I'm still trying to get used to these new cars with all there fancy options! Is there a certain kind of battery needed for a C3. Right now there is an acid smell inside the car coming from a non sealed Excide battery. Will a maintnence free battery solve this? If any one needs any tips on 6 volts I can help!!!! Eric #3,182
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Eric, The C3 original battery had a small plastic vent tube from a fitting on a special (unique to Corvettes, I believe) battery that vented these fumes out through a hole in the bottom of the battery tray. I replaced the original battery on my 71 with a DieHard from Sears (circa 73-4) that did not have the vent. I got these fumes occassionally. I have no personal experience, but the sealed unit might solve the problem. If you could rig up a vent line like the original from the cell caps that would probably be the best. I have not seen the original style batterys in reproduction, but I haven't been looking either. -
Re: What type of battery for C3
Hi Eric:
I experienced the same situation as you , I purchased a larger than stock, (needed more cranking amps; or thought I did), with a sealed unit and that solved the problem in my 69.
Good luck
jerryComment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Eric,
If you are going after NCRS correctness, you have the choice of buying a modern repro battery, as discussed in the archives, or going to your GM dealer and buying the modern Delco equivalent of what your car originally had.
I opted for the second choice and got a nice smell-free battery at an affordable cost, and only a small point deduction.
MikeComment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Reference going to a dealer for a Delco battery. Through the dearership, any GM dealership the cost could be higher than what you would pay for one that will fit your car from KMart. KMart sells GM oil, fuel filters, air filters, oil filters, and batterys. I like the GM Delco batterys, even more so after reading the information on the Idaho Corvette web page.Comment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Eric,
If you want to use just the components the earlier C3's used to vent fumes and prevent fume seepage then you would need two things. One is the foam "seal" that went around the perimeter of the battery compartment and the other are the cap and hose "system" on top of the battery. The caps and hoses I believe are available separately from suppliers such as Restoration Battery, though you would have to check that the caps would fit the layout of your current fill holes. The 68 I have uses two hoses, one for each three-plug cap. The foam seal and cap hose system was discontinued when maintenance free batteries began to be supplied with Corvettes.
If you want a correct reproduction battery for your year then there are a few places that specialize in their manufacture. Shopping around for a sale price can help with the expense. Modern tech, maintenance free batteries have been a workable choice as well, and it all depends what you want for your car. Additionally, the same issue has been discussed at length in the Archives more than once and can have very good suggestions for your choice either way. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: What type of battery for C3: Clarification
Eric,
The foam "seal" I mentioned is only a strip of foam (approx 1/4" thick) that goes around the inside perimeter of the lid. It is installed on the top edge (rim) of the battery compartment. It is not an entire "seal" that encloses the complete battery compartment, as could have been interpreted. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Folks,
Please keep in mind that most "sealed" batteries are not completely sealed. Only the jell type batteries (one is sold by Exide, I believe) are completely sealed. Current Delco batteries are only sealed in the sense that you cannot add water to replenish the electrolyte. They are vented so that fumes can escape the battery as the electrolyte expands and contracts.
I would expect the foam seal discussed in other posts above to keep the odor of battery fumes out of the passenger compartment if the charging system and battery are functioning properly. A battery that is being charged excessively, whether due to faulty charging system or deteriorated battery, will produce more fumes than normal and thus your nose may be an indication of a malfunction or needed maintenance.
Terry
TerryComment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Thanks for all of the feedback. I picked up a Delco Proffesional Yesterday at the local Chevy dealer. I pulled the old Excide and found that one of the caps wasn't completely inserted. It had leaked acid/electrolite into the compartment. There was a small pool under the battery. I took some old rags and a bucket of water/baking soda solutuion and carefully soaked it up. This is an 81 and the "black box" is in the same compartment so I had to be very careful. Well put about 50 miles on it and it now smells great, and there wasn't any acid leak. gain thanks for all of your help. Eric #3,184 FYI here's some pictures of the "new car" http://ww2.cableaz.com/Corvette/1981corvette.htmComment
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Re: What type of battery for C3
Where do you guys find all these 15k mile cars ? Great pics, page and car. Congratulations
jerryComment
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