[6d7gto]

This was an older want ad thread:

Originally Posted by 60sstuff View Post
The battery tray.

What style are the 2 tabs (short ones), NOT THE MOUNTING TABS.

Are they almost flat?

Or are they the tabs with the curve?

Thanks, Chris.

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I found this older thread while searching for the correct battery tray for 1967 GTO's.


I asked Chris this question hoping he could help me understand the differences on 1967 GTO battery trays:

"Why did you ask curved or straight tabs? Do you know why there is a difference? Apparently, there were two ways of holding down the battery depending on when the car was built. From what I gather, later built GTO's used the small bracket at the bottom of the battery, while earlier built ones utilized a rubber coated wire with a loop on top using a long 8" bolt for the hold down. Hope you can shed light on this subject".

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Thought it would be good to ask on the 1966-67 GTO forums so I copied and pasted it here. Open for discussion.

[Jeff Hamlin]

The TAB reference is the 2 small "tabs" between the mounting tabs.
The straight tabs would be the early tray that uses the "strap & Bolt"

While the later tray tabs have a curvature/bend to catch the bottom portion of the battery in a slot with a retainer and short bolt,
to secure the new style battery within the hold-down slot.

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

The TAB reference is the 2 small "tabs" between the mounting tabs.
The straight tabs would be the early tray that uses the "strap & Bolt"

While the later tray tabs have a curvature/bend to catch the bottom portion of the battery in a slot with a retainer and short bolt,
to secure the new style battery within the hold-down slot.

Exactly ^^^^
1967 was the year for the second design tray.

[6d7gto]

Thanks guys!

Apparently the early built 1967 GTO's had the first style installed from the factory. Does anyone know when the change came in the 1967 model year?

I just bought an NOS tray with the curved tabs and it has no lock down nut for the long bolt to screw into. Just a ridge there instead of the welded in nut. The part number is 9788900 but here's one on Ebay that does have the welded nut:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11557631468...YaAgQLEALw_wcB

[6d7gto]

Just looked it up in my parts book (group 2.333). Not much help there. It does have two styles listed under that part number (9788900); the early '67 style and of course all 1966 T6 T8's came with the first design.

[Jeff Hamlin]

I'm also not aware of the change date, but I think regardless of whether it was a Strap or Clamp hold-down, there should be a welded nut.

[6d7gto]

That's what I am thinking too Jeff. Possible glitch in the stamping process (omitting the punch out of the square hole) where the welded nut goes? Or maybe it has the wrong part number on it, and it was used on a different application that used some sort of springy wire strap around the ridge to the top of the battery for a hold down instead of bracket with bolt method? Just grasping at straws. I contacted the seller to see what he says.

Thanks Jeff for all your responses. You are an invaluable wealth of information on this forum!

[6d7gto]

Just realized I don't know how the first design hold down strap attaches to the front of the car. Is there a place on the core support for it? Do you drill a hole on top of the core support for a sheet metal screw? I understand the long bolt goes through the loop in the strap down to the weld in nut but where does the other side toward the front of the car go??? Seems like it would be floating in air!

Yet another battery tray question: What are the two weld in nuts on the triangular shaped flap for? Engine accessories?

[Jeff Hamlin]

There is a provision/welded nut on the core support for the early Strap Hold-Down.

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

There is a provision/welded nut on the core support for the early Strap Hold-Down.

Hmmm...mine does not have any such provision on the core support on either side (passenger or driver side). There is a large round hole on top (both sides) in the general vicinity. But those holes are not in line with the center of the battery tray. Must be a tell tale sign my car did not have the first design. If that is the case, good to know!

Hats off to you once again Jeff!

P.S. All batteries must have been the same exact height for that wire hold down to be universal on the earlier models. I can see why they went to the bottom hold down clamp.

[Kenth]

Originally Posted by 6d7gto

Yet another battery tray question: What are the two weld in nuts on the triangular shaped flap for? Engine accessories?

They are for the screws that holds the tray to the drivers side inner fender.

For 6 cyl cars the nuts are on the other side as the battery on 6 cyl 1966-67 cars sits on passenger side.

The same tray was used for both 1966 and 1967 v8, only the clamp differs.
And, there is an indication early 1967 uses the upper clamp.

This is from the 1967 assembly manual (look at the date on sheet:

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by Kenth

They are for the screws that holds the tray to the drivers side inner fender.

For 6 cyl cars the nuts are on the other side as the battery on 6 cyl 1966-67 cars sits on passenger side.

The same tray was used for both 1966 and 1967 v8, only the clamp differs.
And, there is an indication early 1967 uses the upper clamp.

This is from the 1967 assembly manual (look at the date on sheet:

Thanks Kenth. Is there a bracket that supports/attaches the triangular shaped portion of the battery tray to the inner fender? Mine is missing.

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by 6d7gto

Thanks Kenth. Is there a bracket that supports/attaches the triangular shaped portion of the battery tray to the inner fender? Mine is missing.

Sorry for all the questions. With the front clip being off the car and in pieces, I have to visualize where everything goes. My visualizer ain't what it used to be.

Looking at the driver's wheelhouse, I see two large holes up front where the battery tray must attach without a bracket.

[Kenth]

Originally Posted by 6d7gto

Looking at the driver's wheelhouse, I see two large holes up front where the battery tray must attach without a bracket.

Yes, that is correct.

[GT182]

My 66 has the long bolt that hooks into the tray and the rod across the top that hooks into the header and the long upright rod is where the top rod and upright one goes into it with the nut holding everything together. Original for the 66 cars.
My GTO was built the 4th week of March 66 in Baltimore.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Gary this change only pertains to '67.

This is my Friend's 2nd week of March '67 with the hold-down changeover.

Lower bracket & no bolt provision in upper core support.

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by GT182

My 66 has the long bolt that hooks into the tray and the rod across the top that hooks into the header and the long upright rod is where the top rod and upright one goes into it with the nut holding everything together. Original for the 66 cars.
My GTO was built the 4th week of March 66 in Baltimore.

Is there anyway you can attach a photo of what you just described? Will be extremely helpful to those researching this subject. Great forum for passing on important info to future 66-67 enthusiasts.

Thanks to all who posted!

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Gary this change only pertains to '67.

This is my Friend's 2nd week of March '67 with the hold-down changeover.

Lower bracket & no bolt provision in upper core support.

Core support looks the same as my November 29, 1966 build date. No provision for the earlier hold down to attach to the core support so the change must have come before this date.