TH350, 355 CID, Rack and Pinion, Vette Brakes suspension front and rear.
FYI overall length is 7'

in Forum: C3 Electrical
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