Help with 65 AC 396 Battery hold down Orig vs Repop?

[Rick B.]

Hi, I am hoping for clarification on 65 AC/396 battery hold downs. I searched the forum as there is much discussion around battery trays, batteries, and cables but little info on the the retainer itself.

I am interested in learning the differences between known originals, service replacements and pieces from the parts houses. I have seen a recent rash of battery hold downs come to market on fleabay and it sparked my curiousity....

The JM is clear with describing the crosswire curve and the length of the ends for originals. Pictures always speak a thousand words........here are a few for discussion

additionally was the wingnut and washer black phos, or cad plated?


$(KGrHqJ,!i4E9c+dC-ZSBPsEo7kfpw~~60_58.JPG$T2eC16FHJHoE9n3Kd5odBP6nQ82vjQ~~60_58.JPGyb.dll.jpeg

Thanks

[Wayne M.]

Re: Help with 65 AC 396 Battery hold down Orig vs Repop?

ttt
Rick -- the '65 AIM (section C60, Sheet E1; same applies to L78) shows two part #'s for the battery retainer assy; #3735250, and optional #3752356. The drawing definitely shows the two J-bolt eyelets on the same side of the rod, with the center rod offset, to make the edge L-shaped brackets (4" long) and the hold down bolts lie along the L-R centerline of the battery. This corresponds to your third picture. I have a C-C repro that seems to match this.

The first picture corresponds to what I now have on my '65 air car and my L78; I know they are not correct, but what the heck ! IIRC, this is what was sold by GM as a service retainer (in one of those envelope packages with GM logo paper backing and a clear front. In this timeframe, the part may have been Gr 2.336 #533308. P&A history does NOT show the '65 AIM numbers changing to this number; even in my July '65 catalog the 533308 is all that's there for hold-downs on driver side battery installations.

The problem I see in your middle picture is that if the J-bolts are installed vertically, the straight bracket rod is then offset with respect to the battery centerline, and may interfere with the closest battery fill cap.

Would be nice if someone could post a pic of a known original retainer, even if still on the car.

[Geoffrey C.]

Re: Help with 65 AC 396 Battery hold down Orig vs Repop?

Does anyone know what kind of wingnuts were used - stamped, painted, coated, etc.?

[Joe L.]

Re: Help with 65 AC 396 Battery hold down Orig vs Repop?

ttt
Rick -- the '65 AIM (section C60, Sheet E1; same applies to L78) shows two part #'s for the battery retainer assy; #3735250, and optional #3752356. The drawing definitely shows the two J-bolt eyelets on the same side of the rod, with the center rod offset, to make the edge L-shaped brackets (4" long) and the hold down bolts lie along the L-R centerline of the battery. This corresponds to your third picture. I have a C-C repro that seems to match this.

The first picture corresponds to what I now have on my '65 air car and my L78; I know they are not correct, but what the heck ! IIRC, this is what was sold by GM as a service retainer (in one of those envelope packages with GM logo paper backing and a clear front. In this timeframe, the part may have been Gr 2.336 #533308. P&A history does NOT show the '65 AIM numbers changing to this number; even in my July '65 catalog the 533308 is all that's there for hold-downs on driver side battery installations.

The problem I see in your middle picture is that if the J-bolts are installed vertically, the straight bracket rod is then offset with respect to the battery centerline, and may interfere with the closest battery fill cap.

Would be nice if someone could post a pic of a known original retainer, even if still on the car.

Wayne-----

GM #3735250 was once available in SERVICE. It was used on 1957-58 passenger cars and most light trucks. It was discontinued in March, 1961 and replaced by GM #533308 which was also used for some 1960 and later passenger cars. However, it's possible that the 3735250 continued on for certain PRODUCTION use, possibly the Corvette applications mentioned. Or, I suppose it's also possible that the 533308 was the part actually used in PRODUCTION.

I cannot find that the GM #3752356 was ever available in SERVICE. It's possible it was but I cannot find it.