Army Vette

Time for a new battery, what would you recommend?
In the winter time I drive the car at least once a month.

62Jeff

I really like the Optima batteries because I can disconnect the power to them, come back 6 or 8 months later, hook the power up, and the car starts right up with no problem. Several of my cars only get started every few months (up to 8 or 9 months between runs).

I also like that they don't leak on my restored chassis, except under the most odd of circumstances.

Procrastination Racing

I don't know, I am still running my J. C. Penney's Lifetime battery I bought in 1977. Well, just had it replaced again last year, for free, so I haven't had to buy one in awhile for my '68.

More serious note (the above is true, though), I have had the WalMart batteries in some of the others. They usually last about 6 months less than the stated warranty, so I get a free one. So you buy your first, then keep getting them free after that.

Good way to go if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

I used to do Sears Die Hard batteries, but their warranty became junk and the cost got too high to simply throw away every 3 years.

KyleDallas

When I worked for Exide Batteries I was privy to data that stated the
average service life for any automotive battery regardless of brand or
type was 36 months. If you get more you've got icing on the cake...

Something to consider when looking at cost....

The adjustment/warranties are written if favor of the battery companies.We used to stick 24 month labels on the same batteries as the 60 month batteries...98% of the time you are not getting a higher quality battery, just a different warranty package...one where you loose.

Here's how if works... instead of buying a cheap $39 dollar battery
you buy the 72 month battery for $79.. so right off the bat you've spent $1 more than you would have for 2 batteries.. You did this for "reliability and peace of mind" that a "higher quality" battery would
give you. Our batteries at the Austin, Texas Exide branch came
in Blank with no stickers/warranty... we attached the warranty stickers
right there at the Distribution Center... our No label, 24 month, and 72
month batteries were all the same... only the stickers were different.
Most warranties are Adjustments to price... not free replacement..
Free replacement is usually 30,60,90 days... after that you will recieve
a nominal credit towards another battery of the same brand.

I buy $39 dollar batteries and expect them to last 3 years...
and get fresh batteries every 3-4 years... about $13 a year if you
break it down.

5thvet

They are pricey but good. Model 34 is what you would need. Since it is such a pita to change batteries in these c2's, I want one that I only have to change every 4 or 5 years.

Army Vette

Thanks for the information - I am now on the Optima site so good 'ol model 34 eh.
Much appreciated.

65 vette dude

Just bought a AC DELCO 24-72 and put one of those fake tar top plastic tops on it. Nicceee! Really gives it that old school look. The only problem is due to the thickness of the plastic top,the spring ring cables don't sit down as far as I would like.

MikeM

The $39.95 Wal-Mart battery is the best deal going for me. I have a lot of vehicles to keep running. I never saw any advantage to the high priced ones. None. I've bought many Wal-Mart batterys over the years. Never had one quit before the warranty expired. Many lasted a year longer.

As for as battery life expectancy, I can remember 30 years ago, my new car batteries would last three years if I was lucky. Now, for some reason, my experience has been that they last 7-8 years or longer. Again, I don't know why OEM batteries last that long. I've not seen an aftermarket one do that. May be because the new vehicles have better regulated charging systems with the solid state regulators.

65coupe

I like to buy/replace things with as close to stock as possible so I just put in a 84 month Delco. I do the longest life Delco I can get so I don't have to do this remove and replace procedure very often. If your an NCRS guy, they deduct half the points vs a non stock battery and you do not have the cost of buying a repro battery.

ctjackster

I am sooo done with automotive and marine batteries that may or may not leave you stranded. I simply have no tolerence for that chit in my life anymore.

So I pay more and buy an Optima, and have NEVER had a dead battery situation since doing so. Aboslutely worth it.

I also have two Optimas in my Avalanche (gotta love a dual battery kit ) and two blue top Optimas in my boat.

MikeM

I am dazed and confused by this remark. Are you somehow implying that if you "pay more" you're immune from your battery dying on you?

If you're paying attention to how your engine cranks, over time, you can get a jump on battery replacement before it's DOA. Wintertime may be an exception. Maybe.



[QUOTE=ctjackster;
So I pay more and buy an Optima, and have NEVER had a dead battery situation since doing so. Aboslutely worth it.

StingU2

with Mike. I too have a $40 Wal-Mart battery and has yet to give me any type of troubles. I have bought Wal-Mart batteries for my kids while away at college, knowing that if they had any troubles they could go to the nearest Wal-Mart for an exchange. With no questions asked! I see no need in the advantage of having a high priced battery. Unless you are one of those guys that just have to have the best on the block.

ctjackster

[QUOTE=MikeM;1564819576]I am dazed and confused by this remark. Are you somehow implying that if you "pay more" you're immune from your battery dying on you?

If you're paying attention to how your engine cranks, over time, you can get a jump on battery replacement before it's DOA. Wintertime may be an exception. Maybe.



[QUOTE=ctjackster;
So I pay more and buy an Optima, and have NEVER had a dead battery situation since doing so. Aboslutely worth it.[/QUOTE]


sorry to go so fast on ya Mike.

I have found that the Optima is the best battery out there, hands down.

I have used all manner of other brands' batteries, and sooner or later, somehow, I get left with a dead battery or at least one that is incapable of turning the engine over enough times to get her started. (Another odd fact of life - the worse your engine is at starting right away, the more likely your battery will be marginal).

I really don't care to get even close to finiding out if the battery is going bad, it takes a dead battery, stranding you, to find out for sure. And I can afford to avoid that.

But, I see guys in this thread touting a less expensive option. Hance my admission that the Optima ain't the cheapest choice out there.

How's that?

62Jeff

Jack, I'll help you out and throw myself under the bus on this thread, distracting everyone else with my obvious stupidity.

I not only buy Optimas, but I replace them every few years for the heck of it to minimize the chances that I'll get stuck. My own experiences with Sears Die-Easy batteries is they rarely gave me warning signs before failure. They didn't wear out and crank slower, they just wouldn't crank the motor at all one night when leaving the office.

Mr D.

I bought a Optima blue top today for my car hauler winch, paid $227.00

Butt jammed in Key West again (no pun intended).

1-2-b-67L89

Now this is some interesting reading , and here I thought I was buying a better battery. I do like that ol' school look as 65 vette dude pointed out.

Jimbo64

Love my red top optima-----nary a problem yet after a couple years.

Tom/99

I've had very good luck with Delco batteries. I just replaced the seven year old battery in my 65 coupe. Not bad for a battery that spent a year in a body shop getting run down. I got over two years use out of it after I got my car back. The Delco battery in my 85 Oldsmobile, gave me good service for ten years, ten months. I have Delco batteries in five of my eight vehicles.

TonyFiorello

Just purchased a nice 1965 Corvette 327/365 Coupe. Needed a battery so I read this thread. Wrapped the motor and fender in soft towels, disconnected the battery, removed the overflow straps, removed the two battery hold-down wing nuts, slid the top battery hold down bracket out of the hole, clamped my huge Vise-Grips to the positive battery terminal and lifted it right out. 20 minutes start to finish! Thanks a million for the tips.

warrenmj

Another vote for Walmart batteries. Have been using them in my drivers and C2 for years. Had one in my DD Honda for 7.5 years before replacing it and it was parked outside in Colorado.