Replacement Battery

[chris burbage #34073]

What type and size battery originally came in a 65 Convertible 396 car? My first goal is not a repro but a good driver battery possibly the Sears battery that has the anti theft feature built in. Down the road I plan on getting a repro type battery for correctness but that is at least a couple of years off.

Thanks,

Chris

[Robert C.]

Re: Replacement Battery

Chris, I would get any Delco battery. All original batterys were AC Delco.(you will get points in judging if its a Delco, not Sears,(full deduction for non Delco)


Texas Chapter NCRS

[chris burbage #34073]

Re: Replacement Battery

Bob, I understand the dilemma. I don't plan on showing the car for awhile. My immediate goal is to do some cruising and enjoy the ride while I research and learn more about restoration. Down the road I'll bite the bullet and get into the resto. For now I was considering replacement of the battery with the Sears unit for security concerns more than anything else. I wanted to cross reference from the delco to the sears chart but I don't know the delco part number or type (size?) for the original.

Chris

[Bill Lucia]

Re: Replacement Battery

Chris, I have a repro battery from restoration Battery for judging in my 66 BB coupe. It has the right date stamps etc. You can see their add in the Drive Line for the right unit for your car. For driving I use a Delco top post repalcement (fully sealed) that I got from my Chevy dealer. Chevy has one for your car listed as a Type 24-7. It is a 7 yr battery. I use the same one in my car and it fits perfectly. Cost is about $105. It still gets some points in judging as well. I only switch the repro in for Regionals and Nationals. I'd go with the Delco over Sears. My dealership had it in stock.

Regards

Bill #8620

[Joe L.]

Re: Replacement Battery

chris-----

Battery size designations and nomenclature have changed since the mid-60s. However, you should be able to find the original size in your owner's manual. I believe that the current size for the battery you require is a "group 24". I may stand corrected on this, but that's my recollection.

[chris burbage #34073]

Re: Replacement Battery

Thanks you all for the info. The reason I was looking at the Sears was that they have a battery that essentially doubles as a security device. I figured to use it as a driver battery and save the Delco for show use in the future. Does anyone have experience with the Sears Security battery? Gimmick or worth considering?

Chris

[Bill Lucia]

Re: Replacement Battery

Joe, you're correct it's Group (or Type) 24 at Chevrolet for their Delco product. My 66 uses a Type24-7 Delco top post.

regards

Bill #8620

[Tony H.]

Re: Replacement Battery

For what it's worth, I believe that some of the Sears batteries are (or at least were) made by Delco, namely, the Diehard series. I never got my car judged, though, with this Delco-made Diehard so I don't know what the points deduct is for the Delco-manufactured-for-Sears battery where a Delco battery was called for.

[Robert C.]

Re: Security Battery???

Chris, So whats the security part of this Sears battery supposed to be?


Texas Chapter NCRS

[chris burbage #34073]

Re: Security Battery???

Bob, The battery comes with a remote control similar to most alarm systems. When activated it decreases the available amps to only allow enough power to keep accessories energized (clock, etc.) but not enough to turn the mootor over. There are also some monitoring features. For instance if you leave your lights on it will, after some time, shut down all power when it reaches a critical state to preserve enough to start the car.

[Lou Lapham]

Re: Replacement Battery,Delco's the one!

Chris-I echo what Bill L. said about the sealed Delco units.I have an earlier version called the Delco Permacell.It's got a 75 month warranty,550 cold cranking amps and it's been in my 66 air roadster since 1992 and it's never let me down,Bloomington 90's or Michigan 20's it starts.There is a Professional grade Delco now produced that is very similiar.AS an aside as far as i know Delco lost the Sears Diehard contract several years ago to another battery maker.By the way Delco has an exclusive cell design that probably helps them live so long. Lou

[Juliet P.]

Re: Replacement Battery

Last time I checked (when they first came out) they didn't have rear terminal ones available at the local Sears. That might have changed, and you might not need a rear terminal style... but it's something to look into. They were also pretty pricey. ~$200. ~Juliet


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[Joe L.]

Re: Replacement Battery

Juliet-----

For info, side terminal batteries came into use on late 1969 Corvettes (after about s/n 22,000 or June, 1969). In fact, this was the first use of side terminal batteries in any GM car. For 1969, they were "front facing terminals", making them very difficult to access. For 1970, though, the orientation of the battery was reversed and the terminals became "rear facing terminals".