bluevette67

Any suggestions on battery replacement for a 67 Vette with A/C? Had a Die Hard Platinum on there is dead as a door nail. Also, it's been years since I replaced a battery and it was when my Dad was alive. How hard is it to do yourself? I can't remember if we took the wheel off to get this sucker out but I have no room to do that now and car is in a storage unit. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Donald #31176

There is an battery door in the drivers side wheel well to access the installation and removal of the battery. A group 24 battery is the size you need.

wmf62

if you have a Rural King nearby, they have the best prices....
Bill

Powershift

It is best to remove the front wheel. But the job can be done (with some difficulty) by leaving the wheel and tire on. However you must have the frame supported on jack stands and allow the front suspension to "sag" to allow room to remove the battery. Even then it will need to finally go "vertical" when exiting the engine compartment to clear the tie rods..

Done it all the ways possible......and then a few that weren't

Larry

Bluestripe67

If you don't need to do this before next Thur/Fri I might be able to come by and help. Just have the battery. Dennis

bluevette67

That would be great!!!! No rush, going to check out new batteries tomorrow.

Mike67nv

I would suggest taking a look at your battery hold-down hardware. If I’m not mistaken, the AC battery used two bolts on the sides and a retainer over the top (as opposed to the wedge at the bottom of a non-AC ‘67). You want to pick a battery brand with a cap configuration that won’t interfere with the hold-down.

I’ve always had good service from AC Delco batteries. My AC Delco Professional has a space between the caps that should allow clearance for your hold-down.

bluevette67

I found the receipt for the battery from 2009 in my Dads old files and it's a group 34. Any reason for that?

59BlueSilver

I believe group 34 is larger than a 24. The bigger, the better!

Powershift

According to the battery charts the #34 is the same L and W as the #24, but is 1 inch shorter. It is 7-7/8 high versus the #24 at 8-7/8 inch. I believe the #34 also has less aH.

For the factory AC cars, the battery fit is very tight length wise, and can possibly create a problem with the battery access door fiberglass panel fit. So beware of those batteries that have carrying tabs or casing reinforcement ribs on the ends.........you may have to cut them off.

The other issue may simply be (lack of) availability of the 24, but don't know that for sure. You can easily check that.

Larry

bluevette67

Thinking of getting this one. Any thoughts?

OPTIMA Batteries YellowTop Dual-Purpose Battery, Group 34/78, 750 CCA

Bluestripe67

You should do a search of the Forum threads about batteries. Lots of info. Check your PM. Dennis

bluevette67

I did a few searches on the forum and haven't found anything conclusive. I can't find any local places with AC Delco's that will fit. Will go with the Optima. Thanks.

wmf62

people either love or hate optimas... personally, I wouldn't want one; too expensive and too temperamental...
Bill

covette coupe

Go with a DEKA brand battery. You will not be disappointed. We use this brand in everything we have from Corvette, to Volvo, to Dixie Choppers.

bluevette67

Got the old battery out and the new one in easier than I thought. Had to turn the wheel all the way and use lots of patience. Unfortunately, car is still dead as a door nail. All electrics work, the engine just won't turn over. Doesn't even crank! Ugh. Any thoughts?

Bluestripe67

I would start at the cables. After that, the starter/solenoid. Then the bulkhead connector below the master cylinder. Dennis

Nowhere Man

New battery no good.

wmf62

a 'bad' optima.... surely you jest.....

Bill

Nowhere Man

I haven't drank their kool-aid just yet