Ok, if you have been following the 72 455battery cable thing, you'll know the hassle in getting authentic battery cables. The problem is solved, and M&H came to the rescue. Negative cable is M&H p/n 39497, and it is excellent. We never discussed having the p/n stamped so imagine my surprise when it showed up with the correct assembly manual stamping on it! E-mail darrin@wiringharness.com and order one if you need it. later Tim
OK, and here is the positive battery cable, M&H PN 39496. Again, contact Darrin if you want one, and there are a couple notes on the positive cable: 1) Their drawing shows black cable with red end. I insisted on red cable as well. You will want to do the same (my orig cable was all red). 2) If you want the block installed on it, you will have to supply it first so they can assemble the cable with the block on it. I chose to do that myself (mainly as I did not have a block at the time). 3) The assembly manaul lists this part as 8904123RC. Here is where it gets odd...again we never discussed the p/n being stamped as I really didn't care, the invoice says stamp 8904123RC but when the cable showed up it was stamped 4123RC. My ORIGINAL also only had 4123RC and they did not see that cable. So not sure what is up with that (on the drawing perhaps?), may wish to discuss it with darrin@wiringharness.com if you decide to order one to get what you want. 4) The starter end terminal is the standard one everyone is using. It works fine but doesnt' look 100% correct (no options here though unless you add your own later ro supply them with one to put on). I am happy. Seems like a lot of work for an original small block car going 455 but I did want authentic looking so you guys all benefit as well. Tell him I sent you....they were very helpful and looks like these cables will be added to the catalog soon, that makes me feel good. Price is reasonable too, 35.00 each...I inquired about a group purchase but thinking now its probably better if everyone can just order what they want, unless someone else wants to set it up, I'm just too busy right now. I am very impressed with M&H. It took a month to get it all done, but the end result should benefit many people. later Tim
We need someone to reproduce the block the the cables run through. One that is in two pieces so that they can be put on after the cables are assembled. I had to hack the block apart on my '68 when I replaced the cables :ball: I also purchased the reproduction spring ring cables for my '68 from M&H. Buy direct and cut out the middle man because I believe they supply most of the bigger vendors....
Tim, That positive cable stamped 4123 RC is correct. I had 4 nos cables and one original all red cable, and they were all stamped like that. Your efforts to get the cables reproduced are greatly appreciated. :TU:
Tim, Appreciate your sharing the fruit of all your hard work! I just sent them an e-mail asking if they could reproduce a pair for my '71 350 AC car. Early build with the top posts.
Interesting. I thought mine was an oddball as technically it should be 8904123 RC according to the assembly manual. I even took my orig cable to work to check for any evidence it was ever stamped with the "890" part as well, couldn't find any. And on the block was looking into that as well. Even if made as per original then there would be a supply to have assembled onto the cables when being made. Two piece is even better, and would make them reuseable, as Mike said. Wonder if a poured mold would work, like the guy who was starting on the 71 gs grille when the big money got involved and ended it?? later Tim
Tim, Thanks for all the hard work! I have been looking for these cables for my 72 GS 455, and it's nice to see vendors that are willing to help us with our Buick needs. One question, do you happen to know when the factory changed over to the side terminal setup? My car was built in early Fall of 71 and both the original terminals have been replaced with aftermarket top post terminals. Thanks,
Hi Rob, the changeover to the sidepost was made during the later part of the 71 model year run so my understanding is that all 72's would have the sidepost cables. My 72 assembly manual shows that the drawing to the sidepost cables to be Jan 20, 71. Then the NEG cables (350 and 455) were swapped to the part numbers I used on June 29, 1971. The POS cables with the number I used has no revisions mentioned so assume it was in use Jan 71? Interestingly enough, the NEG cables before the change were p/n 8904124 JF(455) and 8904122 *no letters* (350). That might explain the diff style of stamping used as only the NEG cables were later upgraded again. I'd like to see an early NEG cable to see if it actually has 4124 JF stamped on it to match the 4123 RC style stamping my cable has. Does that make sense? ou: Hopefully that helps...I just put in a 12 hour shift and I've been up for like 20 hours now so i need soome sleep... :sleep: :sleep: later Tim
Tim, Thanks for making this happen. I've been needing to replace the battery cables on my 72 Stage 1 and now I have the inspiration to do it. Job well done!!!!!!!!!! Larry
No need to thank me, I just gave M&H the info and some money to make my cables. You guys will benefit because they are now familiar with the things and should be in catalog. I haven't pulled the chevelle one out yet but I'll tell ya that red cable looks much better than the black one with red end. Funny too, still have incorrect battery and other details but the correct red cable just looks way cool. Also, thought I would mention too that the new cables are slightly larger diameter than the originals. What I did was to drill out by hand (by putting drill bit in vise) the original block to 29/94". Its pretty soft. Then I used a razor knife to slice it down the bottom, and then also down the inside portion just above where the cable would be. The cuts were angled in a bit, so once apart the new cable snapped into the main portion of the block, the smaller part was then re-installed. It all worked out nice, you can move the block on the cable (barely) and once into the bracket it is locked solid and location of the cuts hides the work done. Will install tomorrow. I also drilled two small holes in each piece and pinned the halves together for a little more support. On the backside, if you make the center cuts (between the slots) at a different height than the outside edges, that will keep the parts from sliding apart as well, no glue needed. Of course, ideal setup would be to drill out your old block and then ship to M&H so they can make cable with the block on already. I saved the best one I had so may still get new ones made somehow. If anyone needs a new big block chevelle cable 71/72 let me know!!LOL later Tim
Tim, All of the nos positive cables I had used the same bolt as what your new negative cable has. I wonder why M&H uses a different size/style in the positive cable ? o No: Also the nos negative cables I bought from the Buick Farm several years ago were part # 8909675, which they listed as a 30" cable. I wonder if they are correct, or if that was a superceded part # ?
I am not sure on the bolt size. Was wondering if perhaps that was the original size they decided to use then as the negative cables got upgraded later in the year they went to the standard 5/16"? Easy to change anyway to whatever you want. My cables were made to the original measurements I took off my original GS 455 cables. The neg on that one (same number as repro) is 26.5" center to center with a 13" long secondary lead, and matches the assembly manual p/n's. later Tim
