Battery
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 184
From: Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Battery
Aside from what the manual says and just like tires, most have deviated from what came with your cars.
What size battery or group size, CCA?
Top or side posts?
Recycled lead or virgin lead batteries like Diehard Premium?
I claim ignorance on the subject of Optima batteries and their benefits for use in early C3 cars. At this moment I can't see justification to spend twice as much for a part time use vehicle.
What size battery or group size, CCA?
Top or side posts?
Recycled lead or virgin lead batteries like Diehard Premium?
I claim ignorance on the subject of Optima batteries and their benefits for use in early C3 cars. At this moment I can't see justification to spend twice as much for a part time use vehicle.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
"Top or side posts?"
On 68-72 cars the configuration of the battery cables dictates whether a top terminal or side terminal battery is used.
For example, the cables in 70-72 cars are for use with side terminal batteries.
Regards,
Alan
"Top or side posts?"
On 68-72 cars the configuration of the battery cables dictates whether a top terminal or side terminal battery is used.
For example, the cables in 70-72 cars are for use with side terminal batteries.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 935
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
On my 69 the cables are side post. This makes connecting the battery quite a bit more difficult. I always assumed they were all side post for convenience? Was it common for them to be side posts?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi x,
The batteries used during the 68 model year production were of the top post configuration.
Top post batteries continued to be used during 69 model year production until about car # 22000 when the change to a side terminal battery was made which continued in use through at least the 72 model year production.
Regards,
Alan
The batteries used during the 68 model year production were of the top post configuration.
Top post batteries continued to be used during 69 model year production until about car # 22000 when the change to a side terminal battery was made which continued in use through at least the 72 model year production.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
early cars called for a group 24 battery, not sure if that changed. I can easily fit a group 34 in my 68 battery box with no worries of the top terminals hitting.
a battery is one of the things I never cheap out on. I run Ac Delco batteries in just about everything, and I put an antique auto battery i my vette. Modern battery made to look original. Its pricey but they claim they will hold a charge up to a year.
FWIW- I used to love optima batteries, I have one approaching 10 years old that is still good. 2 months back bought a brand new yellow top, dead cell right out of the store.
a battery is one of the things I never cheap out on. I run Ac Delco batteries in just about everything, and I put an antique auto battery i my vette. Modern battery made to look original. Its pricey but they claim they will hold a charge up to a year.
FWIW- I used to love optima batteries, I have one approaching 10 years old that is still good. 2 months back bought a brand new yellow top, dead cell right out of the store.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 935
Likes: 20
From: Indianapolis Indiana
My vin is around 19000. It has side posts cables in it. So I guess maybe someone changed mine? They don't look new but even an old changeover wouldn't look new I guess.
Last edited by xpoc454; Jul 13, 2017 at 03:58 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Wherever you buy the battery, they should have a catalog that details the correct battery for your car.
I get my batteries at Wal-Mart. They're made by the same mfgr., have a decent warranty, and are reasonably priced. Been doing that for years with no problems.
I get my batteries at Wal-Mart. They're made by the same mfgr., have a decent warranty, and are reasonably priced. Been doing that for years with no problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi x,
Sometimes you have to believe the car.
While I'd expect to see top terminal cables in your car????
I guess you could look closely to see if there are signs that they were replaced.
Regards,
Alan
Sometimes you have to believe the car.
While I'd expect to see top terminal cables in your car????
I guess you could look closely to see if there are signs that they were replaced.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 46,602
Likes: 109
From: Down in Bulldog country
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23
My '69 built in Jan 1969 and uses the top post style. It did have side terminals when I initially got the car, but after having to replace the cables I went with the correct ones. Easier to keep a trickle charger on anyway.
And replacing that positive cable is not something I want to repeat anytime soon...
And replacing that positive cable is not something I want to repeat anytime soon...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...264#about-item
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 184
From: Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
I have a van that hasn't been used much during the last 3 years. The battery (Max from Walmart) has been discharged completely and sits sometimes for months at a time between jump starts (3 - 4 times) but this week this battery won't hold a charge and I had to replace (bought 01/11).
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
from a CCA point of view, buy you the biggest CCA you can find for your budget.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
The highest CCA battery that will fit in the space from Walmart. Been in there for 5 years now.
You can spend more $$ on a battery but it doesn't mean it's a better battery.
I have a Walmart battery that is 13 years old and still holding a charge.
You can spend more $$ on a battery but it doesn't mean it's a better battery.
I have a Walmart battery that is 13 years old and still holding a charge.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
from a CCA point of view, buy you the biggest CCA you can find for your budget.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
if your car sits a lot then you will see the difference in the car barely starting in 2 weeks with a cheaper battery, vs 4 months from now ( or sitting all winter like mine does ) a high CCA battery will still start your car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the car sits a lot, you should either put a GOOD trickle charger on it (a cheap one will overcharge the battery and kill it just sitting there) or have a battery disconnect. I have the latter and have no problem starting the car...even if it has sat for a couple of months or more. The disconnect also makes it convenient to work on anything electrical without having to REMOVE battery cables.