Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

[Terry M.]

Re: Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

Terry------


It has always been my understanding, perhaps incorrectly, that all 1969 side terminals used the aluminum cables. In any event, I cannot find the wording on my battery cables. On the positive cable it is possible that it's on the surface I cannot see without removing the cable. It is not seen on the negative cable.

Joe,
The lettering not withstanding there is a difference in the diameter of the copper and aluminum cables. Copper cables are 7/16 inch diameter including the insulation. Copper clad aluminum cables are 9.16 for the overall diameter.

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

Joe,
The lettering not withstanding there is a difference in the diameter of the copper and aluminum cables. Copper cables are 7/16 inch diameter including the insulation. Copper clad aluminum cables are 9.16 for the overall diameter.

Terry-------


My cables have no printing as described on them and they are definitely 7/16" OD. However, attached are photos of the chassis end of the negative cable. I thoroughly wire brushed the very end of the cable. It appears to me that the conductor in the cable is either copper plated aluminum or aluminum or zinc plated copper. Definitely not copper only.

The 1969 and, possibly, early 1970 side terminal cables were unique. The positive was GM #6297644 and the negative GM # 6297645. One reason for this is, of course, the fact that for 1969 the battery terminals faced forward, affecting the required length of the cables. As I vaguely recall the 1970+ had terminals facing rearward. Please advise if I'm incorrect on this point.

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[Terry M.]

Re: Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

Terry-------


My cables have no printing as described on them and they are definitely 7/16" OD. However, attached are photos of the chassis end of the negative cable. I thoroughly wire brushed the very end of the cable. It appears to me that the conductor in the cable is either copper plated aluminum or aluminum or zinc plated copper. Definitely not copper only.

The 1969 and, possibly, early 1970 side terminal cables were unique. The positive was GM #6297644 and the negative GM # 6297645. One reason for this is, of course, the fact that for 1969 the battery terminals faced forward, affecting the required length of the cables. As I vaguely recall the 1970+ had terminals facing rearward. Please advise if I'm incorrect on this point.

What is the overall diameter of your cables? My January 29 built 1970 has copper cables that are 7/16 inch diameter. The copper clad aluminum cables are 9/16 overall diameter. Since aluminum is not as good an electrical conductor as copper the aluminum cables have to be a larger diameter to carry the equivlent current as the pure copper cables. I believe the aluminum was copper clad to reduce the opportunity for corrosion at the interface with the crimped connectors on each end.

Joe, you are correct 1970+ Battery terminals faced the rear of the car. I believe this was a model year change. I know of a 1969 built in the last week of production with the battery terminals facing the front. My 1970, the end of the first month of production, faces rear. We have judged a number of earlier 1970s and the direction the battery faces has never been an issue, so I am pretty confident of the model year change.

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

What is the overall diameter of your cables? My January 29 built 1970 has copper cables that are 7/16 inch diameter. The copper clad aluminum cables are 9/16 overall diameter. Since aluminum is not as good an electrical conductor as copper the aluminum cables have to be a larger diameter to carry the equivlent current as the pure copper cables. I believe the aluminum was copper clad to reduce the opportunity for corrosion at the interface with the crimped connectors on each end.

Joe, you are correct 1970+ Battery terminals faced the rear of the car. I believe this was a model year change. I know of a 1969 built in the last week of production with the battery terminals facing the front. My 1970, the end of the first month of production, faces rear. We have judged a number of earlier 1970s and the direction the battery faces has never been an issue, so I am pretty confident of the model year change.

Terry------


My cables are 7/16" OD.

I wonder if the situation is that the 1969 cables were copper coated aluminum aluminum and 7/16" OD? Then, there was some bad experience with these so they went to copper for 1970? Perhaps they tried again with the later 9/16" copper coated aluminum figuring this might solve the problem of the copper coated aluminum. When it did not, they gave up on aluminum?

[Terry M.]

Re: Looking for correct l 69 battery cables

Terry------


My cables are 7/16" OD.

I wonder if the situation is that the 1969 cables were copper coated aluminum aluminum and 7/16" OD? Then, there was some bad experience with these so they went to copper for 1970? Perhaps they tried again with the later 9/16" copper coated aluminum figuring this might solve the problem of the copper coated aluminum. When it did not, they gave up on aluminum?

One of the engineers I interviewed for my sealed side terminal story back in the 1990s said that they made a batch of copper coated aluminum cables for use in 1969 Corvettes as a test before introducing them later not only in Corvette, but also in other Chevrolet models with far greater production. Corvette made a good test base because of its low (relative) production and the strain of high compression engines. He asked me if I was aware of any of those 1969 cables and I replied "NO." and sadly left that detail there.

I suspect you have one of those test cables, but because I failed to pursue that avenue at that time I doubt we will ever know for certain those details. One of my chief sources recently passed away, and I am not sure of the state of the engineer I referenced above.