Author Topic: 65 GS Battery Cables  (Read 2482 times)

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Offline lostark98

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65 GS Battery Cables
« on: August 26, 2013, 03:53:17 PM »
I read the discussion on battery cables and sources from August 2012 and found it quite interesting. I'm not sure if the discussion on the color of the positive cable was definitive, but, more importantly, I was not able to identify a reliable resource for accurate reproduction cables. If I missed it, would someone please post the source? Thanks!
Ken

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Coupe

Offline dsags

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2013, 05:09:58 PM »
No one makes a reproduction battery cable for a 1965 Gran Sport. A spring ring red positive battery cable is made for the 1966 GS but it is just a bit too long for the 65. Plus some believe the spring ring is not correct for 1965. Hope that helps.
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline lostark98

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2013, 05:58:50 PM »
Thanks Dan. That was about what I gleaned from the dialog! I'm kind of with the guys who believe that both cables were black and not of the spring clip. I don't recall having that on my previous GS or any of the others I've seen. The photos are compelling though!

In any case if anyone can recommend a good replacement cable source, I'd be grateful!
Ken

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Coupe

Offline dsags

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2013, 07:59:21 PM »
NAPA has a great variety of battery cables. Using their website lets you choose length and gauge plus with or without the grounding strap for negative and red or black. All are the regular clamp style you seem to like and the price is about 1/3 of the spring ring reproduction items.
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline lostark98

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2013, 09:03:52 PM »
Thanks again Dan! Will check out NAPA site.
Ken

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Coupe

Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2013, 11:52:17 AM »
Not sure why there is controversy about the positive cable for a '65 GS.
Factory pictures show a RED clamp style cable from battery to junction block / horn relay.
Part number that was on one of my many GS cars was 2982506. If memory serves me, it was 24- 27 inches long.
The negative cable was Black clamp style cable with a secondary lead. It was approximately 17 1/8 inches long , give or take 1/4 inch. Main cable had a 3/8 inch hole  for attaching at the engine. the secondary lead was 14 gauge black and 15 inches long with a 1/4 inch hole for attaching to fender.
Both cables were 2 gauge wire.

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Offline Brian

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2013, 12:20:02 PM »
Originals on a very rusty 65 GS I parted several years ago.  These have since been cleaned and installed on my 65 GS.
'64 Skylark 2dr ht 4 speed, 300-4
'65 GS ht, 4 speed,2-4s,AC,PS,PB,PW,Pseat,Tilt
'66 Skylark 2dr ht 300-2 automatic
'78 Yamaha DT 400 2 stroke
'88 Ford F-150 4x4 (used to be 4x2)
'89 Ford F-350 4x4
'03 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6-speed manual (daily driver)

Offline dsags

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2013, 04:05:09 PM »
Great information. That should take care of the battery cables. Now if the BCA judges would only read this.

Ken, I bought 4 gauge cables. MPB 781127 - 25" red, and MPB 781102 - 20" black no secondary lead. Price was $8.69 and $8.29.
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline lostark98

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2013, 04:42:44 PM »
Thanks for all your help and the detailed information! I also found a company that claims to be able to custom make cables (http://vintageautogarage.com/) so I sent in a request for a quote. Will let you know what they come back with!
Ken

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Coupe

Offline cwmcobra

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2016, 09:02:37 PM »
Fast forward to 2016....anything new on sources for correct battery cables?  I see CARS has them for sale, specifically for 65-66 GS, but are they correct?  I don't think so because the negative cable doesn't appear to have the second ground wire to the fender.

Chuck

PS:  I finally had some success using the Search function.  That's why I'm posting in a three year old thread :-)
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
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Offline Mark Ascher

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2016, 10:24:59 PM »
Chuck,

Just went through this last year getting them for Rob's car. Did I post numbers in the parts thread?
If not, I have them in my email archive, just need to find them.

NAPA has what is needed.

Mark
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Offline cwmcobra

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2016, 10:37:12 PM »
Thanks Mark.  I didn't see them in your list in the parts thread.  I'll check the NAPA site as well.

Chuck
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Verde Green/401/2x4 BBL/4-speed - AACA First Grand National - AACA National Award - BHA Outstanding GS - BCA Senior Gold
1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

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Offline Mark Ascher

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Re: 65 GS Battery Cables
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2016, 11:04:07 PM »
Chuck,

Check these two part numbers out:

Red, 25" cable - MPB781127
Black 19" cable - MPB781167

Check the numbers with NAPA before you order.

Mark
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)