Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

[Harry L.]

Can someone suggest an acceptable replacement battery for my '66 Coupe? I do not think I want to use a Restoration Battery due to the supposed short life they experience. The car has most all available options, thus I expect to need a strong, durable battery once I begin to drive it. I am wondering if someone has bought a Delco replacement, and which version they found to minimize point deductions. What would be a fair price to expect to pay?

Thanks
Harry

[Donald T.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry,

If you reference the judging guide it shows a 50% deduction for originality for a Delco replacement battery. There is a 100% deduction in originality and condition for any other brand. So if you don't go with a restoration battery, then a Delco replacement is your best bet for judging. Lots more info on batteries in the archives as well.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Delco replacements in my area run about $85. I have two or three that seem to be holding up well.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry;

I'm not sure where/how you got such a bad impression of "Restoration Battery", but we've discussed this subject many times of late and you will get as many good reports as bad. I have had one in my 63 for about 6 years now and it's been in two climates (Illinois and Florida). I use one of their Battery Minder Plus charger/maintainer, and I have run the battery down several times due to evaporation (my fault). I topped up the water and recharged it. It bounced right back and is still working well. I now check the electrolyte as a matter of routine maintenance. It is not easy to do, but well worth it to have a correct looking battery.

Stu Fox

[Donald T.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry;

I'm not sure where/how you got such a bad impression of "Restoration Battery", but we've discussed this subject many times of late and you will get as many good reports as bad. I have had one in my 63 for about 6 years now and it's been in two climates (Illinois and Florida). I use one of their Battery Minder Plus charger/maintainer, and I have run the battery down several times due to evaporation (my fault). I topped up the water and recharged it. It bounced right back and is still working well. I now check the electrolyte as a matter of routine maintenance. It is not easy to do, but well worth it to have a correct looking battery.

Stu Fox

I agree. I have had several over the years and I think they have lasted around 3-4 years. The last couple I have had have been the sealed variety, so you don't have to worry about the mess and topping off the cells. I only lost 3 points during judging with my sealed restoration battery. If I recall there are 25 originality points and 15 condition points available for the battery. That's a pretty big hit even if you go with the Delco replacement.

Most importantly, they just look right. Any modern battery, Delco or otherwise, just sticks out like a sore thumb. Even if you do have to replace them a little more often, it's not like it is a major expense or all that difficult to replace. Just my opinion.

[John D.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry, As Don mentioned if you are planning on showing you car you must own the Corvette Judging Reference Manual. See Section 4. Standard deduction guidelines. Batteries.
So many of your questions and a ton of the questions that appear here on the DB regularly can be answered with this manual. You can use it to your advantage points wise and money wise. I think there is a new addition out now?? Mine is the 7th. John

[Timothy B.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry,

Go with the Delco replacement battery. I have had a six year Delco for the last eight years now and it's still good.

[Joel F.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry,

I'd go with the Delco replacement if you are going to be doing much driving. As mentioned, the point hit is 50% for originality (usually 13 pts or so), 0 condition. With the Restoration battery you might loose 3 pts. So the question becomes whether reliability is worth 10 pts or not. If you wanted that period correct look you could always throw a batter topper on it.

You will likely face a similar choice over whether to use modern radials or repro bias ply tires. Again, for a car that is to be driven much, you might be more comfortable with the radials.

Just my $.02, I have the Delco and radials on my cars.

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

I bought a battery topper to use on my spare "Optima" battery should the day come that my Restoration Battery fails. It looks like an old fashion childs toy, quality wise. I couldn't fool a 3 year old kid with it. The caps are all painted yellow and are molded right in as part of the top - something like from "Toys Are Us". The price was right as it was from an Eckler's "Scratch and Dent" sale. I would never use it on my car. It remains hanging in my garage as a conversation piece.

It's like I said in my earlier post; you will get a lot of support for and a lot against the Restoration Battery. If I had it to do over again, I may go a different route as far as "sealed vs. wet". Checking/filling the distilled water and checking the electrolyte level is a pain, just like back in the 50's and 60's. How did we do it?

Stu Fox

[Donald T.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

I bought a battery topper to use on my spare "Optima" battery should the day come that my Restoration Battery fails. It looks like an old fashion childs toy, quality wise. I couldn't fool a 3 year old kid with it. The caps are all painted yellow and are molded right in as part of the top - something like from "Toys Are Us". The price was right as it was from an Eckler's "Scratch and Dent" sale. I would never use it on my car. It remains hanging in my garage as a conversation piece.

It's like I said in my earlier post; you will get a lot of support for and a lot against the Restoration Battery. If I had it to do over again, I may go a different route as far as "sealed vs. wet". Checking/filling the distilled water and checking the electrolyte level is a pain, just like back in the 50's and 60's. How did we do it?

Stu Fox

Stu,

You will love the sealed restoration battery. Correct appearance with minimal loss of points, without all of the hassle. The only way to go in my opinion.

[Santo S.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Harry,
I agree with Stuart. The battery top is a joke.I ordered one when I redid my engine compartment last year.
As far as a battery is concerned I would stick with Delco replacement. Mine lasted 10 years almost to the day.

[Stanley H.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

I am not into judging ,This is just my 2 cents & advising what works for me, .........maybe 4/5 or 6 years ago ( same battery ) installed an optima red top in my 66 BB >>>>>>>>> has never been on a charger... , just turn the key & she starts ....... I do disconect the battery for hibernation , A nice product & made in the USA ...........works for me.

[Rick S.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Interesting thoughts/comments about the battery topper. I bought one 4-5 years ago and like the look over my Delco sealed battery. I am not positive about this but I don't think I received a deduct at Chapter Judging last year (Judging sheets at a different location).

Rick

[Stuart F.]

Re: Acceptable Battery replacement for '66

Rick;

I suspect you may have gotten one when they were good. Like you, I had heard they were pretty good so I bought one in an unopened box. I should have looked at it first as all sales were final. I think they changed vendors from a U.S. plastics firm to one from China some where along the way. The ones they sell now wouldn't fool anyone.

Stu Fox