Optima mount
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Monmouth County NJ
Optima mount
Just came off the Sears web site and it doesn't look like the Platinums will fit in the Vette. What did everyone do to mount the Optimums in the Vette. If I recall right, (can't look now) the Vette uses a clamp at the base of the battery. I didn't think that the Optima has such mounts on the casing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 102
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
I bought some mounts at the Hot Rod Nationals last month I was able to make fit my Vette, but no you cannot just drop in an Optima and have it bolt in place.
FWIW I drove around for 2 summers without it bolted down with no issues
FWIW I drove around for 2 summers without it bolted down with no issues
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,826
Likes: 221
From: Hillsboro OR
on that statement. I just installed a Red Top in my 03 Coupe last weekend. It sat right in place in the holder and the stock mounting block securely holds it there. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 102
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
The red top 75/35 size slides in and clamps in place just like the stock battery.
Mine is secured just fine with the stock clamp.
A common mistake many people make when installing the battery, is they just drop it in and attempt to tighten the clamp, and find it doesn't work. There is a small lip that catches the rear of the battery base, and you have to make sure the battery slides rearward under that lip when installing it. The stock clamp is just a wedge, that pushes the battery rearward, and keeps it secured in that lip...it can't work if the battery is sitting on top of the lip.
The larger 34/78 size Optima does need a different hold-down clamp, it's available from Optima.
Mine is secured just fine with the stock clamp.
A common mistake many people make when installing the battery, is they just drop it in and attempt to tighten the clamp, and find it doesn't work. There is a small lip that catches the rear of the battery base, and you have to make sure the battery slides rearward under that lip when installing it. The stock clamp is just a wedge, that pushes the battery rearward, and keeps it secured in that lip...it can't work if the battery is sitting on top of the lip.
The larger 34/78 size Optima does need a different hold-down clamp, it's available from Optima.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
My yellow top came with the proper mount, I just made sure to request it at the time of purchase. I didn't buy it at Sears, I got mine at a battery shop (Batteries +) and they had a stash of mounts in the back room. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 102
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
The red top 75/35 size slides in and clamps in place just like the stock battery.
Mine is secured just fine with the stock clamp.
A common mistake many people make when installing the battery, is they just drop it in and attempt to tighten the clamp, and find it doesn't work. There is a small lip that catches the rear of the battery base, and you have to make sure the battery slides rearward under that lip when installing it. The stock clamp is just a wedge, that pushes the battery rearward, and keeps it secured in that lip...it can't work if the battery is sitting on top of the lip.
The larger 34/78 size Optima does need a different hold-down clamp, it's available from Optima.
Mine is secured just fine with the stock clamp.
A common mistake many people make when installing the battery, is they just drop it in and attempt to tighten the clamp, and find it doesn't work. There is a small lip that catches the rear of the battery base, and you have to make sure the battery slides rearward under that lip when installing it. The stock clamp is just a wedge, that pushes the battery rearward, and keeps it secured in that lip...it can't work if the battery is sitting on top of the lip.
The larger 34/78 size Optima does need a different hold-down clamp, it's available from Optima.