Bettery Hold Down ???
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cumberland RI
Bettery Hold Down ???
I have a 1970 with a top post battery sitting on a block of plywood in the interior battery compartment. I finally got around to researching how to restore this. I didn't realize the original was a side post model. Also, the hold down relies on a clamp that fits into the groove on the bottom of the battery, not the over-the-top method of most cars.
Do I need to buy a special, factory correct battery (probably not worth the expense)? How do you guys hold down your batteries? Shoudl I care about this? :confused:
Do I need to buy a special, factory correct battery (probably not worth the expense)? How do you guys hold down your batteries? Shoudl I care about this? :confused:
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Re: Battery Hold Down ??? (vett70)
I am watching this post as well. My 1980 seems to have something built in to hold down one side of the battery, a slot like part at the bottom. But I don't see anything for the other side.
So far, the local drag strip has never looked. I have the area stuffed with pieces of styrofoam to keep the battery from moving. I may add an over the top retainer soon, and will just use some lengths of "all thread" that will come up from under the car. A nut welded on and a washer on the bottom, then another washer and nut from the top to clamp it to the bottom of the battery compartment. Add a cross strap and a couple more nuts from the top and it should work.
So far, the local drag strip has never looked. I have the area stuffed with pieces of styrofoam to keep the battery from moving. I may add an over the top retainer soon, and will just use some lengths of "all thread" that will come up from under the car. A nut welded on and a washer on the bottom, then another washer and nut from the top to clamp it to the bottom of the battery compartment. Add a cross strap and a couple more nuts from the top and it should work.
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (paul79)
Your 70 definitely had a side post battery from the factory. 68 to early 69's had top posts, then they converted. Also, unlike Paul's picture, I believe that your 70 side post should have the "posts" facing forward. Somewhere along the line, GM did convert to having the posts facing rearward. I believe that most batteries have the "groove" or "ledge" around the bottom to allow the use of the "stock" hold-down.
You do need to buy the correct "size" battery. I don't understand why you need plywood? The correct hold-downs are cheap...literally a few bux and are held with one bolt through the floor of the compartment into a nut plate riveted to the floor. Hope this helps. Chuck
You do need to buy the correct "size" battery. I don't understand why you need plywood? The correct hold-downs are cheap...literally a few bux and are held with one bolt through the floor of the compartment into a nut plate riveted to the floor. Hope this helps. Chuck
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From: Germantown Maryland
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (Chuck Gongloff)
The correct hold-downs are cheap...literally a few bux and are held with one bolt through the floor of the compartment into a nut plate riveted to the floor. Hope this helps. Chuck
Rivets facing up or down?
chris :flag
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (Clink69)
Chris. The nut plate is under the body. The battery retaining bolt goes down through the "hold-down", and into a threaded nut. I honestly don't remember which way the rivets go....too lazy to go look :) This is the "standard" retaining mechanism for virtually all sharks. IF somebody has cut off the side post ends and replaced them with top post ends, you've got a real PIA job in front of you replacing the positive cable. That cable runs through the driveshaft tunnel....around the trans...and up to the starter. It's very tough to install. It's also tough to get the old one out. Usually if the ends are cut off, there isn't enough length of wire to install "clamp on" side post terminals. Chuck
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (Chuck Gongloff)
Click on the ZIP catalog. BT 36 is the underbody plate, $5.00, BT 25 is the clamp, $5.00, and BT 43 is the bolt, $2.00. They also have the rivets listed. Chuck
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From: Michigan
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (Chuck Gongloff)
Your 70 definitely had a side post battery from the factory. 68 to early 69's had top posts, then they converted.
My late July '69 has side posts. Is this correct? Thought you might know off the top of your head.
Thanks,
Dwayne
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From: Spring, Texas
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (vett70)
Group sizes were once commonly used for batteries, but have changed over the years. Group "74" was a full-size battery (designed to fit sharks) with side posts. Group "24" was a full-size battery with top posts.
The hold down bracket uses an extension that is part of the molded plastic battery case and bolts into the bottom of the battery compartment (toward rear of car).
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:36 PM 11/23/2002]
The hold down bracket uses an extension that is part of the molded plastic battery case and bolts into the bottom of the battery compartment (toward rear of car).
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:36 PM 11/23/2002]
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Bettery Hold Down ??? (BigBlockVette)
Yes, Dwayne. I believe that your July 69 built car would have side posts. My 69 is a July built car too, #27963. Don't remember exactly when the change was from top to side posts, i.e. the date, but the NCRS JG says after SN 22081.
Also, that JG calls for the Delco R79S side post battery for all cars. I don't think that is correct. I think big block cars used the R89W....the HD battery. Chuck
Also, that JG calls for the Delco R79S side post battery for all cars. I don't think that is correct. I think big block cars used the R89W....the HD battery. Chuck
