Positive Battery Cable

[Jim T.]

I am replacing the postive battery cable on my 68 with a new one. I have two brackets off the studs behind the transmission and its disconnected from the starter, the bracket to the bell housing disconnected, and the two brackets up in the tunnel rearward of the bell housing bracket are disconnected. It feels like there is one more connection that is not visable because of the tunnel insulation.
I have looked in the service manual and did not find any information on the number of brackets on this battery cable.
Would appreciate information on this cable replacement. I don't want to remove the 4-speed to remove the battery cable.

[Joe L.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Jim------

Unfortunately, there exist at least 2 clips for the positive battery cable which "reside" under the transmission tunnel insulator. Consequently, I don't think that it's possible to remove and replace the battery cable without removal of the insulation. Unfortunately again, I don't think that it's possible to remove the insulation without first removing the transmission. As often occurs, one thing leads to another.

However, I've never actually done this job so someone who has would be a better source of info on the "real world" repair. In fact, I hope that it is possible to do this without transmission removal; after all, I may have to do it someday.

[Joe L.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Jim------

Unfortunately, there exist at least 2 clips for the positive battery cable which "reside" under the transmission tunnel insulator. Consequently, I don't think that it's possible to remove and replace the battery cable without removal of the insulation. Unfortunately again, I don't think that it's possible to remove the insulation without first removing the transmission. As often occurs, one thing leads to another.

However, I've never actually done this job so someone who has would be a better source of info on the "real world" repair. In fact, I hope that it is possible to do this without transmission removal; after all, I may have to do it someday.

[Jack H.]

Hatred!

Replacing the + battery cable is a DOG job, Joe. The guys at the shop sudder when it's needed especially on a concours car. Plus, customer RARELY understand the cost--hey! it's just a battery cable, what do you mean drop the tranny and while we're there how about a cluch job....

There are a few 'rate buster' mechanics who can wiggle and snake the old battery cable out IF they sacrifice the tranny tunnel blanket. There's even a smaller universe of guys out there who can 'sniggle' a replacement tunnel blanket up/over the transmission.

BUT, there's nobody who can route the replacement battery cable through the factory crimps and get the replacement trans tunnel blanket PROPERLY installed without dropping the tranny! THEN, you have to ask yourself if it's worth ripping an original '68-69 large surface area trans tunnel blanket--where are you going to find a correct orignal replacement?

The suggestion I gave to other customers was to consider themselves 'fortunate' the battery cable replacement put them ahead of the power curve on a high quality clutch R&R job! Unfortunately, there's no alternative IF you want to do the job right, in factory concours style....

[Jack H.]

Hatred!

Replacing the + battery cable is a DOG job, Joe. The guys at the shop sudder when it's needed especially on a concours car. Plus, customer RARELY understand the cost--hey! it's just a battery cable, what do you mean drop the tranny and while we're there how about a cluch job....

There are a few 'rate buster' mechanics who can wiggle and snake the old battery cable out IF they sacrifice the tranny tunnel blanket. There's even a smaller universe of guys out there who can 'sniggle' a replacement tunnel blanket up/over the transmission.

BUT, there's nobody who can route the replacement battery cable through the factory crimps and get the replacement trans tunnel blanket PROPERLY installed without dropping the tranny! THEN, you have to ask yourself if it's worth ripping an original '68-69 large surface area trans tunnel blanket--where are you going to find a correct orignal replacement?

The suggestion I gave to other customers was to consider themselves 'fortunate' the battery cable replacement put them ahead of the power curve on a high quality clutch R&R job! Unfortunately, there's no alternative IF you want to do the job right, in factory concours style....

[Daniel S.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Jim,
I ran into the exact situation last summer on my '68 BB. After researching everything and making some phone calls, I decided this was a job better suited to someone who has done it before, therefore I opted not to perform this job myself.
I did however find someone(Local Vette Shop) who was able to do this without dropping the trans or causing any major damage to the trans heat blanket.He did have to drop the drive shaft though. He had to make a small slice in the blanket were the cable exists to go to the starter which with a little DEI Cool Tape(silver heat reflective tape), its very hard to tell that anything was done.

Dan

[Daniel S.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Jim,
I ran into the exact situation last summer on my '68 BB. After researching everything and making some phone calls, I decided this was a job better suited to someone who has done it before, therefore I opted not to perform this job myself.
I did however find someone(Local Vette Shop) who was able to do this without dropping the trans or causing any major damage to the trans heat blanket.He did have to drop the drive shaft though. He had to make a small slice in the blanket were the cable exists to go to the starter which with a little DEI Cool Tape(silver heat reflective tape), its very hard to tell that anything was done.

Dan

[Jim T.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Thanks for all the replys. Not wanting to remove the transmission just for the battery cable, I am thinking I will just cut the old battery cable in two places and leave the piece between the tunnel and insulation for removal someday when I have to remove the transmission. I will try and just route the new cable between the insulation and the tunnel and use all of the other brackets to support the new cable, this will not involve much cable length. The shifter is on the opposite side, so I think this will work.

[Jim T.]

Re: Positive Battery Cable

Thanks for all the replys. Not wanting to remove the transmission just for the battery cable, I am thinking I will just cut the old battery cable in two places and leave the piece between the tunnel and insulation for removal someday when I have to remove the transmission. I will try and just route the new cable between the insulation and the tunnel and use all of the other brackets to support the new cable, this will not involve much cable length. The shifter is on the opposite side, so I think this will work.