Which Is The Correct Battery?

[Mark A.]

I have a 69 427 390hp coupe, with VIN# of 32498. I want to purchase a correct battery for the car. The judging manual calls for a R79S. Ecklers says the car needs a R79W. Who is correct? Also were the original batteries date coded? Thanks, Mark

[Reba W.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

According the JG, all 1969s with top post batteries used R59S. If your car is late enough to have the side posts, it should be R79S.

I don't think the heavy-duty T60 was available until 1970.

[Joe L.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

I have a 69 427 390hp coupe, with VIN# of 32498. I want to purchase a correct battery for the car. The judging manual calls for a R79S. Ecklers says the car needs a R79W. Who is correct? Also were the original batteries date coded? Thanks, Mark

Mark-----


For your application the R79S was originally used. Were these date coded? ALL batteries are date coded although the coding system may sometimes be obscure.

Would I recommend the purchase of a reproduction battery for the car? Never.

[Mark A.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

Joe,
What is the difference between the W and the S battery? Also I guess I am not understanding your comment about purchasing a reproduction battery. What other options are there? Mark

[Pat M.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

Mark - you can use a current Delco battery and lose about half the points (12) available for originality - at least that's what I lost at a Chapter meet. The advantage is far less cost than a repo, and a better, more powerful battery.
However, I eventually did get a repo battery (just for shows) and lost no originality points at a Regional, and then lost 6 at the National. I guess the question for you is, is gaining 12, or 6 points worth the extra cost? It was to me, but many others disagree.

[Mark A.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

I have checked Ecklers, and Restoration Battery. They both claim their batteries are reproductions of originals, yet they have considerable differences in appearance. Does anyone have an opinion as to which battery is closest in resemblence to original? Mark

[Pat M.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

I used Restoration Battery for a R79S repo for my 70, and it looks really good. However, there are internal dividers molded into the top of this battery, and these are visible from the outside. The Judging Manual notes this fact, and it will usually cause a deduct at the higher judging levels.
Also, Restoration sent me a battery with a molded R89S logo on the side, along with a "replace with R79S" tag on the top. When I called to ask why this was, I was told that making separate batteries with the R79S logo on the side was cost prohibitive. I don't think I lost points for this, and I don't think it was even looked for, but it's something you should know.

[Joe L.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

Joe,
What is the difference between the W and the S battery? Also I guess I am not understanding your comment about purchasing a reproduction battery. What other options are there? Mark

Mark-----

The R79W is a higher output battery and has higher cold cranking amperage than the R79S. However, it was not originally installed in 1969 Corvettes since no HD battery option was available for that model year. Also, for 1969, no HD, W-suffix battery was supplied with big block optioned cars as was done for later years.

[Terry M.]

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

They now make a R89W battery topper for around forty bucks. I know it is not NCRS correct but to the casual show judge in other type shown events it is a rather good facsimile of the top of the heavy duty battery. I thought it might be the same top as the whole reproduction batteries , it is just slightly larger to fit on the top of other batteries . Put the fill caps and hose in an some double sided tape . Heck I know of a big time restorer with a restorations shop up north that has used the topper on his L88 car.

_____________________
Kelly

[Mark A.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

Thanks to one and all for your insight into this battery issue! It sure is great having this NCRS website, with so many knowledgable people out there ready to help. Mark

[Dick W.]

Re: Which Is The Correct Battery?

I have checked Ecklers, and Restoration Battery. They both claim their batteries are reproductions of originals, yet they have considerable differences in appearance. Does anyone have an opinion as to which battery is closest in resemblence to original? Mark

Mark, they are made by the same manufacturer, the difference being that one vendor knows everything about the battery and is straight forward about it and the other knows nothing about it other than what is in the sales catalog.