'63 Cadillac battery cables

[Gary Powers]

Hello everyone,

Want to check my understanding of the battery cable hook up for my '63 Cadillac.

I have the negative cable connected to the negative post... then bolts to the frame just below the battery.

The positive cable connects to the pos post and then to the starter connection.     Also the felt washers are to be soaked in oil before installation onto the bat posts per the shop manual... anyone do this anymore?

Gary

[Jason Edge]

The ground to radiator support should have no bearing whatsoever on cranking as circuit for cranking is primarily provided by the negative battery cable to frame;  then right frame rail to back of engine via that very large ground strap.

Items on the firewall such as horn, voltage regulator, lights, etc, could be adversely affected if other periperal grounding such as radiator support to fender to body to engine are not all proper. I've had the firewall to engine grounds disconnected and of course cranks fine but you have a lot of electronics in front and behind firewall that need a good ground.   The firewall to engine,  negative battery cable to frame and radiator support, and frame to engine all help to provide a solid ground for all electronics. 

For anyone looking to add the small negative braided radiator support strap I can remove and sell a nice VG original one for $10.  They are very easy to remove and install as they are held in place by to prongs that you can pry back and remove, and simple crimp on new cable with large crimpers or large channel locks etc. I will do an addendum to my battery and battery cable writeup in the near future and includes some pictures and more details.  

Most after market bolt terminal cables have a negative side wire at the battery terminal and you can also run the black wire back down and around to the radiator support.

Regardless I would not skimp on making sure you have solid cross-grounding between battery, frame, firewall and body, engine, and radiator support.

[Gary Powers]

ok thanks Jason, I now see that the ground strap is missing on my car... will need to get one to install.

Happy Holidays

[Jason Edge]

There is a small braided ground strap that attaches to bottom of negative battery cable that attaches to the radiator support below the right side forward lamp harness grommet as seen in picture below. 

More example battery cable pictures and info in these links

 

: Battery: Example Battery and Battery Hold Down Hardward Pictures: http://6364cadillac.ning.com/photo/albums/original-type-60-battery-...

Battery: Original Battery and Battery Cable Article in Sept 2013 Newsletter  http://6364cadillac.ning.com/profiles/blogs/original-battery-and-ca...