Details-Can Am battery
 

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.

http://i1.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/53/a5/e128_12.JPG

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.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...nAm3210002.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...nAm3210003.jpg

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...

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...an/CanAm-2.jpg

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

http://fiedlerh.home.att.net/images/DelcoR89small.jpg

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

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.

Right you are. Thank you. Easily corrected.

http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/_borders/gmdel8.gif

A better view of the battery:


http://image.highperformancepontiac...._energizer.jpg

I spent a little time with Photoshop:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...OR89DANGER.jpg

http://fiedlerh.home.att.net/images/DelcoR89small.jpg

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?

http://image.highperformancepontiac...._energizer.jpg

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...

http://image.highperformancepontiac...._energizer.jpg


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.

http://image.highperformancepontiac....directions.jpg

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

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.

Thanks for the information.

No problem. Nice cars by the way!

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

Attachment 199093 Attachment 199094

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

4 Speed.....Yes sir!

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

Canamman -

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

K

AutoZone 78-DLG

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znet...8-DLG/image/5/

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.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0004.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0005.jpg

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.

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

http://abodysite.com/73gtocarsmag02.jpg

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

K

I have had excellent luck with the Autozone Duralast Gold batteries-one of the very few items I would recommend purchasing from Autozone. They are manufactured in the USA by Johnson Controls, and I was able to get 9 years out of my first one. Five of my vehicles are equipped with them. The Group 78 battery that I bought for the vintage Pontiacs has a generous reserve capacity, stout 800 CCA, and a 8 YR. warranty with 3 YR. free replacement. With the supplied tray spacer, it fit well in the tray and factory vinyl dipped wire retainer. The only issue I have with the Duralast Gold batteries is that they had that ugly bright yellow top-it stuck out like a sore pecker and doesn't look original at all, Hence the reason for the topper. The topper fit snugly over the top of the battery. Only modification was I had to cut off the plastic carrying strap that came with the battery.

Never had any luck with AZ parts.

I run Deka Batteries with good results

Mike

Yes, me also. That is why I made the comment, "one of the very few items I would recommend purchasing from Autozone."

;)

I struck it lucky yesterday. I purchased a rotted 1971 GrandVille parts car solely for its 455 engine. Oddly, the car still had a 1976 vintage Delco R89W battery in it, and all of the charcoal arrestor caps were present. These will make the topper in the Can Am more authentic. Now, I need 6 more for my '73 GTO..(LOL)
pics to follow.

As promised..

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...n/DSCN0080.jpg

Horst, are you still planning to reproduce the correct decal?

Yes, but I'm finding out there were dozens of Delco battery numbers. I suppose it would make sense to do the R89S and the R89W since those batteries are being reproduced plus the R89 for the standard battery. You could put the R89 label on an R89S and no one would know the difference. The artwork to make the 3 labels is done.

Wish I knew what cars and years got these labels. Pretty sure about 73-74, but beyond that I don't know. Trouble is if I start selling these, people would expect me to be an expert, i.e. "Is this label correct for my points judged 76 Corvette?". "Hell-if-I-know" is not a good answer. The list at http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/prod03.htm has been "genericized" and is not 100% correct. Guess I'll have to scrounge up some old Delco battery catalogs. HPP also has a pretty good article on old Delco batteries.

Since your 1976 battery had it, it is probably safe to assume it is correct thru at least 1976 for Pontiac. Anyone know if 1977 was the changeover year to the Delco Freedom battery? The Can Am brochure shows the R89 style battery/label, but it was probably produced in 1976.

When you have them available, I will be interested in purchasing three R89W decals.

;)

Canamman, Is your battery hold down original, NOS or a reproduction? It's looks a little different than mine.

It is the original one, and it looks the same as the one in my '73 and '76, and my NOS spares.

While doing some research on the net, I came across many photos of a NOS R89W battery with a date stamp of August 10th,1973. It did not come with the charcoal flame arrestor caps. I wonder when the changeover occurred?

