[77 Canamman]

Here is a nice detail item for your Can Am. I just purchased a R-89 battery topper, and installed it. It took alittle work and time, but the appearance is authentic, and the reliability is unaffected. The reproduction batteries just plain suck, and are very expensive.

The R-89 topper, available through our board sponsor, along with just about any restoration parts retailer. About $50. The quality is very good, however, all of the separate vent caps did not press into the topper very well. A small amout of massaging to the holes with a Dremel tool made them fit nice. I also drilled the very small holes in each of the vent caps to add to the realism.



A couple of shots of the topper installed in my Can Am. The Dremel tool was needed again to remove some excess vinyl dip coating from the original hold down bracket. This is necessary to enable the bracket fit it over the topper. It is a tight fit, but it works well.





Here is a photo from a Can Am drive report from 1977. Notice the R-89 battery. The major difference is the decal, which really needs to be reproduced. The catalogs say the R-89 was used through 1975, but this article proves otherwise...



Here is the decal that should be produced for both the toppers, and the reproduction batteries. Courtesy Horst Fiedler

[Old Goat 67]

I think I remember correctly that the Delco Eye cap was supposed to be in the second cell from the positive post.

[6 Grrrs]

That's cool. I can use one on my '66. I went with a side post battery/cables for a cleaner look (not interested in 100% accuracy/concours correct). I do like factory appearance, though. The topper that belongs on my car has holes for the pos & neg posts (supposed to be tar top). The R89 topper will be perfect for an OEM appearance in my application.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by Old Goat 67

I think I remember correctly that the Delco Eye cap was supposed to be in the second cell from the positive post.

Right you are. Thank you. Easily corrected.

[77 Canamman]

A better view of the battery:

[77 Canamman]

I spent a little time with Photoshop:

[fiedlerh]

I suppose I should have some printed if people are interested.

My original 74 battery is smooth, not textured like the reproduction. Did Delco change to a textured finish at some point?

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by fiedlerh

I suppose I should have some printed if people are interested.

My original 74 battery is smooth, not textured like the reproduction. Did Delco change to a textured finish at some point?

The R-89 battery was the base battery with the V8 engines.
Physical Features:
Model E5000 R89S
• GM Part No. 1980147
• 1973-1975
• The Delco half-circles are still on the sides, smooth top like R-59.
• On the front, centered in an indentation between the positive and negative posts, is "E5000 R89S."
• The top reads: "Delco Energizer."
• On the bottom of the right side, a small plate reads: "Cranking Power At 0 3250 Watts."
• The bottom of the left side, in a small indentation, reads: "Delco-Remy. Anderson, indiana. Made in usa."

Not currently reproduced...




The R-89W (the style the topper is patterened after) has a grained top and sides.

Delco-Remy R89W Energizer
A heavy-duty version of the R89-series battery was called the R89W and was ordered with RPO code T60 (1973) or UA1 (1974-1977).

Model E5000 R89W
• GM Part No. 1980150
• 1973-1977 (Heavy-Duty)
• On the front, centered between the positive and negative posts, is a plate that reads: "E5000 R89W."
• The top reads: "Delco Energizer."
• On the right side is a 3-inch plate approximately 2.75 inches from the top that reads:"Cranking Power At 0-degrees 3750 Watts."
• A 5-inch plate approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom reads: "DELCO-REMY. Anderson, indiana. Made in USA."
• On the left side, there's also a 5-inch plate approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom that reads: "Delco-Remy. Anderson, indiana. Made in USA."

Another Delco-Remy battery is the C89, Pontiac's very first maintenance-free battery, which is listed in factory literature as a Group 74, sealed-case, side-terminal battery. It featured 3,750 watts of cranking power at 0 degrees, 80 amp hours.



I would be interested in three decals if you decide to have them reproduced, Horst.

[LEADSOLO]

I don't know which battery you meant that's "not currently produced"......But both of these batteries are sold by Antique Auto Battery from Ohio.

I have purchased both. The R89W is in my '71 455 HO, & the R89S is in my '73 GTO.

[77 Canamman]

Thanks for the information.

[LEADSOLO]

No problem. Nice cars by the way!

Here's our '73 GTO.......

[77 Canamman]

Thank you. I have seen your '73 at Carlisle. 4 speed car if I recall.

[LEADSOLO]

4 Speed.....Yes sir!

[77 Canamman]

Very nice. There are three 4 speed cars in NY/PA that I am aware of.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Here is a nice detail item for your Can Am. I just purchased a R-89 battery topper, and installed it. It took alittle work and time, but the appearance is authentic, and the reliability is unaffected. The reproduction batteries just plain suck, and are very expensive.

Canamman -

What brand/type battery did you install the topper over?

K

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Canamman -

What brand/type battery did you install the topper over?

K

AutoZone 78-DLG

[fiedlerh]

I've been looking into the repro stickers and have the artwork done. It seems Delco had dozens of battery numbers for vehicle variations over the years. The 3 most popular appear to be R89, R89S and R89W, since that is what is being reproduced. The R89 and the R89S appear to look identical, so one could get the R89S and sticker it for R89 if the HD battery option wasn't ordered with the car.

As near as I have been able to figure out, the above Danger decal was probably used starting in 1973 due to DOT regulations requiring charcoal flame arrestor battery caps. Thus for 1973-up the Red Delco caps are incorrect and the plain charcoal gray caps and no Delco eye shoud be used.

The sticker would have been used until the Delco Feedom batteries came out around 76-77.

The small silver and black stickers offered by the repro battery companies are possibly for 72 and earlier or for over-the-counter batteries. Not sure.

1973-up over-the-counter batteries had a different sticker with circular date punch-outs for warranty purposes.

[77 Canamman]

Thank you, Horst for the information. Now if somebody would repop the charcoal flame arrestor style caps, and the correct decal, we would be that much more accurate. Even though the R89W with the red Delco logos and the eye is incorrect for the '73-'77 cars, it still looks a lot nicer than the yellow topped AutoZone Gold or other commonly available battery on the market.

[77 Canamman]

This 455 '73 GTO was equipped with the optional maintenance free Delco battery.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

AutoZone 78-DLG

Thanks. The Grand Prix is going to need a battery this year so I am considering my options.

K