OK, got lucky!! Going through pictures, looked like my 72 GS 455 car still had original positive cable (ie, still has assembly manual p/n and code stamped on it). Had friend pull it off and bring it in for me since its an hour out of town at his farm. Its rough but complete, so here are the lengths for the batt cables off a 72 GS 455, Fremont built, Oct 71. Negative is side post, all black, 26.5" center to center. End is flat style fitting. Positive is side post, all red, 45" center to edge of starter end fitting (which is a 90 degree fitting, so about 46" center to center if you bent that fitting over). The black plastic block is there, but rough (does anyone have a decent one for sale?), also cable had a 16" long black protective sheath on it. I'm going to put pics and more info on website later. For now I have ordered 2 chevelle side post cables from NPD, -46 and -28 is all they had (sure hoping those are the lengths!), we'll see how it goes. Neither of the originals is really good enough to use on my ragtop. I'll take one for the team on the NPD cables, might lucky, might get burned (cable will probably be black with red end which is ok with me). Also, M&H said they could make me a new cable in all red, but if I'm gonna do that I would want a new plastic block.... Hope all this info helps out somebody! Later Tim
Interesting stuff Tim . Im really curious what your going to get from NPD. The plastic blocks would sure be a good piece to get reproduced. Mike Garrison..are you listening? :grin: Cant be too hard to make and I bet they would sell pretty good. I could sure use a couple. Good luck...I'll keep my fingers crossed
Yeah me too. We had a discussion and figured the last numbers of the part number must be the length, makes sense. Guess we'll see. 28.50 each plus shipping plus the usual UPS ripoff to Canada (man do we get screwed by UPS) will be over 100.00 by the time I see them. Hopefully I can use them on something!!! :laugh: I'll keep you updated. Nobody seems to know the lengths, just the part numbers of what they sell and what they fit (fair enough I guess). The blocks would be a good repro, they are actually more complicated than they look at first glance. Nubs and dips to keep everything aligned. The big problem will be that is you could buy the block, would you cut up a premade battery cable to slide the thing on?? Course, if the end of these chevelles cables are wrong, that wouldn't be a big deal. Here's hopinp they fit. I can't afford this any more...AND THEN when I post pics of my car, people will start ripping it apart anyway.... ou: later Tim
I was thinking more of a snap together style so you wouldnt have to cut the end off. Food for thought I guess Im sure it wouldnt be anywhere near the ripping I would get on one of my cars! I took a totally original car (my 71) and made it totally unoriginal ou:
Thats funny, I was thinking the same thing...maybe a two piece that would clip together and once installed hold itself in place.... later Tim
OOPS!!!! Sorry Duane, hit the wrong button and just deleted your post.....!!! ou: ou: Tim the dumbass!
Ever try to adapt an old plastic block to a new cable? I have and those things are amazingly tough. Hours of work with saws dremels etc. But it was the only option.
Yeah well Duane explained how to do it and then I accidently deleted his post!!! ou: Hows that for gratitude?? They look to be some kind of fibre material, I'd be happy with one that wasn't trashed (mine has some major wear, and I am going to keep it complete in the off chance somebody ever does decide to repro it I have a complete cable assembly here for a template). Depending when your 71 was made, it could have been side post as well. My 71 is really (like 5th week of aug 1970) early but I might go sidepost one day when I redo it, just so much nicer. later Tim
Tim i worked like a demon to make mine fit. My car was made 5th week in March right at the changeover. Prob was side mount. I have spring rings now and I like being able to just wiggle them off easily. The 71 neg side post didnt have a ground pigtail did it? Why did they add this in 72?
Well not sure but after how many years of making cars maybe they realized a better ground would help things out? It certainly can't hurt.... later Tim
Ok now you are on the dumbass list too!!! :laugh: See what happened?? I hit edit instead of quote and I CAN really edit threads in here so thought I was replying but actually deleted part of his post so i was only replying to part of the quote....then I realized my mistake so thought I would start over but deleted the WHOLE thing. Was going to re-post it but its got my comments in there now too!!!!LOL Which you just posted!!! :laugh: Normally I'm more careful but currently dubing 8mm to my mini dv and some onto DVD at the same time and doing my taxes and dealing with our new house assessment and trying to get website updated and ...well you get the idea. later Tim
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Tim
What's going on here "Musical Posts"? I can take a hint, I know when I'm not wanted! You guys crack me up. Anyway, what I said was I have re-cycled the old plastic blocks. If you get a wizzer wheel and cut out one side of the block, you can get the old cable out and slide the new cable right in. I have done this many times for the 70 spring ring cables. (I am pretty sure I cut the side out facing away from the engine, but would need to check.) The trick is to cut the piece out a little small, that way the cable kind of snaps in and keeps it tight. Duane
Tim- Already went through 72 cable problem, NPD cables are exact, except both will be black. I used red shrink tubing from a company in Nevada, a little lighter in color but the closest I could find. If I could be any help let me know. GOOD LUCK BOB BUICK
Hi Bob, both will be black as in completely black for the positive cable or just the cable part itself?? Guess i'll know in a few days.... :laugh: And where have you been while we've been wading though all this stuff??? ou: Thanks Tim
Tim- Just the cable part will be black,the positive end will be red and looks correct. You'll have to shorten the black slide on sleeve, on a Chevy it goes all the way to the starter, the Buick it stops at the engine block. BOB BUICK
The trouble is all mine grasshoppa. p Once sorted out all you will have to do is buy the cable and then the world will be wonderful again.... Besides my assembly manual says June 71 is changeover drawing so your car is too early for sidepost anyway. Just try not to weld yourself to the rad support.. :laugh: later Tim
Ok, thanks for the heads up. I'm ok with the colors I think, might see if I can find the red shrink tubing. It has a molded on sleeve??? :laugh: later Tim
