[JBanna]

Hello again all,

I'm going to replace my stock battery cables with lower guage versions to hopefully help with a slow when hot starter problem (I have already replaced the starter, which did not improve the problem). I was worried about the heat issue when I switched to headers over 40 years ago, but didn't really have any problems until the last year or so; of course, the original 403 was a bit smaller than the 455 (Pontiac version) I swapped in 20 years ago, but the starter seemed to handle it ok, even with a compression ratio of 10:1. Anyway, where can I source these new cables, and what are the stock lengths for a 78 Trans Am? They are probably the same for either the 403, 400, and 455, but I'm not sure, and my searches are not giving me concrete answers.

Thanks,

Joe

[bdk1976]

I used 1/0 welding cable from ebay - works great.

[vertigto]

BatteryCablesUSA...great prices and quality.

https://www.batterycablesusa.com/battery-cables

[b-man]

Made up my own with some marine battery terminals and large lugs using 2/0 welding cable. I mounted a Ford solenoid to act as a relay and used a copper buss to jump between the positive post and the starter solenoid. This way the positive cable on the starter isn’t hot until the Ford solenoid is activated.

I used the stock positive connection that’s located on the inner fender at the horn relay to mount the Ford solenoid and link that post to the Ford solenoid using a heavy copper buss. This installation is on my ‘64 Le Mans convertible.

The last picture is my ‘64 Tempest when it had a Tri-Power 455. It had a similar Ford solenoid installation and the same 2/0 battery cables I made up, the solenoid is visible near the fender edge. Never any problems starting with a flick of the key in any weather.

[Geoff]

I would buy a modern mini/reduction starter...& use with your existing cables.

You could buy thicker cable for the existing starter & still have the problem. Then what?

[OCMDGTO]

I got mine from American Auto wire, cut to fit. Nice but not cheap. X2 on the mini starter, I've had great luck with Powermaster

[Lee]

I've been using these guys for years. Great product, great service.

https://custombatterycables.com/

[JBanna]

Thanks everyone, I'll find some for sure; upgrading the cables is simple enough, so I'm going to give it a go - the existing cables are 20-30 years old, so it's probably about time anyway! If I still have problems, I'll look into a reduction starter...

[Stuart]

They make a heat shield that covers the starter, one of those may help as well.