bronzebb

My battery is dead again and I want to replace it with a sealed Optima. What is the max size that fits with side terminal posts in a 68?

Thanks in advance.

TT

Durango_Boy

I have a '77 with a Yellow top Optima. It fits great, and even though I converted to top post, I use the side posts for battery and tender. Also note that with the engine off, and it sitting on a shelf for six months prior to install...it held a 13V charge. With the tender on it, I get 13.4V. I would not get anything less than a Yellow top for your car.

bronzebb

Is there a specific size? Do they all come with top posts and side terminals? I figure as long as the hatch door closes, the bigger the better.

TT

King Lear

No they all dont come with both posts, I have the yellow top in my 72 and it fits fine, I imagine your battery compartment is the same size as mine right in the behind the passenger seat compartment.
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...4294893602+115

Ray Y

The Optima website has a good tool for idnetifying the right battery for the application. I think you will find 3 batteries list for your car. Two redtops and one yellow. The yellow tops are deep cycle units, and from what I recall had a lower CCA rating than the largest red top that fits your application. Costco is now a distributor for Optima and their price beat my local store by $30. I bought the red top, but I don't think you can go wrong with either unit.

Ironcross

All are similar size, the difference is in power and price. The more you pay the better the battery.

Eddie 70

I am pretty sure mine is a Red Top Optima. I put the Battery Tender on mine to keep it topped off and ready to go.

oregonsharkman

I got the Optima yellow top a couple of years ago. I pulled my engine and tranny over a year ago and left the negative lead hooked up to the battery (helps fight frame rust) I got pre-occupied and the battery remained in the car for over a year (garaged ). I got around to charging the battery last week...........It didn't even need it! Still read almost 13 volts

Paul L

Take your ruler to the store but I believe you will be looking for a Group 34 (if you choose red).

Durango_Boy

The red is smaller than the yellow but not by much. I've been using top post batteries in my Vette since I bought it. That was one of the first things I did was ditch the side post terminals.

The top posts of the Optima don't have to be used, but I think they make it very handy when trying to jump yourself or another car.

Brass Pass

I bought mine at the local Costco also. The price can't be beat. I paid more for a 6volt Optima red top used in my Farmall Cub tractor by buying from an internet vendor than I paid for the vettes 12volt Optima red top from Costco.

I also bought a CTEK US3300 battery charger to keep the Optima fresh during non-use periods of extended duration.

Durango_Boy

I agree. If you spend the coin for a good Optima battery, then get a good battery tender. You can get an easy five or six years out of a good tended battery, and that's with 13V+ the whole way.

68 L71

JUST BOUGHT A RED TOP TODAY FOR MY C5, 185 BUCKS, HAS BOTH TOP POSTS AND SIDE MOUNTS. 800 CCA, MY MECHANIC SWEARS BY THEM, SHOULD FIT. IT WAS 11" TOP LENGTH, 7" TALL, SAME WIDTH

Durango_Boy

The stock hold down may not work, and a custom one will need to be worked up...but it'll fit in the cavity just fine.

682XLR8

Bought a red top for my truck(84 GMC) the other day, and the right hold-down was included. Found it in that cover that snaps on to the topalong with the instructions

Durango_Boy

Maybe only a few models come with hold downs. Or, maybe at some vendors, they remove the caps and sell only the battery.

682XLR8

Think next up is a yellow top for the Vette. I like the idea of a tender for those weeks I can't drive it for one reason or another.
What kind do you recommend?

Durango_Boy

This is what I have and it keeps my Optima right at 13.5V.
http://batterytender.com/product_info.php?products_id=2

682XLR8

Thanks I'll check into it

jr9170

OPTIMA Red Top in my 70