1970 Battery Bolts

[Les G.]

On my March production 1970 I was told that I have the wrong size bolts on my side terminal battery. I spoke to Electric Limited and asked if they sold the bolts separate of the cables. They said no, where can I find the proper bolts without buying a complete set of cables.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Dave,

What size bolts do you now have?

I did a story on the SST (Sealed Side Terminal) batteries for The Corvette Restorer back in the early 1990s. That story will have all the details AND photos (from the pre-digital days). It might be worth you while to dig out that series of stories -- they ran over two issues, and included engineering drawings of several of the early batteries -- but I don't have my index here at work.

The cliff notes -- from memory:

The original side terminal batteries (R-79S & R-79W) had 5/16-inch threads on the negative terminal and 3/8-inch threads on the positive terminal and the hex head on both battery fasteners was 7/16-inch. I believe your March of 1970 Corvette should have these battery fasteners --BUT and here is the kicker:

Your chances of having a real R-79 battery are someplace between slim and none -- but you could durprise me. ALL batteries available today have 3/8-inch threads on both battery terminals. SO:

[Edward J.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Terry, I actually have a nos Delco battery cable - neg. that has a 7-16 bolt head and 5/16 threaded end- a rare piece I bet? I was wondering what year that had that size bolt head.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Late 1969 w/SST battery and 1970 is your application for that negative cable. I think, but never actually surveyed the cars, that all of 1970 production had the two different sized battery bolts, but it is possible the change occurred during the 1970 model year.

So you have one of the now useless fasteners in that battery cable. It is the other (positive) side that Les needs two of. You know, I must say I am impressed with those judges -- IF that is what they deducted for. While the information is in the TIM&JG, most judges overlook the battery terminal fastener configuration. All of us are so used to seeing the 5/16 hex fasteners, I expect that a look at the "real deal" with such a limited application might cause a double take.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Terry, I needed a neg. battery cable for my 72, I bought one on flea bay, but it turned up to be to short and wrong thread dia. 69 or 70 must of had the neg. and pos. termails switched

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Oh shucks -- I forgot about one other thing.

You have a late 1969 ONLY piece. There was another difference between 1969 & 1970. Late 1969 SST batteries were installed with the side terminals facing the front of the car -- and thus the cables are shorter than 1970 where the side terminals faced the rear of the car. I was concentrating on the battery terminal fasteners so much I forgot about the length of the cables.

Ed your 1972 has another issue. Some -- maybe most or all -- 1972 battery cables were copper clad aluminum wire, and the cables were labeled "copper-clad aluminum" on the outside in white lettering. Add that detail to your list.

[Les G.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

I have a reproduction R-79 battery in the car the terminals face the rear. i believe from the history of the car and looking at the cables they are original and in decent shape. I have 3/8 hex head bolts on the battery and my quick disconnect. The Judging manual says 7/16 hex head bolts. Where can I find the proper bolts?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Terry, I needed a neg. battery cable for my 72, I bought on flea bay, but it turned up to be to short and wrong thread dia. 69 or 70 must of had the neg. and pos. termails switched

I bought the one from Lectric Limited after the original on my 72 bit the dust - literally. It's not perfect but it's quite functional and better than anything else you are going to find.

Patrick

[Edward J.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Terry, Patrick, I'll tell ya alittle seceret if ya don't tell anyone, My 72 neg .battery cable does have a copper clad aluminun, its from a 84 monte carlo. it was a copper clad cable. it does not say metric anymore, just says copper clad aluminun. but if by chance you see the car a reg. meet you'll have to over look it. because now you know oneof my seceret.

[William C.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

In '84 the covering (Jacket on the cable) would likely be made of cross-linked polyethylene, which has a different surface texture than the original PVC covering. BTW, the real place to check the copper clad aluminum for issues is on the ground at the crossmember if the car has seen any salt exposure.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1970 Battery Bolts

Bill, I really believe most judges maybe hard pressed to tell the difference, since the 70 cable I have, and the 84 cable look to be the same make of covering looks to be pretty close if not the same, other than the cable end at the frame thats about it.

The (-)minus symbol on cable end and the copper clad spelled out on cable, 5/16 bolt head. I know that this is certainly not one that may get by a judge of your experience.

Dave S. if you see this post you cannot judge my neg. battery cable at the spring meet.