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I have an Optima in my '63 and my '72. The one in the '63 seems to be doing fine, but the one in my '72 seems to have trouble holding a charge for long periods, even if disconneced. I may replace it. What batteries have you found best?
The best one Ive found is an Optima. Which one do you have? If your car sits alot Id get a Yellow Top. My Firebird sits undriven for long periods of time and always fires right up. I dont even disconnect it. Ive had a couple of Red Tops and I liked them but Im sold on the Yellows now.
If your original clock is working it will eventually pull down the battery. I keep one of those battery float chargers on mine if I think I won't be driving it within more than a weeks time. I have an Optima red top by the way...
Optima here as well...I ran it down dead about 3 weeks ago when I was trying to get the throttle cable installed, but that was due to me forgetting to disconnect the battery, while I had both doors open to get up under the dash. However, I charged it up again on the battery charger, and it holds a good charge now; even threw in a battery disconnect switch to prevent any further drain.
I thought that my Red Top was going bad in my Vette because of the drain; turns out that the alternator's charging post was loose from a rebuild and not making good contact. Opened up the alternator, tightened down the post, and I'm getting no problems with the car now!
Soon as the battery in our Jag dies (it's on its last legs, I'm sure; the guy who owned the car before us bought the battery back in 95) we're gonna replace it with an Optima Red Top.
Pull the fuses on the components you know draw voltage and see if you've got something drawing voltage you weren't aware of, before you condemn the battery.
I wrecked an Optima red top with a parasitic drain from a short in the starter. New starter, new battery...all is well. The Optima lasted much longer than a regular battery with the drain problem.
For the money, the best battery is a Kirkland Signature from Costco. They're made by Johnson Controls and have a 100 month warranty, free replacement for 3 years, rated #1 by Consumer Reports. Costco sells Optimas as well in case you plan on driving upside down.