Hi folks - I think my battery is about to call it quits, as it seems to have trouble holding a change these days. I've checked for current leaks and it appears as if I'm good there; no current flows when i put my ammeter between the positive terminal of the battery and the ground strap (when disconnected from the battery post.). Does anyone know if there's a modern battery that matches the dimensions of the original...or one that's close? Thanks, Mike
There are several out there (actually, there are only two or three manufacturers of the old lead-acid batteries, then these are sold under different brand names). NAPA sells one, also Batteries Plus. I myself have a DEKA, made in Pennsylvania, which appears to be the same as the Batteries Plus (cost me about $90 a couple years ago). Will probably last 4-5 years. There are also 6 volt tractor batteries that you can get from places like Tractor Supply. And, more and more, old car owners are going to the new gel batteries sold as "Optima". They're considerably smaller than the original size, but they last a long time. At least one company makes a plastic "faux battery" enclosure into which you can put the Optima, and it looks just like a battery.
As to size: your car would have either a Group 1 or Group 2. (Some StepDown person will jump in here and say which one). So just be sure to buy one of the appropriate "group" number.
Finally: make sure to get a sufficient "cold cranking amps" CCA rating. My DEKA has 780 CCA and the Optima is even more. However, some of these batteries are rated at considerably less. That means they will run out of steam when cranking, sooner than the others.
Leave a reply
