1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

[John F.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

My battery cutoff on my 62.

[John H.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

Tim -

Here's the knife-type switch on my '67 (same as a '64).


BattDiscSwitch.JPG

[James W.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

I am replacing my 9 year old Delco maintenance free battery as we speak. I have my car judged, drive it often, have a battery disconnect wheel, and keep on a Battery Tender when not in use. For the $70 and change the new one cost me today I don't think the Delco's are a bad choice considering the last on in my '64 has lasted 9 years and the the one on my '65 is going 7 years.


Regards,

James West

[Jim D.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

I am replacing my 9 year old Delco maintenance free battery as we speak. I have my car judged, drive it often, have a battery disconnect wheel, and keep on a Battery Tender when not in use. For the $70 and change the new one cost me today I don't think the Delco's are a bad choice considering the last on in my '64 has lasted 9 years and the the one on my '65 is going 7 years.


Regards,

James West

Delco batteries from yesteryear are not the same as what you buy today. The majority of Delco batteries are now made "offshore". This comes directly from the local Delco distributor.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

Delco batteries from yesteryear are not the same as what you buy today. The majority of Delco batteries are now made "offshore". This comes directly from the local Delco distributor.

Jim-------

Even so, they now come with long free replacement periods. The 84 month batteries have a 5 year free replacement period. As I've said before, the best thing that can happen to you if you have one of these batteries is to have it fail at 5 years or less. If that happens, you get a free new battery and the warranty period starts all over again.

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

Thanks to all of you for your help. John, that is the photo I needed since my 64 and your 67 are "the same". That is exactly how I thought I might orient the knife cut off switch. When I searched the archives I got scared when several members said to beware of the two screws under the bottom plate because they may short everything out on the top lip of the battery tray/holder and they also mentioned to beware of the knife contacting any metal parts such as the fan motor housing etc. The cut-off wheel is ok, but I have learned to open my passenger door and make sure my courtesy lights go out when loosening the wheel to verify that it is truly shut off. Conversely, the knife cut off is easy because one can visually see if it is "on or off".

You all are great! I always learn so much from your comments and help and the pictures are invaluable.

Best to all of you,

Tim

[Jim D.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

Jim-------

Even so, they now come with long free replacement periods. The 84 month batteries have a 5 year free replacement period. As I've said before, the best thing that can happen to you if you have one of these batteries is to have it fail at 5 years or less. If that happens, you get a free new battery and the warranty period starts all over again.

My 08 GMC truck had the battery replaced 3 times under its 3 year warranty but when the car warranty runs out, so does the battery warranty regardless of age. I replaced the battery with an Exide and have had no further problems. I don't care what the warranty is if the battery is a POS and leaves you stranded like all the previous Delco's did.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

I had to go with the wheel for my '64, the Delco Restoration Battery I have has caps that are too big and tall to allow the knife switch to seat in the orientation shown above, and if you flip it 180, it hits the heater box.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 Delco Maintenance -free battery help

My 08 GMC truck had the battery replaced 3 times under its 3 year warranty but when the car warranty runs out, so does the battery warranty regardless of age. I replaced the battery with an Exide and have had no further problems. I don't care what the warranty is if the battery is a POS and leaves you stranded like all the previous Delco's did.

Jim-----


That seems strange because a new vehicle battery warranty is usually completely separate from the general new vehicle warranty. In any event, it does not apply to SERVICE batteries which is what I was referring to here. For those, the warranty works as I described.