C2 Battery

[Rob M.]

All,

I've read the archives and understand that unless I'm going for a Duntov (which I'm not), there's no need buy a restoration battery and that a Delco would do just fine. So, a few questions:

1. Is the Delco #24-6yr the best battery for the car (66 SB)? And, the only place that I've been able to find one (chevy dealer) told me that it would cost @$90 plus tax. Is that the going rate? or is there a retailer that sells for less that someone could suggest? Pep boys doesn't have it/can't get it - so they said.

2. If I understand the judging rules correctly, would such a battery result in a 50% deduct on originality and no loss on condition (approx. 12.5 points)? Or, should I expect more?

Thanks for the advice,
Rob
39795

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Battery

Rob,

Look in the yellow pages under Delco(or maybe AC Delco) and you'll find other retailers that can supply the battery. There should be several listed.

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Battery

The Delco 'Freedom' battery may not be the best battery technology available, but it will get you partial credit on the judging field and works quite well. On price, these 'used' to be the house brand at K-Mart and they were aggressively priced ($40-50 range). But, K-Mart dropped Delco after the Delphi spin-off (price hikes???) and now you have to look around to find a local retailer...

The Chevy dealership down the hill from me has had a 'sale' going on these since last summer with prices in the $40-60 range. I presume you can fire up your web browser and find them from independent sources too. Also, it won't hurt to tell your local Chevy dealer that price is an issue for you... They just might give you a discount to get your business!!!

[Roy B.]

Re: C2 Battery

If your not showing do your self a big favor and get the Optima Battery, no more adding water, no more battery post corrosion. And no more battery cable corrosion.
Have one in my 55 Corvette and 67 for over 7 years and still works like new, they even have them now for motor cycles.

[Mark Milner]

Re: C2 Battery

If you are not judging, then go for the battery that suits your needs the best.

I've been putting in WalMart batteries. Simple reason - price and warranty. If it fails in 2 years, free replacement at any WalMart in the US. And there are more than a few, so even on a trip, you can probably walk to the nearest one if you have to.

Die Hard were always good, but their price is almost twice WalMart and their warranty is poor.

Delco, I haven't had one in years. I have found a lot of dead ones in car that are only a year or two old though.

[Rob M.]

Re: C2 Battery follow up

Thanks all for the suggestions. I would like to have the car judged once more - it earned a second flight even with wrong color, paint, hood, and exhaust to mention just a few (which I have since corrected). I just don't plan on going for a trailer queen. I like to drive it. So, with that said, is the maintenance free reproduction battery the way to go, or find a Delco at a reasonalble price?

Thanks,
Rob

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Battery follow up

Hi Rob:

I bought a maintenance-free battery from Restoration Battery and I am very pleased with it. I believe it is an Optima battery with a "correct" reproduction case. I had read that the lead-acid reproduction batteries do not last very long, so I am hoping for better life with this type.

I recognize that these batteries are expensive, but aside from the cost they represent pretty easy points for Flight judging compared to some other things you might do to gain a comparable number of points. My battery got full credit in recent chapter level judging.

If you buy a maintenance-free restoration battery, at least you have a decent battery that you can use for regular driving. That's better than trying to justify the reproduction bias ply tires that serve no useful purpose other than for judging. I bought a set of those too, and couldn't wait to get them off the car after I had it judged. The car is a lot more fun to drive with modern radials.

[Rob M.]

Re: C2 Battery follow up

Joe,

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm leaning toward the restoration battery for full credit and taking the hit on the tires. I'm running into several issues with the Delco. Also, I love to drive the car and reproduction tires just don't cut it. There's not that big a point difference between tires and battery either - 30 for the tires and 25 for the battery (not including condition points). I'll keep looking at the pros and cons.

Thanks again for responding.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Battery follow up

Hi Rob:

I agree with your logic on the tires. I remain uneasy with the amount of money I spent on correct reproduction tires. Those tires will only be used for judging purposes, so they have no other use whatsoever except for chasing points. I try not to think about it too much....

If you decide to use modern radials you need to be careful in choosing which brand, type, and size that you use. The Judging Reference Guide has a section on standard deductions for different types of tires. If you lose more than 90% of the 30 originality points, you automatically lose the 30 condition points as well, for a total hit of up to 60 points.