'39 Battery cable negative attachment

[cxgvd]

An odd request, should seem obvious but isn't to me.  Where does the negative battery cable attach to a 1939 Buick Century.  Mine is very long and too thin (12V) and attached to the starter mounting bolt.  Do not see any empty holes so does the cable attach to the front battery box bolt?  Thanks in advance Gary

[Mark Shaw]

Gary,

    Any convenient bolt on the engine will work for the ground cable.  However, if you have a show car, consult with others.

[Grimy]

Running the battery ground to a starter mounting bolt is an old trick to increase starter performance, especially in 6V systems, and may have been necessary to get decent starter performance due to the too-small 12V ground cable.  I suggest you change both cable to 00 (double ought) welding cable and run the ground to where the factory installed it.  Local battery companies often will make your 00 cables up while you wait.

[jvelde]

The '39 Manual refers you to the '38 Manual Battery description (12-40), which says the "ground location has been changed from the frame to the engine located on mounting bolt of ignition coil".  It is on the forward coil mounting bolt on my '39 Special.