Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

[David S.]

Hi Guys,

We have a maintenance free tar top reproduction battery on our 66. Came new from Restoration Battery about 6 years ago. I noticed today the top of the battery (on the tar top) appears to be cracking. Is this a known problem? By no means are the cells compromised or do I think the operational integrity of the battery is in jeopardy but certainly I'd like to know if other members have experienced similar problems.

Thanks,
Dave

[Patrick H.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Dave,

As I understand it the "tar top" on the reproduction batteries is just decorative. So, you could go ahead and repair it by using roofing tar type repair materials.
Underneath it is likely a regular plastic case.

Patrick

[Jim S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Dave,

As I understand it the "tar top" on the reproduction batteries is just decorative. So, you could go ahead and repair it by using roofing tar type repair materials.
Underneath it is likely a regular plastic case.

Patrick

Inside the reproduction battery is a smaller sealed battery. When the battery dies, it is possible to cut open and replace the smaller sealed battery for less than what a new reproduction battery would cost.

[Jim D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

There's an Odyssey battery inside of the reproduction battery. The one they use runs around $175 retail. You'll have to decide if it's worth the trouble.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

He didn't say the battery didn't work - just that the "tar" was cracking.
This is a cosmetic issue, not a structural or functional issue.

[David S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

He didn't say the battery didn't work - just that the "tar" was cracking.
This is a cosmetic issue, not a structural or functional issue.

As far as I know it's a cosmetic issue. The battery holds a charge, starts fine etc. I'm going to consider replacing it anyway, just a matter of determining if another Restoration Battery is worth it. The car is Duntov'd and now it's driven (every now and again).

Best,
Dave

[Joe R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Dave,

Did you say six (6) years ago???? That's good life for any battery!!! Restoration batteries are not guaranteed for life of the vehicle. The only battery I have ever had that lasted 6 years was a JCPenny battery that was guaranteed for life. It was replaced after 10 years of use. That's never gonna happen again! Delco's off the shelf today are three year batteries! You would be very lucky in a C-4 and up Corvette to get that use from a battery.

JR

[Harry S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

I had one of their older batteries crack on top while sitting in the basement. It started to leak fluid. I threw it out.

I put in a new Delco maintenance free battery and settled for the twelve point deduction.

The question is, is twelve point worth $300.00. It's an individual decision.

[David S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

I had one of their older batteries crack on top while sitting in the basement. It started to leak fluid. I threw it out.

I put in a new Delco maintenance free battery and settled for the twelve point deduction.

The question is, is twelve point worth $300.00. It's an individual decision.

At this point it's not even about the points. Our car is proven and judged. I think the correct repros look better when you open the hood! Regardless, my question is answered so thank you guys!

Best,
Dave

[Norris W.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Dave,

Did you say six (6) years ago???? That's good life for any battery!!! Restoration batteries are not guaranteed for life of the vehicle. The only battery I have ever had that lasted 6 years was a JCPenny battery that was guaranteed for life. It was replaced after 10 years of use. That's never gonna happen again! Delco's off the shelf today are three year batteries! You would be very lucky in a C-4 and up Corvette to get that use from a battery.

JR

Not really. My '96 Dodge Viper got it's first replacement battery at the end of 2010. (almost 15 yrs) It has a similar computer current draw to anything late model. The one of my '67 BB Corvettes that actually runs has a 9 year old Walmart special with a topper on it. Get ready for this one: DRUM ROLL.......... my '69 L89 Corvette has the same restoration type battery, one of the old wet ones that was in it when it went Gold at Bloomington in 1989. I haven't cranked it in a year or so, but the Tender is showing green and I have no reason to believe it won't. My '69 L88 has a similar battery and it MAY even be the one that was in it in 1988 at Bloomington, but I didn't mark it and can't remember for sure. The reason? Battery Tender Plus. I've never tried another tender or trickle, although there are others on the market that'r cheaper. I've got over 30 of 'em on everything here from boats, scooters, SeaDoos, old cars, lawn mowers, motorcycles (my 2003 100th Anniversary Harley got it's first battery last year). I'm a 100% fan.

At this point it's not even about the points. Our car is proven and judged. I think the correct repros look better when you open the hood! Regardless, my question is answered so thank you guys!

Best,
Dave

I've done the high dollar repro battery thing and don't think I'll be repeating. Personally I think the repro boxes with the small sealed battery inside are cheezy. I have one in my LS6 Chevelle and the sides are very flimsy and cheap feeling. From now on I'm buying flat top Delcos and sticking a battery topper on them. Sometimes I really wonder if we don't kinda' go over to the silly side on some of this stuff when we spend 300 bucks plus for something that's absolutely a charade and functionally inferior to something costing a third.

[Duke W.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Dave,

As I understand it the "tar top" on the reproduction batteries is just decorative. So, you could go ahead and repair it by using roofing tar type repair materials.
Underneath it is likely a regular plastic case.

Patrick

Henry's #107 Asphalt Emulsion (Home Depot carries it.) should do the trick. It's water soluble and spreads easily like thick latex deck paint until it drys. Then it's like tar and only soluble in petroleum solvents. I refurbished my built-up roof with it a couple of years ago - 12 squares/24 gallons, but did in my back.

Don't use platic roof cement. It's way too thick and difficult to work with and gets too hard over time.

Duke

[William F.]

Re: Restoration Battery Tar Top (Cracking)

Norris,Agree with you 100% on functional items. This has been suggested before, but previous senior judge said no chance for changes regarding judging on these items weren't going to happen. Maybe in future?