New Battery Installation

[Donald H.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Stu,

Did you try to revive your older restoration battery using another conventional battery and hooking the two in parallel to fool your charger? See the attached thread for this technique.


https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...hlight=battery

[John F.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Jeff, can you post a clear closeup of the battery cutoff?

[Ed S.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Jeff,

Are not the ring clamps for the tank removable on your year car? They are on my 63 and is why I never considered removing the hood latch before, I believe.

I doubt if I have any rope or cord around the garage, but I got lots of bungy cords. I'll see if I can make one of those work to tie the tank back. I take it that no one who uses this approach drains the cooling system. Won't some coolant leak past the cap or overflow hose? If I have to remove the hose to the radiator from the clips to the fender well, I'll probably have to pal nut them back in place as those holes are probably too large now. Sorry for my thinking out loud with my stilis in my hand (iPad).

Stu Fox

Stu - the only time fluid should come out of the overflow hose is when the engine (or coolant) is so hot that it boils and the pressure in the cooling system exceeds the rating of the pressure cap - the pressure then forces the spring loaded seal of the cap up and exposes an evacuation route (the overflow hose) for the steam and at the same time it relieves the pressure in the system. If your cap is functioning properly it should not leak fluid when turned on its side.

[Stuart F.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Don,

I am familiar with the 2 batteries in parellel technique. I used to use it before I got my present charger which is a Schumacher designed for use with these new batteries. I was able to get this one charged up to about 11.8 volts, but then even sitting disconnected it would loose about 1.5 to 2.0 volts over night. I was never able to get it up over 12.3 volts needed for a minimum start up w/o damaging the Pertronics module. Even if I did get it started, the alternator would never be able to keep it charged. I'm fairly certain of that.

One other reason I prefer these restoration batteries is I know they will fit well in the cramped carrier. The fit is so tight, at least on mine, that I couldn't even use one of those pads under the battery (usually used with wet batteries to reduce chances for corrosion of the battery carrier). They are less than 1/8" thick, but it is still too much and you can't get the hold down to fit over the battery.

I use a knife switch disconnect always on my ground side. They make a much more positive ground connection and don't "leak" like the screw type if you don't ensure a good connection release. The knife switch don't look as nice, but who cares! It is buried so far back under the fender any way.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: New Battery Installation

I have a very easy way to change the battery in my 63, FI Car. In fact it's due for a battery now. I unloosen the clamps holding the expansion tank on. I tie this tank to the oil filler tube. Getting it way out of the way. I dont disconnect any of the hoses. I may have taken the clamp holding the two hoses to the alternator bracket. Forget.
Then I do the smart thing. I call my very strong son and have him man handle the battery out or in a couple of seconds.
Don't try to lift the battery yourself Stu.
Since my car is not going to be judged anymore I plan on buying an AC battery. But if I can't easily find one I will buy a nice black battery and remove all the decals.
I have a rebuilt battery for the car but since I have the worlds most expensive plain jane steel tank fuel car I am not taking a chance on a rebuilt battery. John

[Edmund C.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Gents: The timing on this post is perfect. Thanks, the NCRS fraternity keeps making our minor dues the best deal in the USA. Anyway, my new Delco tar top battery just arrived from Restoration Battery in Ohio. I had them date stamp it a month prior to the build date as recommended. Question: Do NCRS Judges even look for that stamp or consider it? Seems pretty forensic to me (but I'm pretty inexperienced with the Judging Process). Any thoughts appreciated. Best, Ned

[Harry S.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Yes, we look for a date.

[Michael J.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Question: Do NCRS Judges even look for that stamp or consider it?

Yes, absolutely, I do when I do mechanical. Plant code and date stamp are part of it. Some judges might also ask you to remove the battery filler caps so they can look inside too...........

[Harry S.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Yes, absolutely, I do when I do mechanical. Plant code and date stamp are part of it. Some judges might also ask you to remove the battery filler caps so they can look inside too...........

I never ask. We are not suppose to ask. Externally does it look original, yes or no.

[Michael J.]

Re: New Battery Installation

I never ask. We are not suppose to ask. Externally does it look original, yes or no.

I don't either Harry, but I have had judges ask twice in the last 2 years, once at a Regional and once at a National. They do try and trick you into it even though you should not be asked.

[Donald H.]

Re: New Battery Installation

Stu,

You said you have the correct charger. Can you explain?

I am trying to decide if I want to spring for a restoration battery, have a mostly correct looking battery and loose only 7 points, or just buy a modern AC Delco battery and loose the 12 points.

However, I don't want to have to buy a new charger. I have not called them yet, but Restoration Battery has listed a BatteryMinder for $150. I do not want to have $500 total in a battery and charger. When I bought my last battery from them (about 4 years ago) at that time I purchased a charged from them because they sort of suggested that something like a standard Battery Tender was not appropriate for their batteries.

I'm still not clear as to what type of charger is OK to use!!!

Thanks,
Don

[Stuart F.]

Re: New Battery Installation

John,

My muscle (son) got the ends of his fingers on his glove hand in front of a hard hit ground ball from his teenaged daughter which drove the front bone of his pinky into the back bone, so now he's walking around with a big bar holding his finger in a 90 degree position. He won't be lifting any battery for me for a while so it's up to yours truly. I can do it, but don't tell my cardiologist.

Stu Fox