Battery Compartment Trauma - NCRS Discussion Boards

Battery Compartment Trauma

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  • Keith M.
    Very Frequent User
    • January 17, 2021
    • 666

    Battery Compartment Trauma

    So it seems the battery compartment on my 69 convertible experienced some sort of trauma/damage in the past and a previous owner did something to repair it. See attached photos. My assessment to date is that it seems reasonably structurally solid...though one of the vent holes for the battery tube needs drilled out...and more importantly...with repair/replacement of most of the forward part of the compartment bottom...there are no holes to mount the front battery hold down brackets. I guess I am gonna have to see if I can drill some and make that hold down work. But my question is...I cannot determine what material was used to do this prior repair. It appears to be some sort of plasticized or fiberglass material. Any thoughts...and if I need to do some more repair and/or reshaping...what material should I consider using. The goal here is to ensure structural intergrity and enable install of the new front hold down bracket.
    Attached Files
    ***************
    late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!
  • Bill M.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • July 31, 1989
    • 1322

    #2
    Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

    First off I know nothing about 69's. I would cut out the old repair then Clean up both sides with a fine wire wheel give yourself plenty of overlap lay down fiberglass matt and grind to fit. Drill out the anchor holes as needed. Install new brackets and you are on your way.

    Comment

    • Mark F.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • July 31, 1998
      • 1518

      #3
      Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

      Hi Keith,

      Unrelated to your f/g repair, I would also make sure you clean up that ground cable lug; the bolt and threads that hold it to the frame; and the frame surface where the lug makes contact. If it were mine, I'd add an external lug star washer between the lug and the frame to ensure a good ground is provided...the sequence there would be bolt; lug; star washer; frame...dunno if that's what your '69 AIM says, but a bad (or weak) ground can cause you lots of grief down the road...good luck!
      thx,
      Mark

      Comment

      • Mark E.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • April 1, 1993
        • 4528

        #4
        Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

        If you just want a functional fix, repair the fiberglass as Bill suggests.

        If you want want a cosmetic fix that looks original, you'll need to find a battery box bottom from a donor car. I discussed this in a couple of other threads; see "similar threads" below.
        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

        Comment

        • Owen L.
          Very Frequent User
          • September 30, 1991
          • 864

          #5
          Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

          I've seen other posts seeking battery compartment repair, here and on the Corvette Forum. Anyone know the cause of this sort of damage? Is it a leaking battery eating away and weakening the fiberglass, or did someone drop a battery down into the well, cracking the glass, or might it have high-centered or something and broken it from the outside?

          Comment

          • Keith M.
            Very Frequent User
            • January 17, 2021
            • 666

            #6
            Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

            Originally posted by Owen Lowe (20119)
            I've seen other posts seeking battery compartment repair, here and on the Corvette Forum. Anyone know the cause of this sort of damage? Is it a leaking battery eating away and weakening the fiberglass, or did someone drop a battery down into the well, cracking the glass, or might it have high-centered or something and broken it from the outside?
            That is a GREAT question and observation as I wondered the same myself. The area is too well protected to be a physical contact thing...at least HIGHLY unlikely....my best conclusion to date is leaking battery acid ate it away. Mine IS on the front side where the terminals connect...OTOH the vent tubes come out the back...not sure if any of that matters.
            ***************
            late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!

            Comment

            • Mark E.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • April 1, 1993
              • 4528

              #7
              Re: Battery Compartment Trauma

              Two causes of damage I've seen more than once: battery acid and half shaft/u-joint failure.

              I suppose it's susceptible to ground/object impact as well since it's pretty low, but I haven't seen that.
              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

              Comment

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