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Quick battery question

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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 11:33 AM
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Default Quick battery question

Hi guys

im out to buy a new battery today for my 68 corvette 350. Group 34 is the correct battery size right?
my car guy said that with a little minor modification he can get a group 65 to fit. Is that possible? Has anyone done it? Which size would be the suggested drop in size?

thanks!
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 12:02 PM
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why would you do that? The 34 is the correct size and it was good enough for a 427 with at least 11.0:1 compression. The 65 is considerably larger, those "little" modifications may not be so wise.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 04:14 PM
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Did your car guy have one hand on the compartment door and his other hand on a jigsaw? Tell him you think his idea would be a bubba down-grade.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 04:17 PM
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That’s what I suspected. I think the group 34 battery should be enough for the car.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 04:23 PM
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I believe you were on here last week asking about battery brands? What did you come up with as far as warranty, price and cranking amps?
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by titanle
That’s what I suspected. I think the group 34 battery should be enough for the car.
Thank God. I thought you might have said dual batteries and dual alternators.

In which case, I know your car guy.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 05:44 PM
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These are the ones I found so far

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.e...000846818.html

https://www.costco.ca/Optima-D34M-Ba...100420769.html

https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/NAB3402

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/eversta.../6000195362601

Canadian Tire also has a Motomaster AGM but I can't find the specs online
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 06:15 PM
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Like mentioned before, that Blue Optima is a boat battery and cost 40% more than their car battery (Optima Red).
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 06:25 PM
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I started a 454 with a 25 buck Walmart lawnmower battery.

Last edited by derekderek; Jan 5, 2019 at 06:25 PM.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 07:13 PM
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Okay I'm just going to with with an Odyssey battery. Which of these is the correct one? 34-PC1500 https://odysseybattery.ca/product/34-pc1500/ or 34/78 PC1500DT
https://odysseybattery.ca/product/34-78-pc1500dt/

The specs look very similar, the latter has side posts in addition to the top posts.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 07:59 PM
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Not familiar with a 1968 battery cables. Do you need top post or side post?

Someone on this forum said that the more plates in a battery, the more power. But also the more plates the more likely they will be damaged because they are thinner.
That's what your second battery states: more plates.
Seems like a lot of money. IDK

Wait and see what others say about the Odyssey.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 08:19 PM
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The battery in there now is top post. The positive cable has just enough length to reach the post whereas the negative cable is longer and has more room to play with.

I read a few threads here, some people praise the odyssey others say optima.
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 09:14 PM
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Old Jan 5, 2019 | 09:15 PM
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I run the above battery
weighs 15lbs
runs a Mallory mini starter
to a 11.2:1 427 sbc
without a hitch
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 09:29 PM
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The dual terminal is the reason for the added expense. If you don't need it, don't pay the extra. The dual terminal is also slightly wider, about 1/4 inch but shouldn't be a factor if you need the dual terminal.

Does the '68 have top terminal cables? My '73 uses side terminals is why I ask.

Good luck... GUSTO
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 11:02 PM
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I've been using Interstate's MTP-78DT in a number of applications and will buy one for my '68 L36 when it is time for it's next battery. It has GR 34 dimensions, dual terminal which I like to use in case a battery is needed temporally for something that has side terminals. It is 800 CCA and get them for about $125.

I've used this battery in a C5 that had a aftermarket sound system and the dual terminal came in handy, really simplified hook-up in comparison to only having only the side terminals. Other applications include a '65 Impala SS, and my daily driver '79 Malibu.
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 11:13 PM
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I would recommend the battery with dual posts. My car uses side posts but when you have to put the battery charger on or jump start the car the top posts make things a lot easier. I use the plastic caps on the top posts when not needed.
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Old Jan 7, 2019 | 05:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Thank God. I thought you might have said dual batteries and dual alternators.

In which case, I know your car guy.
now look here bigbird, maybe he wants to put a 7.3 powerstroke in there and he'll need those duels!

FYI, braille lithiums are about the best you can ask for... if you can afford em

Last edited by naramlee; Jan 7, 2019 at 05:12 AM.
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Old Jan 7, 2019 | 07:14 PM
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I stopped by my local walmart and they had an in store special on optima yellow tops, $50 off so I went with it. They didn't have the 34/78 in stock so I had one ordered, should be here by the end of the week. The model number for that battery is 8014-045
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Old Jan 7, 2019 | 07:36 PM
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I guess you just hate the color red (hint-hint) First you wanted a Blue Optima boat battery and now you want a Yellow Optima deep Cycle battery.

From Optima web site:
Yellow Top. Deep Cycle
Ideal for trucks with lots of accessories such as stereos, auxiliary lighting and electric winches. Can be discharged (deep) and recharged (cycle) throughout winter storage also.
In laymans terms you can run all kinds of stuff with the engine off and not ruin the battery. But is that your intensions?

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 7, 2019 at 07:37 PM.
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