alsmith787

HELP!!! it's come to that time reproduction 71 battery installed. Now the positive cable install & routing, Demmer # 849, the car has A/C. SO! Calling all Info Masters need Professional help, on the routing I've listened to the discussions since 2013 probably went on longer! Yes I've read the assembly manual section 12 page 130 131 & 133 also the maintenance manual + articles + pictures etc etc. I know this is a controversial subject everyone has a Opinion (that's why I'm asking) it's 2023/24 I know there are Ppl who have shown their cars at the Nationals probably Judges are on this forum what is the RIGHT Routing? Along the fender OR over the top side of the valve cover? My car is a late car last numbers on VIN is 397942 these are on DEMMER Delivery Receipt # 03228 Address (Wilson) -
July 1, 1969 - Demmer Received by D I/or s e l/or h think it's Diel or Dsel? Anyway Thanks for the help
alsmith787

69442murph

This is a photo of a A/C car that is pretty much all original that was at the HO Nationals in Indy a couple of years ago.
Appears the posi cable has been changed, however it also appears that the routing is over the fenderwell. It still has the battery cable tube and fenderwell retaining clip down low, so it suggest to me that only the cable has been changed but the original parts are still intact.

Hope this helps.

VC455

There may be exceptions to this, but in this era, Oldsmobile routed the cable over the valve cover on manual transmission cars and along the fender on automatic transmission cars.

69HO43

I know we went round and round with this strange phenomenon with 69 H/O's a while back. I think the consensus was that either way tends to be correct based on original examples found with it being routed both ways.

I think this one below is so original it will make your eyes bleed since it's in the dealer showroom in 69. So we know 100% proof positive if you don't have A/C, then over the valve cover is correct.

1969Hurst

Yep, thats the original pic I received from a guy who's brother bought the car brand new at Van Devere Oldsmobile in Akron OH....
I'd say non A/C you can route it like above, A/C car you can route down the fender, there are original pics and pics from original magazines available supporting both instances.
What I would like to see is an original pic or pic from original magazine article of an A/C car with it down the valve cover... I've seen some restored cars that way where it starts down the fender well and then makes a left turn to go over the valve cover... just seems odd to me.

And to add to the mix, below is a pic from the June 1969 Car Craft article..... Non A/C car routed down fender well...

Guy Fillinger

I have a 69 with air. Its a survivor that I bought off the original owner. Its also Vintage certified. Mine runs down the valve cover. This subject is beat to death at the H/O Nationals every year. Either way is not wrong.