fritz76

All batteries, especially those used in the 76 era, had vents in the cell caps to let the gases out as they charged. So where do these gases go after they leave the battery. They go into the battery compartment and that compartment is sealed. It's the only compartment of the 3 that has a gasket around the lid. Is this a good design? I noticed boats and RVs make special provision to vent the battery compartment. :rolleyes:

jerryp58

I believe there is a hole in the center "floor" of the batter compartment.

I'm not sure if the gases coming out of a battery are heavier than air, if there's a vacuum effect when you're driving, or what; but maybe that's how it's vented.

fritz76

Guess I figured the floor hole was to drian spills. In any event my floor hole has a plug in it.

virtue4u

The Jag XJS has the battery in the trunk. A tube connected to the battery vents the battery fumes to the outside. I have read that without that tube, the trunk metal corrodes quickly. I believe the hole in the bottom of the Corvette battery compartment should be opened.

ED DINAPOLI

I know that batteries thru 74 [not sure about later models] had special caps that had vent tubes attached to the battery caps. These vent tubes vented through the battery compartment floor. These caps are still available through some of the battery restoration companies.
Ed


[Modified by ED DINAPOLI, 8:50 AM 1/13/2003]

jerryp58

"In any event my floor hole has a plug in it. "

Check that "plug" from the underside.
It's been a while since I've looked at it, but I thought it looked like it had openings in it.

Marks69BB

:iagree:

Look at it from underneath. My 'plug' looks like a little strainer that has little slits in it for venting of the gases.

ED DINAPOLI

I dont believe the drain hole was for venting gases. It was for drainage of liquid. If you notice the floor is tapered toward this drain hole. The vented caps and the vent tubes were for gas venting.
Ed

fritz76

I double checked my drain plug and it has slits in it too. I agree with Ed that it's made for draining liquids. It was mentioned that special battery caps with a vent tube were used. Where does this vent tube go? There aren't any other holes in the compartment and it surely doesn't go out under the battery through the floor hole. I checked my assembly manual and there aren't any vent tubes shown.
The reason I started this question is because my battery clamps were corroding excessively. The corrosive gases trapped in the compartment are a major reason I'm sure. Also, too much of this gas trapped in there can give an explosive situation. I'm using a new, maintainance free battery but even those have very small holes for ventilation. Back in 76 they didn't have the maintainance free batteries so they had more of the hydrogen gas to deal with. Wonder if there were any reports of explosions in the battery area over the years?

Ganey

C3 came w/ special low gassing bat.
77 had the maintainance free w/ side posts which are very good about maintaining very good connections even w/o a coating.

Green76

fritz76,

My 76 came with a Delco maintanece free battery w/side posts. There is a drain hole in the center of the compartment under battery.
No special vent tube used.
Ulf