Battery
07-13-2017, 12:31 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Location: Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
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Battery
Aside from what the manual says and just like tires, most have deviated from what came with your cars.
What size battery or group size, CCA?
Top or side posts?
Recycled lead or virgin lead batteries like Diehard Premium?
I claim ignorance on the subject of Optima batteries and their benefits for use in early C3 cars. At this moment I can't see justification to spend twice as much for a part time use vehicle.
What size battery or group size, CCA?
Top or side posts?
Recycled lead or virgin lead batteries like Diehard Premium?
I claim ignorance on the subject of Optima batteries and their benefits for use in early C3 cars. At this moment I can't see justification to spend twice as much for a part time use vehicle.
07-13-2017, 07:29 AM
#2
Team Owner
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Hi,
"Top or side posts?"
On 68-72 cars the configuration of the battery cables dictates whether a top terminal or side terminal battery is used.
For example, the cables in 70-72 cars are for use with side terminal batteries.
Regards,
Alan
"Top or side posts?"
On 68-72 cars the configuration of the battery cables dictates whether a top terminal or side terminal battery is used.
For example, the cables in 70-72 cars are for use with side terminal batteries.
Regards,
Alan
07-13-2017, 07:53 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
On my 69 the cables are side post. This makes connecting the battery quite a bit more difficult. I always assumed they were all side post for convenience? Was it common for them to be side posts?
07-13-2017, 09:07 AM
#4
Team Owner
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Hi x,
The batteries used during the 68 model year production were of the top post configuration.
Top post batteries continued to be used during 69 model year production until about car # 22000 when the change to a side terminal battery was made which continued in use through at least the 72 model year production.
Regards,
Alan
The batteries used during the 68 model year production were of the top post configuration.
Top post batteries continued to be used during 69 model year production until about car # 22000 when the change to a side terminal battery was made which continued in use through at least the 72 model year production.
Regards,
Alan
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doorgunner (07-14-2017)
07-13-2017, 09:20 AM
#5
Drifting
early cars called for a group 24 battery, not sure if that changed. I can easily fit a group 34 in my 68 battery box with no worries of the top terminals hitting.
a battery is one of the things I never cheap out on. I run Ac Delco batteries in just about everything, and I put an antique auto battery i my vette. Modern battery made to look original. Its pricey but they claim they will hold a charge up to a year.
FWIW- I used to love optima batteries, I have one approaching 10 years old that is still good. 2 months back bought a brand new yellow top, dead cell right out of the store.
a battery is one of the things I never cheap out on. I run Ac Delco batteries in just about everything, and I put an antique auto battery i my vette. Modern battery made to look original. Its pricey but they claim they will hold a charge up to a year.
FWIW- I used to love optima batteries, I have one approaching 10 years old that is still good. 2 months back bought a brand new yellow top, dead cell right out of the store.
07-13-2017, 03:55 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
My vin is around 19000. It has side posts cables in it. So I guess maybe someone changed mine? They don't look new but even an old changeover wouldn't look new I guess.
Last edited by xpoc454; 07-13-2017 at 03:58 PM.
07-13-2017, 04:00 PM
#9
Team Owner
Wherever you buy the battery, they should have a catalog that details the correct battery for your car.
I get my batteries at Wal-Mart. They're made by the same mfgr., have a decent warranty, and are reasonably priced. Been doing that for years with no problems.
I get my batteries at Wal-Mart. They're made by the same mfgr., have a decent warranty, and are reasonably priced. Been doing that for years with no problems.
07-13-2017, 04:15 PM
#10
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Hi x,
Sometimes you have to believe the car.
While I'd expect to see top terminal cables in your car????
I guess you could look closely to see if there are signs that they were replaced.
Regards,
Alan
Sometimes you have to believe the car.
While I'd expect to see top terminal cables in your car????
I guess you could look closely to see if there are signs that they were replaced.
Regards,
Alan
07-13-2017, 05:21 PM
#11
Team Owner
My '69 built in Jan 1969 and uses the top post style. It did have side terminals when I initially got the car, but after having to replace the cables I went with the correct ones. Easier to keep a trickle charger on anyway.
And replacing that positive cable is not something I want to repeat anytime soon...
And replacing that positive cable is not something I want to repeat anytime soon...
07-13-2017, 05:49 PM
#12
Team Owner
Hit the easy button and go to walmart and buy a battery.
07-13-2017, 05:58 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...264#about-item
07-14-2017, 01:48 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
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I have a van that hasn't been used much during the last 3 years. The battery (Max from Walmart) has been discharged completely and sits sometimes for months at a time between jump starts (3 - 4 times) but this week this battery won't hold a charge and I had to replace (bought 01/11).
07-14-2017, 06:07 AM
#16
Safety Car
07-14-2017, 10:27 AM
#17
Safety Car
from a CCA point of view, buy you the biggest CCA you can find for your budget.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
07-14-2017, 11:39 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
The highest CCA battery that will fit in the space from Walmart. Been in there for 5 years now.
You can spend more $$ on a battery but it doesn't mean it's a better battery.
I have a Walmart battery that is 13 years old and still holding a charge.
You can spend more $$ on a battery but it doesn't mean it's a better battery.
I have a Walmart battery that is 13 years old and still holding a charge.
07-14-2017, 02:12 PM
#19
Nam Labrat
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from a CCA point of view, buy you the biggest CCA you can find for your budget.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
07-14-2017, 02:38 PM
#20
Team Owner
If the car sits a lot, you should either put a GOOD trickle charger on it (a cheap one will overcharge the battery and kill it just sitting there) or have a battery disconnect. I have the latter and have no problem starting the car...even if it has sat for a couple of months or more. The disconnect also makes it convenient to work on anything electrical without having to REMOVE battery cables.