Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

[ray anthony]

This is a long story but I will make it short. I recently purchased two new maintenance free batteries from Restoration Battery. When I installed them , they would not fit into the battery tray. I replaced two acid batteries purchased from same company which fit my reproduction battery tray. I called rtestoration and was told they should fit and that the tray was not the right size. Note I was told he never had anyone call with this problem but within five minutes or less into the discussion he had a soluton to the problem.

The reason for the posting is that I would like to know if anyone else has experienced this same problem and received the same response which basically was not acceptable. Also to alert NCRS members to be carefull , they will not be getting what is advertised for a cost of $250.

I purchased the batteries for a 62 corvette, thanks for reading, any comments will be appreciated.

[Dave S.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Ray,
I just replaced the battery in my 61 with a maintenance free reproduction from Restoration Battery. It replaced a lead/acid reproduction battery purchased from them 3 years ago. I believe I have an original battery tray but cannot say that for sure. Both batteries fit perfectly. I've purchased many batteries from Tom over the years and found him to be a great vendor.

[Michael S.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

I purchased a battery for my 1965 corvette from Restoration Battery about 1 month ago. I also purchased a new battery box for it from Long Island Corvette Supply. I had no problem with the fitting of the battery into the new tray or installation of the tray itself. So my experience with Restoration Battery has been good.

[Donald T.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Ditto. I've bought batteries from Restoration battery and they fit in my repro battery tray. They are designed to fit snug and always requires a little "persuation" from a rubber mallet, but no real problems. I've been very pleased with that vendor. I would have to assume the problem lies in your battery tray.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Gents,
I'll also weigh in with a positive response for the Restoration battery and the vendor. I installed my new maintenance free battery in my '65 that has its original battery tray and hold down. It fit perfectly.

Regards,
Gene

[John S.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Ray,

I have also purchased a maintenance free battery from Restoration Battery for my 1965 Coupe with an original battery tray and found no problems with the fit. In the past I've purchased batteries from them for my 1962 and 1958 and never had any fit problems.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

This shouldn't be a matter of opinion. Measure the battery. Your car takes a Group 24 battery. The tray accommodates it. A Group 24 battery is:

10 1/4" long
6 13/16" wide
8 7/8" high

There's no argument on this. That's what the battery is supposed to be, and the tray fits it.

[John D.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Ray, My 63 show car has an original battery tray and also a tar top battery. But I didn't trust the old tar top as it didn't have much cranking power. Was good enough for judging though as the car starts immediately. Anyhow I bought the good expensive plastic tar top from Restoration battery and it fits perfect. But I put the tar top back in for show. By the way just yesterday I thought I had better give the RB a charge as it had been sitting for aabout 4 months. Anyhow it was fully charged just sitting around. Holds a charge real nice. Old show cars are hard on batteries you know. Supposed to drive those critters but afraid to get a chip.
Recap: The dimensions on my old tar top and the dimensions on Tom's battery are ditto. Good luck, John

[James C.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

I bought a battery for a 1967 427 coupe a few years back, no problems. I purchased one for my 1971 454 less than a year ago,and the battery was too small for the tray. The battery would not fit snuggly in the tray although the Interstate battery that was in it fit fine. The tray is original to the car and has passed judging twice. Like I said it wasn't off by much,and I resolved the matter by spliting a rubber vacuum hose and attaching it to the hold down clamp to snug the battery down.I also remember reading a similar posting from another 1971 owner with the same problem. Not quite sure how to handle this with judging though. I am sure they will spot the hose on the clamp. If I take out the hose,the battery moves around. However, with the rubber hose attached, the battery stays in place when I drive the car and works fine.I agree it was disappointing not to fit perfectly, but I did not think it was worth the time and effort to return the battery..Jim

[Dave S.]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Jim,
I've had the same fit problem with the R89 repro batteries that I purchased for my sharks. I decided to install the hold down and bolt and let the battery slide a very little. The judges will see it as correct and that will give you full credit. A piece of hose will raise a flag as being non original and create a small deduct. Remove the hose during judging and get full credit.

[ray anthony]

Re: Restoration Battery -- Be Carefull

Thanks for the input. It appears that when I purchased my battery tray it was not to spec, thus the problem with the battery. All responses were positive so I apoligize to Restoration Battery.

[Geoff C.]

If your wrong - then DELETE your basing *NM*