Recently, there was a discussion regarding C3 battery fitment. As a side issue, there was a little discussion about the battery clamps. Here's some information I didn't have time to post previously regarding the 1967 (without C-60) and all 68-82 battery clamps.
The clamp used in PRODUCTION and available in SERVICE for 1967 (without C-60)and all 1968 through 1971 was GM #3887598. This clamp is of material thickness 0.065". It has 2 reinforcing "indentions" on the edge which articulates with the battery. The opposite edge has a very shallow "lip". The original example that I have is dip-painted semi-gloss black and I expect that this was a specification for the part.
For 1972 through 1982 Corvettes, as well as SERVICE for 1967-71 Corvettes after January, 1973, the clamp used was GM #6270159. This clamp is similar to the above but differs in some easily discerned ways. First, it is thicker at 0.077". Second, the reinforcing "indentions" are gone (probably due to the thicker material). Last, the general configuration of the cross section of the piece is different with, especially, the rear edge having a much more pronounced "lip". This piece was black-phosphate finished, although I don't know if that was the exclusive finish used.
There was also a SERVICE-only clamp (SERVICE-only for Corvettes but PRODUCTION for some other GM cars) used from the time the GM #3887588 was discontinued from SERVICE in January, 1970 until the GM #6270159 came along in January, 1973. That clamp was GM #1383273. It was a Buick piece which somehow found its way into use for Chevrolet SERVICE for a few years. I know nothing about it or why it was used for Chevrolet SERVICE.
Below and following are a few comparative photos:
The clamp used in PRODUCTION and available in SERVICE for 1967 (without C-60)and all 1968 through 1971 was GM #3887598. This clamp is of material thickness 0.065". It has 2 reinforcing "indentions" on the edge which articulates with the battery. The opposite edge has a very shallow "lip". The original example that I have is dip-painted semi-gloss black and I expect that this was a specification for the part.
For 1972 through 1982 Corvettes, as well as SERVICE for 1967-71 Corvettes after January, 1973, the clamp used was GM #6270159. This clamp is similar to the above but differs in some easily discerned ways. First, it is thicker at 0.077". Second, the reinforcing "indentions" are gone (probably due to the thicker material). Last, the general configuration of the cross section of the piece is different with, especially, the rear edge having a much more pronounced "lip". This piece was black-phosphate finished, although I don't know if that was the exclusive finish used.
There was also a SERVICE-only clamp (SERVICE-only for Corvettes but PRODUCTION for some other GM cars) used from the time the GM #3887588 was discontinued from SERVICE in January, 1970 until the GM #6270159 came along in January, 1973. That clamp was GM #1383273. It was a Buick piece which somehow found its way into use for Chevrolet SERVICE for a few years. I know nothing about it or why it was used for Chevrolet SERVICE.
Below and following are a few comparative photos:
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