How can I tell the original positive battery cable on my 69? I know that the battery end terminal has been changed. I think the rest of the cable may bee original. Mine has a woven dingy white covering that is part of the cable for a few inches above the starter. I cannot find any pictures of an original cable.

 

ttt

 

It depends on a couple of things, early 69 cars used top terminal post cables, the later cars used side mount cables. My car was made in mid July of 69 and had side mount cables. I thing the change occured somewhere in the 20XXX production numbers. I wish I could remember exactly when the change over took place. Ask Chuck Gongloff, if anyone knows it will be him.
I just replaced my positive cable and it is a real PITA to change out. You might as well plan on dropping your drive shaft. I can't imagine being able to get to the clips with it still in place.

 

Steve is quite correct in that the battery cable style was changed from a spring ring (for use with the top post R59 battery) to a screw in side terminal design (for use with the R79 battery) during the 1969 model year. If I remember correctly, the change started to occur around VIN 22,### which is more or less after production resumed after the strike. The side terminal cables for 1969 attached to the battery facing FORWARD and as a result there is very little room to work while attaching the cables. This was changed in 1970 (perhaps even VERY late 1969) so that the cables attached facing the rear of the car thus allowing a bit more room.

The fabric "sleeve" that you mentioned is a good sign that the cable is original; I'm not sure that the battery cable manufacturers are offering this. I know that I've seen it on several original 1969-1970 cars, but I don't know how long this practice was continued. Another item to check is the terminal end that attaches to the starter. This should have a locating tab to prevent the terminal from spinning when the retaining nut is torqued down. I know that as of a few years ago, none of the aftermarket manufacturers had incorporated this feature either (this terminal end CAN be installed by at least one company if you have your original). The terminal end at the battery (which was replaced on your cable) had a molded red (black for negative) covering for the terminal end with the Delco split circle logo.

I would imagine that you can make a pretty convincing replacement by using a reproduction with the correct Delco logo on the battery end and having your "sleeve" and an original terminal end with the locating tab installed.

Regards,

Stan Falenski



[Modified by Rowdy Rat, 11:08 AM 8/6/2001]