The battery in my 78 recently kicked the bucket. I have been very particular with my girl since I have had her for the last 4 years. She is completley origional with only 25K. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I am not too knowledgeable on batteries. I have heard that they can leak gas and cause corrision...I have heard that there are "tar toppers" that give the battery a more origional appearance. Is there a certain brand out there I should look at?
ALSO, this car sits much of the time...I am wondering what I could do to keep this from happening again. i.e. the battery losing its charge...
Please help...

 

I haven't had a Tar Top since the stone age when they were the only battery available, but I've heard that the new ones are not that hot. I have Auto Zone batteries in my 56 and 64 and they sit most of the time. I disconnect the negative cable at the battery when the cars are on their lifts and hook up a battery float charger ( I use the Chicago Electric brand available at Harbour Freight Tools, normally around $15-$16, but on sale quite often for under $10). I use a lamp timer available at Wal Mart and set it to turn on the float charger once a day for and hour or two. You can leave the float chargers on 24/7 and they will not overcharge your battery, but a couple of hours a day will maintain the battery's charge. I also use one on my C5 with an Optima Red Top if it's not going to be driven for 3-4 weeks and also one on my lawn tractor. Never had a problem with the float chargers or the batteries going dead since.


[Modified by JoesC5, 3:31 PM 2/14/2004]

 

My suggestion is to use an Optima Red top for everyday use - no gas leakage problems as it's sealed. For show, or when your trrying to impress the "original snobs" buy one of the correct aftermarkets and put that in. My understanding is that there are only Poly tops now available, the company that used to have real tar tops stopped offering them

 

Optima red tops at Costco are only 99 bucks..........thats my sugestion :seeya :steering: :flag

 

'66 was the last year for "tar-top" batteries - they were replaced by the hard-case flat-top Delco R59 Energizer in '67. Reproduction tar-top batteries (and R59's and Energizers through '73) are still being made by Restoration Battery in Cincinnati. However, they're "old-tech" inside and don't last as long as a current Delco replacement. :thumbs:

 

Since your battery is located in a rear compartment, it's not a cosmetic issue, so buy a good, but reasonably priced battery. I think your BCI group number is 70 with a 74 optional. The 74 is about an inch longer and has more plates and acid for higher CCA. Both are common side terminal batteries, There are also "dual termimal" batteries that have both side terminals and top posts, but they are more expensive, and you don't need the top post terminals.

The batteries sold by Costco and autoparts stores like Autozone and Pep Boys are the same and manufactured by Johnson Controls. The only difference is the stick on labels, which can be peeled of to leave a plain black "generic" battery. The catalogs should list your car and the base and optional group numbers.

These maintenance free batteries have a low natural discharge rate, but if the car sits, they should be charged once a month and especially before driving. Repeatedly placing a cranking load on any partially discharged battery will significantly shorten its life.

Another alternative is to leave a Battery Tender or equivalent connected when the car is sitting. These devices automatically charge the battery when voltage drops, then shut off until the voltage drops again.

These batteries are good quality with about a five-year warranty and typically cost about $40-$50, but sometimes go on sale for $10 off. With good battery maintenance as I described above, you can expect a nominal life of seven to eight years, but I've gotten as much as 12.

Disconnecting the battery when the car is not in use is a good idea as this will elminate the slight current leakage through the alternator and only leave the battery's natural discharge rate, which is about 1 percent a day at room temperature - less when colder and greater when warmer.

Duke


[Modified by SWCDuke, 8:14 AM 2/15/2004]

 

Thanks everyone....Great information.

 

i recommend the base model from auto zone (~40$). then install one of those disconnectors with the green **** you loosen to isolate it during storage to stop slow draining.

 

This AC Delco battery is still going strong in a 1979 after 8 years. And five months of winter storage each year.