in getting ready for waco,, a battery was on my list to change out to a correct delco, getting rid of the ole' wal-mart one,(dare i say that?),, anyways, i have the 3 bolts out in the wheel well, the one upper one on the right,, but something is holding it on the lower right corner,, i see a small clip/screw/bolt, but no way to get to it,, what am i missing?? thank, doug
-
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
It has been a while since I changed a battery in a C4, but I think you need a small open end wrench (7mm or 10mm) to loosen the screw on the lower right corner. Once it is loosened, the panel is slotted and will pull out from under the screw. -
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
Hi Doug,
I don't have a C4, but I did some searching and came across this very detailed article from Corvette Magazine's archives.
Good luck at Waco.
Louis
Comment
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
That is correct. You need a small wrench I don't remember the size either but you get at it from the opening just above the rocker panel. It will be to the rear of the fender panel.And it takes a very thin wrench. I hope this helps. TomComment
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
I have found that the "gill" piece has enough flexibility that I don't need to loosen that particular difficult-to-reach bolt. I just flex the piece out of the way as I remove the battery, and all is fine.
PatrickVice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
Doug, You didn't state which year but here is some info for changing an early C4 battery. Taken from an old article I wrote for our Pittsburgh chapter.
Basically the battery swap out procedure is the same till the end of the C4 era with the exception of the cruise control thing. See page 80 of the 84-87 C4 Corvette Techinical info manual concerning the specs of the orig. battery.
To change the battery you will need various tools that make the job a lot easier and a few tricks to shorten the time.
First disconnect the negative battery cable and then the positive one using a 5/16 closed end wrench. Now the cruise control servo has to go so remove two bolts so you can swing it up out of the way. (sometimes) I used a 13mm swivel socket and several extensions along with a 3/8 swivel ratchet for these two bolts. The bottom bolt of the servo has a ground wire so make sure you remember this or else problems for sure. Now remove the battery hold down. Next you must get the painted side fender panel out of the way. Instead of removing it all the way just loosen it up and remove some of the bolts with a 10mm star wrench-about 3 bolts. You will also need a torx bit. Just swing the panel down enough to remove the battery.
You should be able to sit down on a little stool and swap out a battery in about half an hour. More if you spend time cleaning. My May 83 car loves batteries as the thing just sits for some unknown reason. Reason is I can't get out of the damn thing and it has ZZ51 suspension. Ouch. John
Put in a nice new Delco if you can get it cause they last a really long time. Look good too and if you show the car only 50% deduct I believe.Comment
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
my car is an 89', thanks all for your help, i got the job done in about 30mins with some cleaning too,, pretty easy,, (not as easy as my 78 tho),, anyways,, thats one thing i dont understand is these parts are as close as we can get to the original but we get docked 50% here and 80% on oil filters that are ac delcos,, i just dont understand why no more allowance on those parts that are not there but still covered with gm ac delco,, doug????Comment
-
Judging standards
Unfortunately Doug, the judging standard is based on how closely, or far off, the part one is judging is from the originally installed part.
The ease or difficulty of getting a replacement is NOT supposed to be factored into the process.TerryComment
-
10mm *NM*
Comment
-
Re: Changing out a battery in C4,, 1 ?
Doug, I see you mentioned the oil filters. C4's from at least 84 to 91 used a black PF 25 filter with a black and silver decal. But if your car was one day old and you went and bought one it was a blue oneonly. SR as it is called. That's why the deduct on the oil filter. But it's an easy thing to get right. Just paint it gloss black and find a decal for it and you are done. Ask Tom Stanton about that is he did it and got full credit as did a host of others. I can see your gripe though but you did get a good reply to your complaint. Car should be as it left the factory.
I doubt if we will ever have a correct battery. My C4 has a Delco and I got 50% credit and was happy. Good luck, JohnComment
Comment