Delco batteries

[Jim T.]

I am using Delco batteries in four cars and have always liked the performance, long lasting and always dependable.
Have one that caused corrosion of the positive battery cable where it attaches at the battery because of leakage with the battery at its side terminal location.
I am going to replace this battery and it is the oldest Delco I have. Because of the previous experience with Delco and knowing that there have been changes in Delco batterys during the last few years I am asking for opinions on replacing it with another Delco. I would purchase their best Delco battery for my Corvette as I have in the past.
I have used a Interstate Mega-Thron 75 month battery in another car with great performance.

[Terry M.]

[Duke W.]

Re: Delco batteries

The two major North American battery manufacturers are Johnson Controls and Exide-Yuasa - a joint venture, but I'm not sure if Yuasa is involved any longer.

I don't know who manufactures current "Delco" batteries, but I don't think it's inhouse GM anymore. The two above Web sites should lists the "brands" that each manufacturer supplies.

About 15 years ago I just started buying Johnson Contols batteries, which have given very good service. What Costco, Autozone, and many others sell as "house brands" are basically the same black case Johnson Controls battery with different stick on "brand" labels, which I remove prior to installation.

So my various cars just have unobtrusive looking black batteries, and I no longer worry about having the OE "brand". With several different make cars I decided it wasn't worth the cost/time to chase that particular "originality" feature on an item that requires replacement every seven or eight years on average.

I suppose one could probably find "Delco" labels and use them as required on any plain black battery.

I absolutely hate to see some non-OE brand label battery on a vintage car. It can make an otherwise decent engine compartment look tacky as hell, but like I said, it's just a matter of peeling off the gawdy labels, and you don't even notice the battery.

Duke

[Glenn D.]

Re: Delco batteries

That is very interesting. I was just researching a new battery for my 74'. When I inquired about a 74-6yr , I was told it was discontinued and replaced by a 78-6yr. I never had any issues with the Delco batteries I have purchase in the past.

[John D.]

Re: Delco batteries

I absolutely hate to see some non-OE brand label battery on a vintage car. It can make an otherwise decent engine compartment look tacky as hell, but like I said, it's just a matter of peeling off the gawdy labels, and you don't even notice the battery.

I agree completely. Needed a new battery in a pinch so I bought a generic one from Pep Boys and peeled off all the labels.....now its just a black box.

[Paul H.]

Re: Delco batteries

The new AC/Delco 7 year professional series battery is an excellent battery for the newer Corvettes. I did alot of research on this recently and just ordered one today for my 02. The problematic Delco batteries that were used on the C5 Corvettes are a thing of the past.

[Jim T.]

Re: Delco batteries

Just came from the AC Delco parts store. I took the information from my 85's current Delco that was holding 12.7 volts whenever I when I checked it with my volt meter lately. I was doing this becasue of the leakage/corrosion of the positive terminal.
Drove the 85 to work a few days ago and it was unusual foggy morning and I used the parking lamps selection and fog lights. Forgot to turn them off and put the car cover on and did not notice the lights were on. At work for 8 hours and could see the car clearly, but the cover obscured the lights being on. For sure it did not start, got a jump and now the battery only will stay on 10.4 volts and charging will only bump it up to about 11.
The branded in the case numbers 0D018 were identified as a 2000 battery by the counter man today. Nine years is very good battery life. It also has M0700 on a label.
This is a Model 75A-72 month with a 18 month free replacement 810 CA and 650 CCA maintenance free battery.
The counter man said he thought the current Delco brand is made by Exide. The Delco Professional 7year warranted battery I could replace it with is $92.95.
After reading Terry M's post about EXIDE batterys I have choices to make. Auto Zones Gold-Durolast is 79.99 and the INTERSTATE MEGA-TRON is 96.95.
One thing that will be different for sure, the Delco battery that failed could not be seviced in adding distilled water, the last one I bought last year for my 96 has removable caps. Takes time to check in a C4 with what has to be removed to check the water level.
Tell me about EXIDE Terry M.

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco batteries

My Exide prejudice is due to reports from a number of fellow "car guys;" some of whom are NCRS members. I also have a report from a friend who runs a state garage in North Carolina (I get my former-police cars on his recommendation). He has had hundreds of Exide batteries in state service and the failure rate (according to him) is awful. Due to a low-bidder situation he is stuck with them. My former-police car Camaro has cosmetic damage in the engine compartment from the exploding Exide -- but it happened before I got it. One might argue the conditions these batteries are under are far different than we will subject them to -- and I would not disagree. So you might want to weigh that in making your decision.

If, as Duke stated, there are only two battery manufacturers left in the USA -- well then our choices are limited. We just might wind up with an Exide under a different label, as I suspect I have in the new Corvette.

For my part I put Exide batteries right alongside Fram oil filters.

[Edward J.]

Re: Delco batteries

Jim. I have a AC Delco shop in Mass, and have been a big AC Delco fan for many years, as of recent the Delco brand is not the same as past years they rebox most parts and there batteries, alt. starter qualitys have dropped, in the last year ive dropped the battery lines because of many problems, I now carry interstate batteries which has always carryed a national wide warrenty and are a great line of batteries. i know its just another opinion. thanks Ed (49497)

[Brian M.]

Re: Delco batteries

Let's not rule out these, all made under one roof in PA. http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/

[Dick W.]

Re: Delco batteries

The only battery that I have seen that is worse than an Exide is a Deka. They are a 3rd US manufacturer, making their "batteries" in Lyon Station PA

[Brian M.]

Re: Delco batteries

I'd use a Deka before an Exide anyday. JMHO.

The only battery that I have seen that is worse than an Exide is a Deka. They are a 3rd US manufacturer, making their "batteries" in Lyon Station PA

[Dick W.]

Re: Delco batteries

Never got over 12 months of service out of a Deka. But then again I bought a pair of private branded Exide batteries for my PU and they did not last but 18 months.

[Brian M.]

Re: Delco batteries

I never buy anyones 5 year battery. it's 6 or 7 year for me only.

[Dick W.]

Re: Delco batteries

I have always bought the best batteries offered. The private branded Exide took a crap when I was about 200 miles from any dealer. I replaced them with Johnson Controls batteries.