Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

[Daniel K.]

I would welcome an opinion or two on the state of the battery compartment on my 1971 LS5. I used a shop light to illuminate the compartment from below. You will see there is a crack along the u shaped ridge closest to the driver's seat. I don't believe the crack is growing at all, but curious about others' point of view and experiences.

Battery compartment lit from below.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

I would welcome an opinion or two on the state of the battery compartment on my 1971 LS5. I used a shop light to illuminate the compartment from below. You will see there is a crack along the u shaped ridge closest to the driver's seat. I don't believe the crack is growing at all, but curious about others' point of view and experiences.

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Daniel------


To be safe, I think I'd repair/reinforce it on the inside using a fiberglass repair kit. The battery, when installed, should mostly hide the repair.

[Mark E.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Definitely repair any cracks and build up any thin areas on the floor caused by battery acid. It looks like the battery hold down bracket is missing so replace that too.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Itoo would repair the crack from the inside. Dont need to get carried away with it but just enough to stop the crack.

[Gary R.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

I've had them with the bottom completely ripped and the battery falling out. I have glassed in new bottoms and they came out great so if it's just a crack a little glass work and paint it will be like new.

[Mark E.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

I've had them with the bottom completely ripped and the battery falling out. I have glassed in new bottoms and they came out great so if it's just a crack a little glass work and paint it will be like new.

Ditto. I've repaired badly damaged battery boxes and replaced them entirely on C3s. Common issue. A good glassman can make the repair virtually undetectable.

Being able to secure the battery to the floor is also a safety issue. You don't want it flying around the interior during an accident.

[Daniel K.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Thank you everyone. Good advice, and I will get it taken care of.

[Keith M.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Ditto. I've repaired badly damaged battery boxes and replaced them entirely on C3s. Common issue. A good glassman can make the repair virtually undetectable.

Mark,
Might you (or anyone) have advise on how to go about finding someone to do this?? The battery compartment on my 1969 got wasted some time in the distant past and a highly unskilled attempt was made to repair it. It is functional but looks like crap and one of the drain holes got totally eliminated, etc. I see you are in TX...I am in western PA. Any advice would be appreciated and going into it this seems like something I definitely do not want to DIY unless it is much simpler than I am imagining.
Thanks!

[Steven B.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Keith, did this for a friend a few years ago. It is a simple task with kits from most vendors and marine supply. If you are not comfortable reach out to local members, body shops with glass experience and fiber glass boat repair shops. It really is simple job I am sure you can do.

[Mark E.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Mark,
Might you (or anyone) have advise on how to go about finding someone to do this?? The battery compartment on my 1969 got wasted some time in the distant past and a highly unskilled attempt was made to repair it. It is functional but looks like crap and one of the drain holes got totally eliminated, etc. I see you are in TX...I am in western PA. Any advice would be appreciated and going into it this seems like something I definitely do not want to DIY unless it is much simpler than I am imagining.
Thanks!

Keith,

Regarding finding a good local shop, reach out to your Chapter and Region officers and members for a referral.

Regarding DIY, the first step is assessing if the existing box can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced with a donor box. If it's a matter of fixing a few cracks, then this can be a good first time DIY project. In this case, study some YouTube fiberglass repair videos, then practice on a scrap fiberglass panel.

If extensive repair or replacement is needed, understand it is a lengthy, dirty job in an awkward position. So even though you think you can do the job, you might want to farm it out.

If the box needs to be replaced, contact Corvette salvage yards and search Driveline ads for a donor box. Cutting the car and donor box, aligning it properly and hiding the seams takes some skill so consider this when deciding how to proceed.

[Ray K.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Dan,
Here's a JPEG of my '71s battery box, showing the battery box clamp ('71 GM# 3887588).
For your info, Paragon sells this clamp within their battery hold down kit for about $30.00 (Paragon #1499K).
Good luck on your repair.
Ray K (#43777)
'71 Vette Battery Box Clamp - GM #3887588 - 12Apr22.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Dan,
Here's a JPEG of my '71s battery box, showing the battery box clamp ('71 GM# 3887588).
For your info, Paragon sells this clamp within their battery hold down kit for about $30.00 (Paragon #1499K).
Good luck on your repair.
Ray K (#43777)
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Ray,

Try applying some EvapoRust gel on that hardware. Worked great on my cars.

[Ray K.]

[Keith M.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

Keith,

Regarding finding a good local shop, reach out to your Chapter and Region officers and members for a referral.

Regarding DIY, the first step is assessing if the existing box can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced with a donor box. If it's a matter of fixing a few cracks, then this can be a good first time DIY project. In this case, study some YouTube fiberglass repair videos, then practice on a scrap fiberglass panel.

If extensive repair or replacement is needed, understand it is a lengthy, dirty job in an awkward position. So even though you think you can do the job, you might want to farm it out.

If the box needs to be replaced, contact Corvette salvage yards and search Driveline ads for a donor box. Cutting the car and donor box, aligning it properly and hiding the seams takes some skill so consider this when deciding how to proceed.

Upon pulling the compartment assembly and closer exam I think I am "ok" for now. See attached pic. Repair is U G L Y from underneath..and if she ever gets judged maybe a haircut points of fugly...but appears to have structural integrity. It is missing attachment ability for hold down plate...but I can use hold down bracket with battery in place to locate and replace structure for the hold down plate...I think. Also one of the batt drain holes is plugged but an easy drill out. I surprise myself with new skills I sometimes learn...but honestly hoping fiberglass is not one of them! ;-)

[Mark E.]

Re: Battery compartment showing its age -- still safe?

What does the underneath side look like? I'm wondering if the original surface is intact and fiberglass was just added to the topside.