Optima Battery Too Small
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
Optima Battery Too Small
My AC Delco battery finally went out (6 years on the nose), and I decided to get an Optima red-top 75/35 to replace it. The problem is, that the Optima battery is quite a bit smaller than the Delco and the small plastic bracket Chevy provides isn't big enough to hold the battery in place. Now what? It's beautiful outside today (PA) but I can't drive my car until I get this new battery installed. Help!!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
It fits.
The most common error when installing a new battery, is that people don't realize there is a lip at the rear of the battery tray. They just drop it in, and attempt to tighten the clamp...and find out it doesn't work.
Here's what you can do, lift the battery up slightly bring it towards the front of the tray, and kind of slide it in rearwards with the rear of the battery down tight against the tray...push it back like this until it catches under the lip, then try tightening the clamp again. I think you'll find your problem has been solved.
Also, for those with the larger 34/78 version, that one does require a special clamp from Optima. The above instructions apply to the 75/35 model.
The most common error when installing a new battery, is that people don't realize there is a lip at the rear of the battery tray. They just drop it in, and attempt to tighten the clamp...and find out it doesn't work.
Here's what you can do, lift the battery up slightly bring it towards the front of the tray, and kind of slide it in rearwards with the rear of the battery down tight against the tray...push it back like this until it catches under the lip, then try tightening the clamp again. I think you'll find your problem has been solved.
Also, for those with the larger 34/78 version, that one does require a special clamp from Optima. The above instructions apply to the 75/35 model.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 754
Likes: 15
From: Denton Texas
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by bernardomd
It worked!!! You're a genius!!!
Thata boy Tom!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Z QQH 6
Why did you tell him that? Now he'll just stand there at the Cruise In with that beer in his handand make everyone come to him to talk .
Thata boy Tom!
Thata boy Tom!
Wayne
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 bernardomd
It worked!!! You're a genius!!!
A simple "your smart" would have done.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
I just replaced the AC Delco battery in my 04 Z with the 75/35-OR battery; as Y2Kvert4me pointed out it fits PERFECTLY
However, my 04 battery terminals connect via the top posts and in order to get the factory terminals to fit onto the Optima posts, I had to connect them at a 30-45 degree angle (this will allow me to use the side posts for something else).
Is this the correct way to mount the terminals?? There didn't seem to be enough slack in the cables to mount them from the sides (not sure I'd want to do this anyway) and they simply would not fit exactly like the stock AC Delco did (which was straight from the front); the factory terminals have a 90 degree bend in them and it would be difficult to unbend and make them fit over the Optima front posts
Thanks guys for the info
This is what it looks like:
However, my 04 battery terminals connect via the top posts and in order to get the factory terminals to fit onto the Optima posts, I had to connect them at a 30-45 degree angle (this will allow me to use the side posts for something else).
Is this the correct way to mount the terminals?? There didn't seem to be enough slack in the cables to mount them from the sides (not sure I'd want to do this anyway) and they simply would not fit exactly like the stock AC Delco did (which was straight from the front); the factory terminals have a 90 degree bend in them and it would be difficult to unbend and make them fit over the Optima front posts
Thanks guys for the info
This is what it looks like:
Last edited by LarryW; Mar 27, 2006 at 12:10 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
It fits.
The most common error when installing a new battery, is that people don't realize there is a lip at the rear of the battery tray. They just drop it in, and attempt to tighten the clamp...and find out it doesn't work.
Here's what you can do, lift the battery up slightly bring it towards the front of the tray, and kind of slide it in rearwards with the rear of the battery down tight against the tray...push it back like this until it catches under the lip, then try tightening the clamp again. I think you'll find your problem has been solved.
Also, for those with the larger 34/78 version, that one does require a special clamp from Optima. The above instructions apply to the 75/35 model.
The most common error when installing a new battery, is that people don't realize there is a lip at the rear of the battery tray. They just drop it in, and attempt to tighten the clamp...and find out it doesn't work.
Here's what you can do, lift the battery up slightly bring it towards the front of the tray, and kind of slide it in rearwards with the rear of the battery down tight against the tray...push it back like this until it catches under the lip, then try tightening the clamp again. I think you'll find your problem has been solved.
Also, for those with the larger 34/78 version, that one does require a special clamp from Optima. The above instructions apply to the 75/35 model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Originally Posted by bernardomd
It worked!!! You're a genius!!!
