Doug1964

I have a 1960. When I put a replacement battery from Autozone in the car, the positive and negative terminals are scary close to the metal hold down cover. I am concerned the that cable terminal ends will come into contact with the hold down cover and ground out. I also am concerned when putting a wrench on the positive tightening nut that I will short my wrench between the cover and the bolt for the connector. Is there a different battery that has terminals further from the edge of the battery so that it is not so close? Is there something else that other owners do differently? Or should I just use as is. I bet I only have 1/8 of an inch from the connector to the hold down cover or less.

Frankie the Fink

I agree...my '61 is the same. I don't have a pic (hard to get one there anyway) but I covered my hold down bracket in that area with rubber from something years ago...whether it was a vacuum hose or something else I don't recall.

Also you should ALWAYS have a quick disconnect on the NEGATIVE terminal. Just throw that switch (or turn the green ****) before messing with the positive terminal -- problem solved.

Doug1964

Thanks. Good advice on the disconnect.

chris ritchie

What is the BCI Group number of your battery? Your car took a Group 24 battery. That's what I have in my '62. Yes, the terminals are close. But not ⅛" close.

Bacci

I have the exact same problem with my 60 and asked the same question on NCRS site. Never got a good answer but believe it is the difference in the original battery cable ends vs today's aftermarket cables? Yes, it is a group 24 battery.

chris ritchie

Are we talking about the battery terminals - the two posts? Or, the cable terminal ends?

If the battery terminals are too close to the hold down, there's not much that can be done, except find another Group 24 battery where the posts are placed differently.

If the cable ends come down too far so as they're close to the top of the hold down, then just put some insulation in between the terminal and the hold down. Make some plastic shims to jam in there. Coffee can lids perhaps. They can be easily removed for judging or show. Or, wrap the terminal shoulders with electrical tape.

mashinter

I use a plastic disc to isolate the cable end:

DZAUTO

Yes, the posts to some of today's batteries are rather close to the parimeter of the battery, so it's impeative to be very careful when installing/removing the positive cable.
BUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, with that said, the instructions in ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL the manuals and literature regarding battery installation and removal emphasizes that the NEGATIVE cable be installed LAST and removed FIRST--------------------NOT the positive cable. If a wrench is put on the negative cable clamp bolt, and it touches something metal around the battery, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WILL NOT BE MADE!!!

sshort67

Same problem on the 61. Not easy to see under there also. It helped a little by placing those red and green felts under the cable clamps and some gray duct tape on the metal battery frame. Mine is a little under a 1/4 inch but still too close for comfort. Amen to negative first.

SDVette

I just installed a battery cover (from Zip) today. I didn't have any clearance problems. Costco battery.

I would be VERY SKEPTICAL of using duct tape as an insulator. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.