I need to replace the battery in my 66 Vette. The recent cold weather in Scottsdale has taken its toll. I have a 66 327/350 L79 with factory air and need to replace the battery. Does anyone have a recommendation as to how high the amps should be without damaging the electrical system? In recent years starting the engine after it has heated up has been really sluggish. I am thinking I need 600+ in amps. Also does anyone have a recommendation as to the type or name of a good high amp battery, maintenance or maintenance free? Where in the Phoenix metro is a good place to purchase a battery that will be the right size to slide in the wheel well opening? Not sure I want to go the Walmart.
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
First check that all connections in the starting and charging systems are clean and tight. Then check the battery: static voltage (12.6v), voltage while running (13.5 - 14.5v), and voltage while cranking (9.5v or more). Here's a decent article: https://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/ic120434.htm
Low cranking voltage may indicate a weak battery or a starting system that's drawing too much current. A shop can test the amp load while cranking. Over 250-300 amps may indicate a bad starter or maybe an engine that's difficult to spin. Excessive initial timing is a common cause of high current draw while cranking.
A standard 500CCA battery should be adequate for this car.Mark Edmondson
Dallas, Texas
Texas Chapter
1970 Coupe, Donnybrooke Green, Light Saddle LS5 M20 A31 C60 G81 N37 N40 UA6 U79
1993 Coupe, 40th Anniversary, 6-speed, PEG 1, FX3, CD, Bronze Top -
Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
I just bought a Delco 78VPGHR Battery with 800 CCA for my '72 LT1 w/ac. I live just South of Chandler, AZ. Great Battery. A high specified CCA battery won't destroy or harm a starter motor. The CCA is the available amount of current the battery can put out at 0 degrees F.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
I had a sluggish cranking issue-it turned out that the bushings in the starter were shot.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
Jerry------
An ACDelco 78 VPGHR is a side terminal battery as used for all L1969-82 Corvettes. I don't think that a group 24, top terminal, VPGHR battery is available anymore for C2 Corvettes. A 24-5YR is available, though, and this battery has 525 CCA. That's plenty for the application and what I would use.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
Joe, you are absolutely correct my battery is a side mount terminal battery.
A Delco battery is a great battery, but I am not sure how it will fare at judging meets. The new Delco battery I purchased replaced a 9-year-old Battery I got from Restoration Battery. It served me well both in performance and at judging meets several years ago.
To the OP: I got my new Delco replacement battery from Factory Motor Parts, 6849 East Main St, Mesa, AZ 85207. Their telephone # is 480-921-9292. They are a very large national auto parts distribution company.Last edited by Jerome P.; December 1, 2019, 01:49 PM.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
Does anyone have a recommendation as to how high the amps should be without damaging the electrical system?
The amp draw is dependent on the load not the battery, up to the batteries discharging capacity.
In recent years starting the engine after it has heated up has been really sluggish.
This could caused by the battery and a lot of other things. The starter is one of the items as Wayne pointed out.
It could easily be defective cables or connections. If you don't know how to do a voltage drop test there is lots of information on the internet one how to perform this test. It is simple enough all you need is a volt meter and someone to crank the Corvette while you take the measurements.
You can throw a lot of money at this or complete the proper testing and only replace the needed parts.
Don't forget to test both the positive and negative cables.
RickComment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
Thanks Joe. I purchased a Delco 24 PG with 700 CCA for about $115. I installed it and wow it made a difference in the cranking and did not have the sluggish problem after it heated up. Thanks for the help.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
My neighbor's '77 Coupe needs a new battery, which is a Group 78. I was at Walmart yesterday and they had a one-year free replacement Group 78 for $49.88. A higher warranty version was just under a hundred bucks, and I think both were rated at 500 cca.
Both are Johnson Controls manufactured, and I believe the only difference is the warranty, so the hundred dollar version just has a built-in extended warranty.
DukeComment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
The group 78-VPGHR side terminal battery I just purchased has 800CCA and I paid $118 w/tax and has a 42 month free replacement warranty.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
ignore this post.Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
FWIW>The last time I looked the Group 24 Top Terminal Delco Battery was available at Menards. LarryLarry
LT1 in a 1LE -- One of 134Comment
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Re: Battery replacement - amps for better starting
Check out this website: https://www.batterycentralmall.com/B...-Corvette.htmlComment
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