Factory battery in a C2

[Steve F.]

I changed the battery in my C2 yesterday, and given that the old and new batteries were sealed, no big deal. But it must have been tricky when batteries were not sealed and tended to leak acid if tilted too much.

How did the factory install the battery? Did they put it on the shelf before the body was joined to the chassis?

Steve
64 Coupe

[Stuart F.]

Re: Factory battery in a C2

Good question Steve. Have often wondered myself (Stu Fox here). I have a repro wet battery in my 63 with the caps and all just like new. I have had it out several times w/o any leakage when tilted. My only dislike of it is due to my limited use, I have a "Battery Minder" trickle charger on it. Here in Florida, it gets pretty warm and I have to watch the cell water levels very closely. When ever it fails to give me a long enough crank to start, I look at the cells first and they are usually low and need distilled water. I have an Optima also on trickle stand by and have given much thought about putting it in the car. To heck with originality! When I first got the Repro, I had to go to NAPA to get me the acid charge kit. That was no fun for the first install. The height of the battery is such that you can't use a pad under it to protect for corrosion either (I had put in a new tray, but that's now damaged already). The vendor did give me two sets of caps too as in normal use the yellow lettering "Delco" disappears fast. So I keep the new set in the Glove Box for show only.

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: Factory battery in a C2

Check out some of the assy line pictures in Noland Adams' books. Here and there, you'll see shots of the rolling chassis with the body overhead ready for 'touch down'. Look closely and you'll see the battery is already installed on the rolling chassis.

Even better are shots of later era Corvette assy where you can see the brake master cylinder installed on its chassis lines, 'hanging' in the sky awaiting the body to drop!

One GREAT tip in an older Restorer magazine article said to take several plastic garbage bags and 'surround' the battery with them. Use the bags to tilt the battery through the narrow engine compartment clearance passage and get it nestled onto the battery tray. Then, before final battery bolt-down, lift the battery on one side, peel the garbage bags down/off, then repeat the process on the opposite side....

[Barry H.]

Re: Factory battery in a C2

Another way to keep from spilling battery acid on a clean engine compartment when removing or installing the old style batteries is to cut 6 3" by 3" pieces of garbage bag, then remove screw in caps & reinstall with a sheet of 3" by 3" plastic under each. Tighten the caps, & you can remove or install the battery without spilling any acid. Just be sure to remove the plastic before you charge the battery, or run the engine. Also wash the caps, & battery top thoroughly before using. This has worked for me over the years without a spill.
Barry Holmes #940