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tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6858
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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 Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 1:46 pm Post subject: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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Maybe someone has better searching skills or knowledge than me- certainly possible.
Was the bolt used to secure the battery ground cable to the frame of the Bus a special bolt? I recognize that 1958 and earlier bolts would have had a 14 mm od head. Were there any other differences from 1950’s to 1960’s Buses? Maybe a special washer to give better grounding contact? Were the bolt heads body color or bare?
I’ve searched the forums, gallery and a parts manual without getting an answer to the above questions. Thanks in advance.
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1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse
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Eric&Barb
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Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 26182
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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Since the battery cable and battery would be installed after painting the VW. There would be no percentage for VW to install the bolt before paint.
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 53098
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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I have seen some bolts with painted heads because they were installed pre paint to keep the contact area paint free, but I can't recall what years or models right now. I have also seen bare spots where the cable attaches like there was a ~25mm round sticker applied pre paint.
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EverettB 
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Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71775
Location: Phoenix 602
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tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6858
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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This is the bolt that has been holding my battery ground cable to the frame of my 1965 hardtop Deluxe for more than 30 years. The outer edge of the washer is sharp.The threads and the 13 mm head of the bolt are a perfect fit.! I don’t recognize the cross and S on the bolt head. It most likely then, belonged to another car make.
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Roads Scholar
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse
Member# 2059
Last edited by tasb on Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:18 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Douglas Denlinger
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posts: 1408
Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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| Eric&Barb wrote: |
Since the battery cable and battery would be installed after painting the VW. There would be no percentage for VW to install the bolt before paint.
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Incorrect
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Douglas Denlinger
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posts: 1408
Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| I have seen some bolts with painted heads because they were installed pre paint to keep the contact area paint free, but I can't recall what years or models right now. I have also seen bare spots where the cable attaches like there was a ~25mm round sticker applied pre paint. |
Close
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Douglas Denlinger
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posts: 1408
Location: Arizona's version of the east coast
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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| EverettB wrote: |
My '63 15-Window:
Painted head, big washer:
I believe this was a my old '64 13-Window, also painted with big washer, which also looks painted here:
I don't think it's a special bolt in any way. |
Correct!
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nlorntson
Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004
Posts: 3863
Location: Twin Cities, MN
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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| Bolt, hex. head M 8X15 |
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6286
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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every original bolt I've seen is painted body color, with large washer as Everett has shown above. thumbs up!
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Clara
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Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12648
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 3:02 pm Post subject: Re: Original Battery Ground Cable Bolt? |
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| sled wrote: |
| every original bolt I've seen is painted body color, with large washer as Everett has shown above. thumbs up! |
x2
I think the switch from 13mm to 14mm happened when they went from screw terminal wires to spade terminal wiring at 614 xxx
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