1974 starter cable 302 auto

[74BroncoX]

I need a starter cable for my 1974 Bronco 302 automatic transmission. Can some one link me to one for sale? I having trouble finding one and I feel like a shmuck.

Thanks
John

 

[oleguy74]

take yours to parts house and get one same length.or you can get some #4stranded welding cable and make one.

 

[Timmy390]

Guessing there is a reason you can't use a "iniversal" one sold at the local parts store? I think even Wal Mart has a few to choose from.

I put on one from the "Zone" on my 74 3 speed 10 plus years ago and it's given me no issues. Just take the old one with you and or measure it. You will find one close for sure.

Tim

 

[savage]

x-3 on take yours to any auto parts store. I have a 74,302 and c-4, just replace the starter cable at autozone.

 

[patterdale]

It's not a Ford or Bronco specific item. If you search for it that way yes you will become frustrated because EB parts are not very common at all any more. You can get a generic cable for a reasonable price at virtually any parts house. I tired to get keys made at a ford dealer The guy behind the counter didn't even recognize it as a for key. Of course the Bronco and the key I was trying to have duplicated were @ 20 yrs. older than the guy.

 

[74BroncoX]

lol @ the keys thing. And thank you all for the info. I will get a cable today.

 

[DirtDonk]

I think you're looking for about a 32" long (preferrably Red) cable of AT LEAST 6 gauge.
Most of us here prefer to upgrade that important piece to a slightly larger 4ga, or even 2ga in extreme cases. But you can't go wrong with 4ga wire.

I believe they're called "Starter-to-Switch" cables, that will have the appropriate eyelet at both ends. I've noticed that many stores are stocking Black cable only now in this application, but that's acceptable too I suppose. I just prefer red for positive (and starter) and black for negative.

If you're in doubt as to the condition or age of your other two battery cables too, now's the time to swap them out and maybe upgrade them as well. A 4ga "Top Post" red battery cable about 9" to 12" long is perfect for the positive side to the starter relay/solenoid. And I typically use a 4ga black cable of (if I remember) about 42" long to run from the battery straight to the engine block to a stud near the starter.
I may be adding some length, but that's because I typically go longer so I can route them safely away from headers and other exhaust components. Clamping the starter cable to the frame is a good practice I like to follow. Again, a little overkill for most, but as I like to say "overkill is just enough" sometimes.

If you choose to use the more traditional mounting point just behind the alternator, it's probably only going to be about 30" long or so. When in doubt though, take your own measurements. As we have learned well here, every Bronco is different!

Oh, and make sure that your negative/ground cable has that second wire (usually 10ga) sticking out of the battery lug. And connect it with some additional 10ga wire to the body somewhere convenient. Your original '74 negative cable would have had a bare spot clamped to the inner wheel well for the body ground.

Have fun. Good battery cables are a life saver. Sometimes literally. Good ones, even overkill versions, are no joke.

Paul