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0004.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0005.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0006.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/R89w0007.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ansenus001.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ansenus004.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ug/r89w027.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ug/r89w028.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ug/r89w029.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ug/r89w030.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...ug/r89w031.jpg

I saw that too. It was for sale locally. Sounds like labeling was done in anticipation of the new law.

I did a little internet digging on the law and came up with this from 1974 referring to federal law 16 CFR 1500.121:

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/advisory/93.pdf
The strange thing about that letter is that Mr. Roche's son is a good friend of mine and works as a lawyer, so I'll ask him.

It appears here http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...fr1500.121.pdf to maybe have started Sept. 27, 1973.

A little digging on the flame arrestor caps.

http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/...4.81-1417.html
Note: "The Fosters also introduced proof that all 1974 General Motors automobiles produced in 1973 were equipped with Delco batteries which had explosion-proof caps... "

So it doesn't appear it wasn't a law as the HPP article says, just an engineering improvement by Delco. Who knows. Around that time any number of agencies were making safety laws.

BTW here's a top post for sale
http://maine.craigslist.org/pts/1723244423.html

So, correct me if I am wrong..the flame arrestor caps would be correct for 1974 model year cars and newer (cars produced from 9/73) ?

Many thanks for researching this topic, Horst.

Based on that court testimony it appears the flame arrestor caps started for the 1974 model year. I need to find other ways to confirm that. I asked Rocky Rotella if he had any early Delco battery info and he did not.

I found this site: http://delcoremyhistory.com/ a few excerpts:
"1969-The Delco Freedom Battery was introduced which was a maintenance-free, lead calcium design.
1971- Pontiac was the first GM vehicle line to receive the Freedom Battery.
DR introduced the Unitized Ignition System.

1973 - The High Energy Ignition goes into production in Plant 20 as a 1974 model year product.

1975 - The Delco Freedom Battery becomes standard on all GM vehicles."

More info
http://delcoremyhistory.com/Products/battery.htm

Here is a 1973 SS El Camino. I can't tell if the caps are the flame arrestor design, but the Danger decal is clearly visible.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1272999556

Here is an advertisement from Oct. 1973. This battery has the Delco logo vented caps.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1273000316

Here is another Delco advertisement from Nov. 1973. It also shows the Delco logo vented caps.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...2&d=1273001368

This ad from Dec. 1974 shows the charcoal flame arrestor caps.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...5&d=1273004363

February 1973:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1273006499

December 1975:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...4&d=1273007375

Here is an advertisement from December 1976. This one shows all of the "old" style batteries, and the then new Freedom battery.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...5&d=1273008119

March 1977. No mention of the new Freedom battery.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...6&d=1273008969

Here is an '73 Olds Omega from April, 1973. It appears to have the Delco logo vented caps. So it appears that the 1973 cars used them, and used the danger decal. I guess I will leave the topper in the GTO the way it is.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1273066079

November, 1972

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1273078030

Wow! great info!
Magazine ads have at least a 2 month lead time and the people doing the ad may not have the latest product photos. They probably figure most people won't notice anyway.
The vehicle photos are more evidence that 1974 was the start of the gray flame arrestor caps and that the label was used in 1973.

This 1971 dated replacement tar top battery has the same exact DANGER decal as the assembly line 1973-77 batteries do.

http://www.corvairkid.com/images/Delco_556_71.jpg

Great info indeed. I'll be replacing the battery in the Can Am in the coming week. It has a newer AC-Delco in it now, produced in the late 90's, which finally gave up the ghost and will not take a charge.

Brian, I will keep a look out for a set of the correct charcoal flame arrestor caps for your topper.


Horst,

Any updates on the Danger decal?

Thanks, Rick! I assume this topper fits a group-78 size battery case?

Yup, Brian.


I used an AutoZone 78-DLG. Made in the USA by Johnson Controls.

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znet...8-DLG/image/5/

Here is a closeup of the correct caps. These 4 are in an auction for a damaged R79 NOS Delco battery. The battery is essentially worthless now, and he is missing two caps..

http://i.ebayimg.com/01/!B34See!CGk~...CyQ8w~~_12.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-R...item43a1fbf5b4