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Supplier of Spring Ring Battery cables for our cars?

Started by 76eldo, September 20, 2018, 06:55:19 PM

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76eldo

I want to replace the battery cables on my 70 Eldorado.

Anyone know of a source for new ones?

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

quadfins

IIRC, I bought my spring rings from Antique Auto Battery, same as the battery itself.

No wonder that it is under new ownership, I don't know if they stock cables, but it would be worth checking into.

Jim
Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC
Senior Crown
DeCou Driving Award x 4

marty55cdv

   Brian, here is a link to a article Jason Edge did on the 6364 site. Not sure what length 70's are but this might help.  https://6364cadillac.ning.com/profiles/blogs/original-battery-and-cables
Marty Smith
  CLC #22760
41 60 Special http://bit.ly/1Wm0GvT
55 CDV http://bit.ly/1G933IY
56 Fleetwood
1958 Extended Deck http://bit.ly/1NPYhGC
1959 Fleetwood  http://bit.ly/1OFsrOE
1960 Series 62 Coupe
1960 Sedan DeVille  4 window Flattop
63 Fleetwood http://bit.ly/1iSz17J
1964 Eldorado http://bit.ly/1Wm17GA  (Living in California now)
1988 EBC http://bit.ly/1iSACKz

Dan LeBlanc

#3
I bought a set from McVey for the 61.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Jason Edge

Quote from: marty55cdv on September 20, 2018, 11:38:54 PM
   Brian, here is a link to a article Jason Edge did on the 6364 site. Not sure what length 70's are but this might help.  https://6364cadillac.ning.com/profiles/blogs/original-battery-and-cables
Yes, the 1969 Camaro Spring Ring cables I sourced through Heartbeat City were an almost exact match. All I had to do was transfer the bottom ground strap from an old original negative cable. Not sure what length the 70's cables are but you might be surprised how close you can get to items for our old Cadillacs by checking out places like Heartbeat City and Corvette Central.
Jason Edge
Lifetime Member
Executive Vice President
CLC 1963/64 Cadillac Chapter Director - www.6364Cadillac.com
CLC Carolina Region Webmaster - www.CRCLC.org
CLC MRC Benefactor
email - jasonedge64@outlook.com
1964 Coupe DeVille - Sierra Gold - http://bit.ly/1WnOQRX
2002 Escalade EXT - Black
2013 Escalade EXT Premium Edition - Xenon Blue
2022 XT5 Luxury Premium - Dark Moon Blue Metallic

Cape Cod Fleetwood

Just put in a new battery ground in my '70, $9 at NAPA...

\m/
Laurie
There are 2 kinds of cars in the world, Cadillac and everything else....

The Present -1970 Fleetwood Brougham

The Past -
1996 Deville Concours
1987 Sedan De Ville "Commonwealth Edition"
1981 Coupe De Ville (8-6-4)
1976 Sedan De Ville
1975 Sedan De Ville

The Daily Driver and work slave -
2008 GMC Acadia SLT *options/all

Scot Minesinger

My source was same Antique Battery, but something happened a few years ago and they no longer supply these.  These were very good and they are working great on my cars now.

Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

fishnjim

Just a comment.   These things were a bad idea back in the day.  There's not enough clamp force so corrosion overcame, so they eventually become resistances.  They had to be (frequently) cleaned and "shaved" prior to reinstall.   So they weren't expected to last the life of the vehicle when period batteries only lasted a 2-4 years.   They sold bolt through replacement end connectors(terminals) because of the corrosion losses, which is technically period correct.   Even with the advent of side post, they sold adapters.  Now they usually come with both post types.   Like exhaust systems, batteries, tires, gaskets, seals, etc. some parts are meant to be expendable and I respect there's an aura of authenticity in "all from the factory original", but from a go forward practical standpoint, if these are replaced with a better available part, then no reason not to employ it.   It'll help reserve the life of the vehicle.    Replacement cables even if spec aren't "original", per se.    I'd abide by the wire gauge and insulation colors, but an expendable end is not critical.   I suspect the reason they aren't being reproduced is they just weren't a good design, low/no shrinking demand, and better alternates.  The EPA has all but eliminated any lead processing in this country and was trying to shut down the last lead battery recycling.   Even the vintage "look" batteries are not OEM inside.   This often happens in OEM parts, when a redesign came out and the NOS was used up, they superseded with the better part number.   In this case, the predecessor was better.   I'd just keep the old cable, if original, for show and tell.
If you find some and you want to protect, the red spray they sell today, I don't recall, was used by factory, so if used, it'll be incorrect anyway so to speak.  So without, they'll need to be replaced again sooner most likely.  A replacement shop may have used spray.  I seem to recall our garage started using it, but not sure what year that was.  I know I replaced spring clamp terminals with bolt thru back then.  Even the bolts or bolt terminals would require periodic replacement.   Some smeared/sprayed white grease trying to ineffectually keep out moisture, most left them as is as the factory.
These exact replacement type items will only continue to get increasingly scarce with time, so we'll have to adjust our thinking anyway.   So it's happening with the '70s now. It's worse going back.   Two tracks, hoard old parts or go with the flow.   One is a dead end.

76eldo

#8
I have to respectfully disagree.
I have a 30,000 mile all original 70 DeVille convertible.
It has the original spring ring terminals and they function perfectly.

The car I need these for is a 15,000 mile all original Eldorado.
I want it to have the correct cables on it.

The first owner had a battery replaced at a local shop and they took it upon themselves to "improve" his battery cables by snipping off the ring ends and using the universal clamp type replacements. I'd like to have the correct cables back on there.
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Bobby B

Brian,
Hi. There's a place in Bellmawr, NJ that I used to use for all my GM wiring goodies. They used to carry spring ring Battery Cables also. Maybe they'll have what you're looking for, and they're not far from you. Good Luck!
                                                                                 Bobby

https://www.americanautowire.com/shop/nsearch/?q=spring+ring+battery+cables
1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe
1968 Mustang Convertible
1973 Mustang Convertible
1969 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1971 Datsun 240Z
1979 H-D FLH

Chuck Swanson

Quote from: 76eldo on September 23, 2018, 12:07:31 PM
I have to respectfully disagree.
I have a 30,000 mile all original 70 DeVille convertible.
It has the original spring ring terminals and they function perfectly.

Yes,been using on my cars for 15+ years, no problems either.  Got mine from Antique Battery years ago.  Chuck
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
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66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Scot Minesinger

You know I have no patience for the "Fake authentic" that is really junk, such as tower clamps.  These snap ring battery cables are good. 

My 1970 SDV with 35 miles had the original cables, but they had been butchered during a battery replacement along the way, but still worked fine, just looked bad.  I replaced them with the Antique Auto battery cables in 2012 and they are still working great.  All three of my 1970 Cadillacs use these spring snap ring cables and they are fine.  I use a "T" handle negative disconnect that intercepts the battery cable before it joins the frame and body, so this cable does not get abused being removed for any service.  It is nice, just do not have to think about these until this post.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty