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Tar Top Battery Help

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Old May 2, 2007 | 05:51 PM
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Default Tar Top Battery Help

I am helping a friend prepare his '57 fuelie for NCRS judging. One of the items to work on is the Battery. He has a repro poly top battery. We heard that you can add tar (?) to the top of the battery and get it to pass, or at least minimize the point deduction.

Is this true? Are there products out there to do this? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Mark
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Old May 3, 2007 | 02:28 PM
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If you're really artistic, ordinary roofing tar can be applied, but it's unlikely to get past an experienced judge.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
If you're really artistic, ordinary roofing tar can be applied, but it's unlikely to get past an experienced judge.
Thanks John! This might be a stupid question, but does anyone sell a reproduction tar top battery? Would a repro tar top score better than a repro poly top?

We actually just had the car judged at the Speedway Regional Meet in Charlotte. He got a Top Flight award (98%), and will be going soon for his PV, but he wanted to knock out several of the items he got points deductions for. One of the large hits was 8 points for the battery.

Thanks again for your input!
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Old May 4, 2007 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by QikStik
Thanks John! This might be a stupid question, but does anyone sell a reproduction tar top battery? Would a repro tar top score better than a repro poly top?
Dunno - I gave up on repro/restoration batteries years ago due to poor reliability; I use a current Group 24 Delco replacement (Model #24-7YR) and take the deduction - haven't bought a battery in years.
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Old May 4, 2007 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
Dunno - I gave up on repro/restoration batteries years ago due to poor reliability; I use a current Group 24 Delco replacement (Model #24-7YR) and take the deduction - haven't bought a battery in years.
Thanks for the replies! Sounds like the effort might not be worth the gains...if any!
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Old May 12, 2007 | 01:08 PM
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paddockparts.com
they have a dummy top that fits over the top of battery. Aso carry reproduction batteies $150
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Old May 24, 2007 | 10:01 PM
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I bought the correct battery for my 68 and it looked good but not enough power to turn the engine when the motor was warmed up. Cold starts no problem, warm starts, not enough power. My neighbor's WalMart battery started the car everytime, hot or cold so I bought a new AC Delco and no more problems. The new restoration battery is sitting on a shelf looking pretty but after spending almost $200 for correct date coded battery and caps, it was a waste of money. That is pretty much what everyone told me before I bought it but I had to learn the hard way. Restoration batteries just don't have enough power.
My experience,
Kurt
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Old May 25, 2007 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ksbunting
I bought the correct battery for my 68 and it looked good but not enough power to turn the engine when the motor was warmed up. Cold starts no problem, warm starts, not enough power. My neighbor's WalMart battery started the car everytime, hot or cold so I bought a new AC Delco and no more problems. The new restoration battery is sitting on a shelf looking pretty but after spending almost $200 for correct date coded battery and caps, it was a waste of money. That is pretty much what everyone told me before I bought it but I had to learn the hard way. Restoration batteries just don't have enough power.
My experience,
Kurt
I guess I'm lucky....I have the same restoration battery in my 71 for the past 3 years without a problem.

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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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I bought a repro tar-top from New Castle Battery before "New Castle Battery" was sold to another company. I don't know who the new company is but I know they did make repro tar-tops. Mine passed NCRS judging.
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Old Jun 6, 2007 | 07:21 PM
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I bought the new maintenance free battery from restoration baterry. It looks like their old style battery but is maintenance free, I have had it two years with no problems
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Old Jun 17, 2007 | 08:22 PM
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This is the company that bought Resto Battery. I bought mine before they went out of business. I agree with others, no power in these batteries. Only use for judging then take it out.
http://www.turbostart.com/
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 07:32 AM
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My friend found a tar top battery he can use for judging. Thanks for all the replies!!
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