R 89 W Battery

[Tony H.]

Where can I find a correct R 89 W battery for a 70 LS-5 Corvette? I've seen reproductions advertiesed in the Driveline from Cincinati, OH. Are these exact repros? I think I remember seeing the ad say the batteries are shipped dry. How do these batteries get energized? Any help is appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Tony----

The Delco R-89W battery sold by Restoration Battery of Cincinnati, OH is about as close to original as you can get. There may be minor configuration differences inasmuch as I haven't been able to compare the repro to an original R-89W side-by-side. Also, I understand that the "workings" of the battery are far superior to the originals although I couldn't vouch for that from personal experience.

As you mentioned, these batteries are shipped dry and must be filled with battery electrolyte before use. In the old days, battery electrolyte(basically a solution of sulfuric acid and water)was easy to come by since most new batteries required it. These days, most batteries are of the sealed variety so auto parts stores don't usually have electrolyte anymore. However, industrial and truck batteries are still largely the old-fashioned type so you could probably get some through those channels.

Incidentally, if you get one I'd be interested in how satisfied you are with it. That's because I'd like to know for academic purposes since I'll never own one myself. That's because several years ago at Bloomington I had a memorably bad experience with a gentleman representing Restoration Batttery. I wouldn't buy a battery from them if it was the only thing standing between me and Bloomington Gold or NCRS TopFlight. And its VERY RARE that I feel that way about anyone.

[Joe L.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Tony----

The Delco R-89W battery sold by Restoration Battery of Cincinnati, OH is about as close to original as you can get. There may be minor configuration differences inasmuch as I haven't been able to compare the repro to an original R-89W side-by-side. Also, I understand that the "workings" of the battery are far superior to the originals although I couldn't vouch for that from personal experience.

As you mentioned, these batteries are shipped dry and must be filled with battery electrolyte before use. In the old days, battery electrolyte(basically a solution of sulfuric acid and water)was easy to come by since most new batteries required it. These days, most batteries are of the sealed variety so auto parts stores don't usually have electrolyte anymore. However, industrial and truck batteries are still largely the old-fashioned type so you could probably get some through those channels.

Incidentally, if you get one I'd be interested in how satisfied you are with it. That's because I'd like to know for academic purposes since I'll never own one myself. That's because several years ago at Bloomington I had a memorably bad experience with a gentleman representing Restoration Batttery. I wouldn't buy a battery from them if it was the only thing standing between me and Bloomington Gold or NCRS TopFlight. And its VERY RARE that I feel that way about anyone.

[Jeff]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Joe,

I don't know if you are aware of these folks:

ANITQUE AUTO BATTERY 2320 OLD MILL RD. DEPT. CT HUDSON, OH 44236

1 (800) 426.7580 216.425.4642

WE MANUFACTURE SHOW QUALITY REPRODUCTION BATTERIES FOR ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CARS AND TRUCKS 6 AND 12 VOLT. WE ALSO HAVE A FULL LINE OF REPRODUCTION BATTERY CABLES...GIVE US A CALL

but with all the help you give folks on this board, it'd be sad to see you go with an incorrect battery because of an incident with Tom.

I have never bought anything from these folks but they seem knowledgeable and accommodating.

Also if you need one, I bought a few NOS R-89s for my 67 (not sure what your exact application is) back in 75 and haven't used them up yet. Let me know if I can help you out. But I suspect the claim that the new repro batteries outperform NOS by a wide margin is, unfortunately, accurate.

JP

[Jeff]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Joe,

I don't know if you are aware of these folks:

ANITQUE AUTO BATTERY 2320 OLD MILL RD. DEPT. CT HUDSON, OH 44236

1 (800) 426.7580 216.425.4642

WE MANUFACTURE SHOW QUALITY REPRODUCTION BATTERIES FOR ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CARS AND TRUCKS 6 AND 12 VOLT. WE ALSO HAVE A FULL LINE OF REPRODUCTION BATTERY CABLES...GIVE US A CALL

but with all the help you give folks on this board, it'd be sad to see you go with an incorrect battery because of an incident with Tom.

