1970 Loose Battery

[Terry M.]

7 and 1/4 inches

From the front surface of a bolt threaded into the rear hole to the lip of the front retainer. On my end-of-January built 1970. I doubt the measurement will be any different on any other C3, but WTFDIK. It could have been 7 and 5/16 -- depending on how I tilted the bolt. Given the only thing I could get in there was a tape measure, accuracy is not real high.

This dimension will NOT relate to any dimension on the battery or on the measured print of the battery that was published in The Restorer.

Just a suggestion -- get a couple inch length of 3/8-inch rubber hose. Almost any kind will do, but I think the thinner the wall the better. Slit it along its length and slip it over the lip of the front retainer. Install the battery. I know one shouldn't have to do that, but the chances of a judge seeing it will be low and the functionality high. Like Joe, I never had to do that with a real Delco battery, and I have had dozens of them in there.

Whether the reproduction battery is an R79W or an R89W is a function of the sticker on the top. They only made one case in reproduction -- mould costs being what they are. There are other differences between a real R79W and an R89W, according to the production prints, than the sticker, but given the location of the battery in the C3s and the effort to see those differences most judges take the easy way out.

[Keith M.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Joe, I assume the R89S is a group 78 battery correct? Thanks Keith Majure

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Keith-----

I'm not sure that the "Group 78" battery size designation existed when the "R89S" was first released. Regardless, though, the "R89S" battery configuration either was OR became a "member of the Group 78" battery size designation.

The group 24 and group 78 batteries are, basically, the same size except that the 24 is a top terminal and the 78 is a side terminal.

[Keith M.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Joe, thanks I will pull mine out over the weekend and see how your dimensions compare to the battery I was sold. Will let you know after I do the measuring.
Thanks, Keith Majure

[Keith M.]

Re: 7 and 1/4 inches

Terry,you gave me a measurement I needed. Thanks for taking the effort to go and measure. Just want to get my information together before I go back to the supplier. Now comes the question HOW SHOULD NCRS judge these batteries. As I see it this battery only has the "look" of an original. In my opinion the now Delco replacment should score as well. It is a Delco,original manufacture, both batteries have a configuration problem, both are side terminal batteries and one cannot tell about performance setting in the car. On top of this, one is $100 and the other is $350. I am not a betting man but I bet the replacement will out last the repro. I think I will spend my $250 difference some where else to pickup my lost points and will not have to drive my car on the judging field with a a piece of 3/8" hose holding my battery in. We all learn and move on. Keith Majure

[Michael B.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Is it possible that the clamp is upside down? I have seen that before.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Mike-----

That's a VERY good point. That's even happened to a guy that I know REAL, REAL well on several occasions over the years. The clamp must be installed with the raised seat for the bolt FACING UP. It seems almost "counter-intuitive" and I think that's why the error frequently occurs.

[Terry M.]

Re: 7 and 1/4 inches

Both NCRS & NCCB judge based on appearance -- end of story as far as I am concerned. That is the game we play.

With a battery no one is fooling anyone into believing that a 30 year-old battery still functions. Yes, it could be a NOS dry-stored unit (and I have an R79S on the shelf -- not for sale), but when every 1970-72 that we judge has an R89W in it anyone with an ounce of brains knows what they really are, but that is not the issue -- we judged based on appearance.

[Terry M.]

BINGO

Wish I would have thought of that. Don't ask me how I know about that sp;ution, either.

[Keith M.]

Re: 1970 Loose Battery

Mike,tanks for your reply I like it because you are think of the small and simple possibilities, but we tried it before going for more help. It looks as if I have a small battery in a big hole. A Wal-Mart battery will fit with no problem. Keith Majure

[Keith M.]

Re: BINGO

Terry, I just wish it had been that simple. I tried it both ways before I went to the discussion borad. I wanted to make sure I had tried all of the little tricks I could think of. I think the jury is just about in, "Little Battery In Big Hole." It looks as if I want one that fits go to Wal-Mart and pay about $40.00 and go on about my business. It doesn't seem fair to have very nice low mile 70 Corvette and drop good money for a little battery that looks correct.
Thanks, Keith Majure