72 Positive battery replacement??

[Tom L.]

Good morning, Was having a problem with my car not starting once hot. After investigating I found that the connection at the battery was getting HOT when cranking. I clipped a few inches off of the cable, cleaned the cable and installed a replacement clamp-on style battery connector. Problem seemed to be resolved so I figured I'd enjoy the summer and replace the cables over the winter. That discussion can be foiund at this link.

Well a few runs later the issue returned so I ordered a new set of lectric Limited cables. Went to start removing the old positive cable only to find that one of the clips next to the transmission looks impossible to reach. I was not happy

So... Anyone have any insight on removing the cable clip adjacent to the transmission? I have some ideas, just wondering if someone out there has gone through this. As a reminder it's an LS5 w/ and automatic transmission. Thanks!

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

So... Anyone have any insight on removing the cable clip adjacent to the transmission? I have some ideas, just wondering if someone out there has gone through this. As a reminder it's an LS5 w/ and automatic transmission. Thanks!

Remove engine and transmission.

Replace cable.

Reinstall engine and transmission.



Seriously, this is not at all an easy job.
Look at the "similar threads" posted below by Ed McComas, Lee Snyder and Jim Trekell.

[Mark E.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

I've done this on a couple cars, but they were 4 speeds... tight space but workable.

Automatics have a removable frame member. So if necessary, maybe you can lower the rear of the transmission a couple of inches. Watch the distributor; that may need to come out.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

I've done this on a couple cars, but they were 4 speeds... tight space but workable.

Automatics have a removable frame member. So if necessary, maybe you can lower the rear of the transmission a couple of inches. Watch the distributor; that may need to come out.

Mark that sounds like a good idea. I would also take the fan blade off and unscrew the tach cable. Be sure to support the tail shaft or back of trans. That a lot of weight on engine mounts, the heat shield may have to be removed under trans. I think the cable routes under it. The last time I did a positive cable it was a 68 4spd. Not fun.

[David M.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

I did a 68 3 spd recently. The car was on a lift. Everything from the flywheel back to the dif was removed to install a new clutch, surface the flywheel, inspect the gear box etc.

I said to myself self you're right there its the right time to replace the 56 year old cables. The new tunnel insulation was a major PITA. So was the non removable trans cross member,

I dont see another good way to do it especially since the cable is attached along the tunnel. At min drop the trans and shaft.

Vettes are notorious for loosing grounds. If you are getting hot cables you have too much resistance and or the system is seeking its grounds through sources not originally designed for that.

Make sure the neg cable connected to the frame under the drivers seat is clean & tight.
Is the ground strap from the engine block to the frame on the passenger side by the mount present clean and intact?

How about the ground on the drivers side fender to frame?
There are several other smaller ground straps throughout the car. Get the AIM and find them.

Hows the starter and solenoid? Ill bet the copper disc in the solenoid is shot.
Pull the starter test and rebuild. It probably needs to be refreshed.

Bad grounds will rear their ugly faces when its hot

Tip: wrap a band of red electrical tape around the positive cable on the battery post end so its not mistaken for the neg cable.

[Tom L.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

Thanks for all the replies. I've been away since I posted so that's the reason for the pause. Anyway, I love Patricks suggestion.... NOT!!! lowering the crossmember seems to be the thing.

To answer other questions. Grounds are all good, they are all modern all copper cables. Replacing them anyway. As a reminder to my last post on this, under cranking conditions voltage dropped throuought the system. Even at the cigarette lighter : ) The red flag, no pun, was that the cable and connector at the battery (cable cut back and new clamp style connector added) got real hot real quick. As I mentioned in my first post My wife smelled something burning. Was the heat at the cable on the battery. Oh, the battery is new this year as well.

Will follow up. Thanks and have fun!

[Tom L.]

Re: 72 Positive battery replacement??

Well that's in the rear view mirror. I do have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. However, my vocabulary did change

So a few notes that my experience might help someone else...

- Someone suggested removing the distributor cap and fan blade. The blade was close but I didn't have to remove it. I have no shroud extension so that my be the reason. I did have to remove the ignition shielding but not the cap. If I had lowered it further the cap may have been an issue

- Disconnect the mufflers from their hangers so the exhaust can drop with the crossmember.

- Disconnect the parking brake cable, the cable prevented the trans from dropping.

- Even though it makes a small mess, remove the vacuum modulator. that provides a little extra access to the straps that hold the cable to the body.

- Some WD40 on the grommets was a big help in getting them seated.

- The cables are not an exact reproduction which of course is common. Fit and function was excellent ecept for the hole in the negative cable to chassis connector. The hole was 3/8 so it had to be enlarged to 7/16. No big deal.

Hope this helps someone.