R89w

[Lyndon S.]

Here is my R89W

_______
Kelly

[D S.]

Re: R89w

That's a nice battery and photo, Lyndon. I didn't realize the battery posts faced toward the rear of the car. Hard enough to get to regardless of position.

[Gerard Q.]

Re: R89w

That's a nice battery and photo, Lyndon. I didn't realize the battery posts faced toward the rear of the car. Hard enough to get to regardless of position.

That's why I positioned my battery facing toward me...easier to reach the battery cutoff. You will lose points however if you have it judged this way for an incorrect installation.

[Terry M.]

Re: R89w

Those 1969s with side terminal batteries had the terminals facing the front of the car. All 1970 and newer face the rear of the car. BTW the battery cables are longer for 1970 and newer to accommodate the revised position.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: R89w

Any reason why the orientation was changed on the cables?
_______
Kelly

[Terry M.]

Re: R89w

Having owned both a 1969 (very briefly) and a 1970 (still) -- my best guess is access to the terminals. Actually I can assure you this is the reason -- I printed my sources in the series of Side Terminal Battery articles I did for The Restorer back in the early 1990s. The Chevrolet documentation for the orientation change cites this reason.

During this time frame Chevrolet had a lot of issues with dead batteries in transit -- imagine that? Sound familiar to those of you with 2005 Corvettes?

They wanted better access to the terminals in order to jump-start the cars while they were on trains or trucks. Of course owners might prefer the better access of the rear facing terminals -- I know I did.

[Alan S.]

Re: R89w

Hi Kelly and Gerry,
Nice to see those caps and hoses.
I'd really like to see a photo of the bottom of the caps and hear whether you believe them to be originals or reproductions. They look good to my eye.
Thanks very much!
Regards,
Alan

[Lyndon S.]

Re: R89w

Those were original caps,
________
Kelly