I have never bought anything from these folks but they seem knowledgeable and accommodating.

Also if you need one, I bought a few NOS R-89s for my 67 (not sure what your exact application is) back in 75 and haven't used them up yet. Let me know if I can help you out. But I suspect the claim that the new repro batteries outperform NOS by a wide margin is, unfortunately, accurate.

JP

[Joe L.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Jeff----

Thanks for the offer on the batteries but my car is a late 69 with side terminals and the R-89S. The R-89S is not, as far as I know, remanufactured. The R-89W would be about as close as is currently available.

Actually, I'm not in the market right now for a reproduction battery inasmuch as I don't enter my car in judging events. But, if I ever do, I'll give the firm you mentioned a try.

[Joe L.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Jeff----

Thanks for the offer on the batteries but my car is a late 69 with side terminals and the R-89S. The R-89S is not, as far as I know, remanufactured. The R-89W would be about as close as is currently available.

Actually, I'm not in the market right now for a reproduction battery inasmuch as I don't enter my car in judging events. But, if I ever do, I'll give the firm you mentioned a try.

[Chuck G.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

I purchased a R89W battery for my 69 from "The Antique Auto Battery Co.", in Hudson, Ohio last year. I am very happy with it. I've bought batteries for my 63 from them too. By the way, they will give you a "R79W" sticker to put on the "R89W" battery. Mine has been working fine for about one year. Chuck Gongloff

[Chuck G.]

Re: R 89 W Battery

I purchased a R89W battery for my 69 from "The Antique Auto Battery Co.", in Hudson, Ohio last year. I am very happy with it. I've bought batteries for my 63 from them too. By the way, they will give you a "R79W" sticker to put on the "R89W" battery. Mine has been working fine for about one year. Chuck Gongloff

[Rolf Krueger]

Re: R 89 W Battery

1. The Delco R79W and R89W Batteries reproduced by Restoration Battery in Cincinnati are excellent high fidelity reproductions of the original batteries installed in an LS5 Corvette. Early 1970 LS5's used R79W and late 1970 through 1972 LS5's used R89W.

2. Be sure to get the caps and drain hoses for the battery if your car no longer has them. Restoration Battery can also supply those.

3. The batteries are shipped dry. Most metropolitan urban areas have battery service firms that carry the electrolite in bulk quantity. Look in your Yellow Pages under "Batteries, Storage" or "Batteries, Storage, Industrial" or Batteries, Storage, Wholesale" or "Batteries, Repairing". Make a few phone calls to find out who carries the electolite near you and then just take your dry battery there and have them "fill it up". I have this done routinely on tractor, truck and trailer batteries.

[Rolf Krueger]

Re: R 89 W Battery

1. The Delco R79W and R89W Batteries reproduced by Restoration Battery in Cincinnati are excellent high fidelity reproductions of the original batteries installed in an LS5 Corvette. Early 1970 LS5's used R79W and late 1970 through 1972 LS5's used R89W.

2. Be sure to get the caps and drain hoses for the battery if your car no longer has them. Restoration Battery can also supply those.

3. The batteries are shipped dry. Most metropolitan urban areas have battery service firms that carry the electrolite in bulk quantity. Look in your Yellow Pages under "Batteries, Storage" or "Batteries, Storage, Industrial" or Batteries, Storage, Wholesale" or "Batteries, Repairing". Make a few phone calls to find out who carries the electolite near you and then just take your dry battery there and have them "fill it up". I have this done routinely on tractor, truck and trailer batteries.

[Jeff]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Joe,

Good thing you didn't take me up on my offer. I went down and looked at the batteries last night and they're R59s not R89s like I said. Guess it's been a long time...

JP

[Jeff]

Re: R 89 W Battery

Joe,

Good thing you didn't take me up on my offer. I went down and looked at the batteries last night and they're R59s not R89s like I said. Guess it's been a long time...

JP