[C2] Battery install
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 707
Likes: 45
From: Portland Oregon
Battery install
Gents
Searched the archives and could not find anything
Need to replace my battery in my 66 non ac car. I would like to use cheaper wet cell but looks like I will have to tip battery to install and be spilling acid. Even removing overflow tank
Any tips on how to install without tipping battery?
Optima in it now
Randy
Searched the archives and could not find anything
Need to replace my battery in my 66 non ac car. I would like to use cheaper wet cell but looks like I will have to tip battery to install and be spilling acid. Even removing overflow tank
Any tips on how to install without tipping battery?
Optima in it now
Randy
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 2,136
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I have a factory AC car, so I don't have this particular issue. However here are a few ideas from the archives:
1. Wrap battery in HD plastic garbage bag and also pad the fender area with a cheap blanket and towel for added protection.
2. Clean the top of the battery. Use duct tape to tape up the caps to the battery and any vent(s) to seal team off. Then tilt to remove. Again, pad the fender area.
Personally I like #2 as I can see and hold the battery better without slipping. A battery removal strap or vise-grips might also help to maneuver the battery and/or hold it better during removal.
Larry
1. Wrap battery in HD plastic garbage bag and also pad the fender area with a cheap blanket and towel for added protection.
2. Clean the top of the battery. Use duct tape to tape up the caps to the battery and any vent(s) to seal team off. Then tilt to remove. Again, pad the fender area.
Personally I like #2 as I can see and hold the battery better without slipping. A battery removal strap or vise-grips might also help to maneuver the battery and/or hold it better during removal.
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,681
Likes: 3,678
From: Central Arkansas
One trick is to work a thicker plastic bag around it first and seal it up before working it out. You could also pump the cells down with a vacuum pump to the plates in advance. Might not be too good on your vacuum pump hose and bottle however. Most of the maintenance free batteries seem to seal fairly tight at the caps - but they are vented in some manner. The two or three times I've replaced mine I've not spilled any battery acid.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,453
Likes: 8,910
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Don't over think this.
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 56
From: Attleboro MA
Don't over think this.
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Tom
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 329
From: Southold New York
Aside from batteries getting heavier (perhaps only my perception), changing one using a strap that attaches to the terminals makes it an easy job. Like the other posters, I've never spilled a drop of fluid. Don't overthink a process that people have been doing successfully for 50+ years.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Post #4 has it correct.....wear a back brace if you need to. I do when installing my 63 battery you can bet...
Tape the outboard battery holddown rod vertically to the inside fender with blue painter's tape before installing the battery....then install the battery, remove the tape and the install the holddown bracket...
If that rod slips sideways once the battery is in its a mother to get fished back upright again....
Tape the outboard battery holddown rod vertically to the inside fender with blue painter's tape before installing the battery....then install the battery, remove the tape and the install the holddown bracket...
If that rod slips sideways once the battery is in its a mother to get fished back upright again....
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Don't over think this.
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
https://www.ruralking.com/battery-52...nt=Catch%20All
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 31,104
Likes: 461
From: Wilmington N C
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
I agree w/the "don't over think this" comments. Just tie back the overflow /expansion tank w/something, and carefully lift / tilt it out. Its awkward to do, hard on the back, and tricky to not bang it into something nearby, but, if you do it slowly, you'll be okay. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,089
Likes: 1,131
From: NEW YORK
Gents
Searched the archives and could not find anything
Need to replace my battery in my 66 non ac car. I would like to use cheaper wet cell but looks like I will have to tip battery to install and be spilling acid. Even removing overflow tank
Any tips on how to install without tipping battery?
Optima in it now
Randy
Searched the archives and could not find anything
Need to replace my battery in my 66 non ac car. I would like to use cheaper wet cell but looks like I will have to tip battery to install and be spilling acid. Even removing overflow tank
Any tips on how to install without tipping battery?
Optima in it now
Randy
Wear grippy gloves.
Use FTF's painters tape rec.
If you spill a little acid no biggy just flush area with water.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,453
Likes: 8,910
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 414
From: Maine
Don't over think this.
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Jack
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 444
Don't over think this.
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Yes, you have to up end the battery to snake it into place. However modern batteries don't spill their acid when you do this.
I changed the battery in my '63 one week ago so I know of which I spea.... um, type.
Undo the straps which secure the expansion tank and swing it forward, holding it in place with something like a piece of coathanger wire. Once the tank is out of the way, access to the battery tray isn't too bad.
Don't over think it...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
The last battery I put in had no carry strap. I put it in three plastic grocery type bags (Do they still allow them in Portland?) and used their handles to hold on to. Made it easy to maneuver into place. When the battery is on the tray just cut the bags and pull them out. Dave
Dave
