Mr 74

I am not having any luck securing the battery in the battery compartment. What is the trick to tightening the clamp against the battery?

I have a NAPA battery 7875 with the side posts facing the rear. Every time I position the battery and tighten the bolt on the clamp the battery is still able to move. There is a small lip near the bottom of the battery that is on the clamp side of the compartment. I assume this is used for clamping the battery down. The lip is very small and almost unnoticeable.

I have attached a pdf of the battery compartment from the 74 AIM.

Thanks

Dave

leadfoot4

The battery needs to be the correct width, in order for the #6 clamp to "hook" the lip at the bottom of the battery case, and then the bolt holds the #3 clamp in place, after it has "hooked" the lip on the other side of the battery.

mike48750

My #4 and 5 were long gone, vaporized from road salt I assume, when I got my car. I found #6 under the battery! You have to love living in the salt belt. Mike

Alan 71

Hi Dave,
If the battery has a groove in it's case to receive the lip on item #1 you may need to flatten #1 a little so it extends further and is able to grab the battery case.
I had to do that.
Regards,
Alan

Mr 74

Thanks for the responses everyone. After another half hour this morning of wrestling with it, I was finally able to secure the battery.

It appears the battery may not have the dimensions of an original OEM battery, but it will fit if you position it just right.

Dave

oldC3guy

I'm having the same problem as Mr74 with my 1978. I suspect that the dimension of the battery is the problem. As I am ready for a new battery does anyone know what the original battery dimensions is/are so that the base lips of the battery are compatible with the holddowns (#6 and #1)? I simply cannot make it work with the battery I have. Thanks in advance.