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So I have a set of OEM style repop battery cables that I got for for my '72 U code Supreme from ILT. Today I decided I would negotiate the possibility of installing them.
Before I even turned a bolt, I thought I would try a "dry run" just to see what I was in for. Good thing I did, cuz had I just dove in, I'd be saying some not-so-nice words.
I laid the positive cable on the battery and taped it down so it wouldn't move, then fed the other end down behind the LCA and beside the header so I could get it from underneath.
Well, turns out there's not enough clearance to hook up the starter end because of the headers. Even if I drop the starter, I'm not sure it's gonna work. The eyelet extends past the end of the cable about 3/4 of an inch, plus it's at a 90 degree angle. Couple that with the thick 4 gauge cable (not very forgiving), and there in lies the issue.
So here's my question...do I need to try another cable, or am I at a dead end because of the headers?
I'm ok with the setup I have now, but just need to know where to go from here.
I was in the same situation a few months back. I went with the 4 speed cable routing across the valve cover and down the back of the motor to the starter. The cable is the same for both applications but you will need the battery cable tube for the 4 speed which are available new. The factory correct clamps are also available new but I went with rubber cable clamps instead. Another option would be a longer cable across the inner fender under the brake booster then down the back of the engine through the 4 speed battery cable tube and to the starter.
Thanks for the reply...for me, the routing isn't the issue. It's getting the eyelet to the starter. The limited space between the header and the starter are the issue....duh!...the lightbulb just came on. Why couldn't I just bend the eyelet straight?
Gotcha. I’m not sure if you need to drop the starter to attach the cable. When I did mine I swapped to a mini starter so attaching the cable was the easy part of that job.
