Battery cables

[Domingo]

Another thing I just changed was the negative battery cable and you wouldn't believe the difference it made as to the strength at the start now I am considering changing the positive cable. Is it the same as the negative? Any suggestion here?

Problem with using the same cable is that in the positive cable there are a few connections coming out of the pos connector next to the battery...

[DEMIURGE]

I can believe you've got a serious difference changing the negative cable. Usually this can be a weak point in a 30 years old car. But not the cable itself, I think you have a poor contact (so higher contact resistance) from one or both sides of the cable (cable shoes to the engine/battery and cable to the shoes). So, if you do not dramatically change (increase) the section of the cable - this was the reason of the "low RPM start".

I suggest you not to change the positive cable, but check the contact surface first.

[Mike W.]

I think both due to location and the design of the braided ground strap, the negative is more likely to suffer the ravages of time. If the positive looks good, and it cranks well, I wouldn't bother changing it.