wib1961

What is easiest method to remove battery on a '61?

Frankie the Fink

There isn't one really - no matter what, you are dead-lifting the weight of the battery...so, its more about getting a good firm grip on the beast than any advantage from leverage.

Pad the fender heavily, wear a back brace if you need one, and, since I use maintenance free batteries, I tip the unit up on one end and just "mule haul" it straight up...

Installation is the reverse and some say wrapping the battery in plastic trash bags and lowering it down eases the process. That seems like more trouble than its worth to me...

wib1961

Thanks Frankie. I was afraid there was no easy way. Over the last 45+ years, I have done it several times before, but now that I'm looking at almost 70 it seems to be harder for some reason.

wib1961

Well, with the good advice of a back brace and ALL the strength I had left, I pulled that bas**rd out.Checking into a HELIUM filled battery for replacement.

hedgehead

Assuming you have cleared a path, take a strap or an old belt, cinch the battery in the middle and lift with the belt letting it tilt and guide it out. Installation is the reverse.

AZDoug

Move it to the trunk, i did.

But, yes, rotate battery 90* so it is longways front to rear, tip it up on side vertically longways up, put hand underneath and haul straight up.

it is easier when you are 20 YO vs 60 YO. I put an Optima in when i moved it to the trunk as they don't leak acid .

Doug

jim lockwood

Here's what I do to R&R the battery in my '60:

1. Disconnect both cables

2. Remove battery hold down

3. Disconnect the heater fresh air hose and swing it out of the way.

4. Call my son.


Works every time!

Jim

abdo

That is exactly the way I have replaced the battery in my '61. With the hold down off it is a simple act of slightly tilting the battery while you slip an old belt around the middle. Tighten it up and just lift it out. Putting the new one in is done the same way.

Frankie the Fink

Never tried the belt method and would be a little worried about stability. I just feel more secure with a two-handed grip on it and do a 'clean and jerk' to get it airborne - then it's all about the liniment and heating pad that night... Yes moving the fresh air hose and tach cable out of the way makes the path clear...

abdo

I understand your concern about stablity. With the belt attached, one arm does the lifting while the other stabilizes the removal. You are right about padding the fender, especially if the battery is a tar top. That acid can do mean things to the paint. And yes, if you have a bad back, get some help lifting it out.

Frank, how it the weather down there?

Frankie the Fink

Bad, bad thunderstorm last night...lightning strikes within a few feet of the house...but before that -- the whole weekend was like a tourist postcard.

I had a bunch of fun giving the grand daughter driving lessons

ejboyd5

I've always had good luck using a battery lifting strap that attaches to the top side terminals.

Frankie the Fink

That requires lifting the battery straight up just as it is positioned in the tray...that requires a LOT of space to maneuver it out - which is why I tip the battery on end. Can't say what's easier as I haven't used the strap

Frankie the Fink

IIRC - another installation trick is to take blue quick-release tape and tape the outboard battery hold down rod to the inside of the fender so it doesn't tip over sideways when you slide the battery in (that's no fun at ALL!).

Once the battery hold down is in place you can remove the tape easily...

jimh_1962

I do the same thing. Its a pain when the hold down falls off.

ejboyd5

Not at all. When using the lifting strap you can grasp it at an end where it attaches to one of the terminals and lift that end enough to maneuver the battery out of the car. Installation of a new battery is the reverse of removal and, aside from the weight, not too bad a job if you use a strap to give you a good grip on the battery.

61corv

Is your car fuel injected? Mine is... And there is no easy way to get around the vacuum can or washer tank. I took the front tire off and the splash pan too, I was able to gain access to the backside then.

narlee

Probably the easiest is refer to post 7 and call Jim's son.