69 Convertible Battery Hold down
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 9
69 Convertible Battery Hold down
Seasons Greetings!
Looking for a little advice from any experienced with a 69 convertible...I'm looking for any tips/tricks to get the battery hold down to work in my vette. My hands are too big in that tiny compartment to get the bolt started -- I've used long handled screwdrivers but figure that I can't be the only one whose ever struggled with this. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Looking for a little advice from any experienced with a 69 convertible...I'm looking for any tips/tricks to get the battery hold down to work in my vette. My hands are too big in that tiny compartment to get the bolt started -- I've used long handled screwdrivers but figure that I can't be the only one whose ever struggled with this. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 829
From: PA
The base of your battery is identical to the original, correct?
If it isn’t, that might be part of your problem.
If all is correct with the battery configuration, I would suggest putting some tape over the bolt to get an interference fit when you put it into the socket. Doing that allows you to have the bolt facing down without falling out. Use a 10”-12” extension and go straight down into the threaded mount. Set the bracket in a way so that you can pass through that and into the threaded mount easily.
Never a problem as long as the battery is correct.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
If it isn’t, that might be part of your problem.
If all is correct with the battery configuration, I would suggest putting some tape over the bolt to get an interference fit when you put it into the socket. Doing that allows you to have the bolt facing down without falling out. Use a 10”-12” extension and go straight down into the threaded mount. Set the bracket in a way so that you can pass through that and into the threaded mount easily.
Never a problem as long as the battery is correct.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Zip ties! Has to be all black zip ties to pass nhra tech inspection.
Also if your battery doesn't have a handle you can build one really easily
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
The base of your battery is identical to the original, correct?
If it isn’t, that might be part of your problem.
If all is correct with the battery configuration, I would suggest putting some tape over the bolt to get an interference fit when you put it into the socket. Doing that allows you to have the bolt facing down without falling out. Use a 10”-12” extension and go straight down into the threaded mount. Set the bracket in a way so that you can pass through that and into the threaded mount easily.
Never a problem as long as the battery is correct.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
If it isn’t, that might be part of your problem.
If all is correct with the battery configuration, I would suggest putting some tape over the bolt to get an interference fit when you put it into the socket. Doing that allows you to have the bolt facing down without falling out. Use a 10”-12” extension and go straight down into the threaded mount. Set the bracket in a way so that you can pass through that and into the threaded mount easily.
Never a problem as long as the battery is correct.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,143
Likes: 7,753
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
The battery hold down should have a oval hole. Elongated enough to have the bolt started, just, and slide it back against the rear wall. With the battery not yet installed! Walk battery in engaging the front lock mount on the bottom, then tilting back into place. Then slide the lock forward that already has the bolt started. If your hands are too big use a large screwdriver or small pry bar to slide the lock into place. Then just tighten the bolt. A 10 inch extension should be more than long enough.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 575
From: Pittsburgh PA
The battery hold down should have a oval hole. Elongated enough to have the bolt started, just, and slide it back against the rear wall. With the battery not yet installed! Walk battery in engaging the front lock mount on the bottom, then tilting back into place. Then slide the lock forward that already has the bolt started. If your hands are too big use a large screwdriver or small pry bar to slide the lock into place. Then just tighten the bolt. A 10 inch extension should be more than long enough.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski