I wanted to reroute the Battery + cable

71' Cutlass S with 455 and TH400 auto tranny:

I know there are 3 options-

1) Original route for Auto transmissions which is over fender well to the back, and under exhaust. Not possible for me due to headers, unless I go between headers with battery cable tube. Doesn't seem to wise or maybe not even possible.




2) The manual tranny route over the valve covers and down the back.
Does anyone have pics of the backside and underside of this routing method?





3) Direct through the Alt brackets, and under the front end of block. This is
the current route used by previous owner. It bugs me as it isnt right. But works fine.




I wanted to reroute it the way it should be as original factory. But that doesn't seem possible. Which other way is best to you guys - 2) or 3) ?
I know some don't like the over the valve cover route due to aesthetics.

Is there a way to go through headers via the cable tube? I got one, but cant really check it as the brake lines for the distribution box has been rigged and the brake lines are running to the box where the cable tube would go (brake line distribution box location- something that I plan on fixing at some point.)

All comments welcomed. Thx.

 

JCMC64, On the manual trans cars there is a tube bolted the back of the drivers side head. The battery cable goes through this and down to starter. I am sure the website wildaboutcars has an assembly manual with the pictures you are looking for. 70-72 should be the same as far as the way the cable is routed. In my 71 assembly manual the picture is in chapter 6 on page 118.

Don W

 

I'm with Mr. Shifty Sidney. It may not be stock but if you go behind the brake booster then down the firewall and stay there or even go to the head you will probably have a straight shot down to the starter.

 

I would route it like the manual transmission cars.
You can route it another way,leaving it on the fenderwell,but you will need a longer cable,to route up,over,and away from the headers.
The reddish tube in picture #1 can be mounted in a variety of ways,to help keep the cabel away from the header.The 4-spd applications have that tube mounted to the back of the cylinder head.

 

You can run just inboard of the windshield wiper motor, straight shot from there. The nice thing about that is you can find a place to mount the steel tube for protection.

 

I ran mine like the 4 speed cars also. Over the top. No header clearance problems and stock length.

 

OK...thx for all the input. Ive been busting my butt everyday on this car. The MAW's syndrome has completely won out and taken over! But Im getting a lot done.

But as for the routing, no one mentioned going the alt. route, which is the least preferred to me too. I personally like the Fender well route, but Brian is right about the extended length cable needed. I will have to use some string to test the routes see how long I'll need. I got a nice new 2 gauge + wire at 54" but dont think it will reach. I also have the battery cable tube, but the headers, as everyone knows, gets in the way, so I will have to experiment more here too.

Thx again for the inputs, my email never notified me of replies on this thread.