How to install the Optima
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 889
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From: Veggie is not a word
How to install the Optima
After 5 years, my delco battery finally died. I purchased a new Optima red top at Costco since that is what everyone seems to suggest. However, when I went to install it, it does not seem to fit correctly. At the bottom front of the OE battery is a mounting block that bolts to the car and holds the battery in place. I tried using this setup with the battery alone and with the two height adjusters. None of the setups hold the battery in place correctly.
How is everyone else keeping their Optima battery from bouncing around in their engine compartment?
How is everyone else keeping their Optima battery from bouncing around in their engine compartment?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 557
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From: Gaithersburg MD
Optima makes a clamp that fits around the center cell. They sent me one for free when I called. I just told the what car and batterry. Their phone # is 888-867-8462 and their website is www.optimabatteries.com. You can also buy a cover for the redtop that cleans up the bay. It's about $15.00.
Goog Luck.
Goog Luck.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by YBNORML
Optima makes a clamp that fits around the center cell. They sent me one for free when I called. I just told the what car and batterry. Their phone # is 888-867-8462 and their website is www.optimabatteries.com. You can also buy a cover for the redtop that cleans up the bay. It's about $15.00.
Goog Luck.
Goog Luck.
The clamp is curved to fit around the center cell at the base of the battery. (You did buy the 34/78 version didn't you? 
)Also, make sure the battery is slid all the way back in the battery tray so it engages the lip at the rear side to hold it securely before tightening the clamp. HTH
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Which model Optima did you buy?
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
The clamp is curved to fit around the center cell at the base of the battery. (You did buy the 34/78 version didn't you? )Also, make sure the battery is slid all the way back in the battery tray so it engages the lip at the rear side to hold it securely before tightening the clamp. HTH
Yes I did. I just assumed that was the one we were talking about. I shouldn't have assumed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 889
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From: Veggie is not a word
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Which model Optima did you buy?
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Nope, you don't need any of the plastic trim. The battery itself fits perfectly.
The common mistake is not catching the rear of the battery in the hold-down channel on the battery tray.
If you just dropped it in, and attempted to tighten the clamp bolt, it won't work. Slide the battery forward, lift the front of it up slightly, and then slide it towards the rear of the tray until the lip of the battery is tucked in the rear channel. Then reinstall the front hold-down block and tighten the screw. You'll find it tightens up just fine.
The common mistake is not catching the rear of the battery in the hold-down channel on the battery tray.
If you just dropped it in, and attempted to tighten the clamp bolt, it won't work. Slide the battery forward, lift the front of it up slightly, and then slide it towards the rear of the tray until the lip of the battery is tucked in the rear channel. Then reinstall the front hold-down block and tighten the screw. You'll find it tightens up just fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside CA
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Which model Optima did you buy?
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
The 75/35 mounts just like stock....slide the rear of the battery under the lip in the tray, and tighten the clamp block to wedge it in place.
The larger 34/78 requires the special hold down clamp as mentioned above.
You will need to remove the clamp block to get the battery in place and then replace the block once battery is installed. Make sure to slide the lip of the battery under the lip on the battery tray on the back side.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: Veggie is not a word
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Nope, you don't need any of the plastic trim. The battery itself fits perfectly.
The common mistake is not catching the rear of the battery in the hold-down channel on the battery tray.
If you just dropped it in, and attempted to tighten the clamp bolt, it won't work. Slide the battery forward, lift the front of it up slightly, and then slide it towards the rear of the tray until the lip of the battery is tucked in the rear channel. Then reinstall the front hold-down block and tighten the screw. You'll find it tightens up just fine.
The common mistake is not catching the rear of the battery in the hold-down channel on the battery tray.
If you just dropped it in, and attempted to tighten the clamp bolt, it won't work. Slide the battery forward, lift the front of it up slightly, and then slide it towards the rear of the tray until the lip of the battery is tucked in the rear channel. Then reinstall the front hold-down block and tighten the screw. You'll find it tightens up just fine.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by UNX PGMR
Thank you for the help. I tried it again using your directions and it fits perfectly. I must have missed the back lip the first time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Mine fit well, and the original clamp fit well too. I didn't have to use the one that came with the battery. However ... when I was tightening up the holddown, the socket fell off. It's either still in the wheel well somewhere, or laying on the side of the road .... 
