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#1
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Q re- Delco R59 Energizer
hi, friends,
i've got one of these guys here mid 90s NOS is this a trustworthy battery for regular usage? thanks, mike |
#2
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A near 30 year old NOS battery most likely won't last long, if it even functions at all.
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#3
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Was it stored dry?
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I'm World's Best Hyperbolist !! |
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#4
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Mid '90s? I'm no expert, but that looks more "mid '70s" to me.
Guessing the ol' Delco was nothing special in terms of CCA or reserve capacity when new. Aside from nostalgia, "concours correct" restoration, and the fact that you already own it...there's no reason to bolt that into your vehicle. At any rate, verify electrolyte level, charge it fully, and have it load tested to see if it has reasonable capacity. |
#5
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bone dry .. looks like it's never been filled/used
I ass-umed 90s as I've got a lot of parts for the car that were originally sourced back then. assuming it is unused, would it make a good battery once charged up? |
#6
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Fill with acid, charge to 100% if it will do it. Have it checked for voltage, capacity, and load. If it passes all 3 tests, expect it to last about 4 years like a new battery from that era.
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#7
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thanks, fellas
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#8
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That's the battery that came in my TA, new..it didn't last long.
Battery technology has improved since then. If you want an original looking battery, then yes...
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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... |
#9
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The best thing to do, and why finding these dry cores has become popular (and rather difficult now), is to cut the case open and use a modern battery inside, that way you always have the "original" look.
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#10
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__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
#11
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https://www.firebirdcentral.com/R59_...r_p/bat-81.htm
I went with the Battery topper for "looks". using a Walmart battery kept on a tender in the off season. |
#12
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Exactly what I've done Bill on a couple cars here.
If done correctly and detailed as they should be (because most aren't exactly correct), the battery topper actually fools people, which I find a little funny but they do give the period correct look. For those that are extremely picky, these original dry cases as the OP has posted here are very popular for conversions as I already mentioned. It's a step above a battery topper. With the insides gutted and a modern battery inside, you don't have to worry about the thing quitting after a year or three and then becoming a door stop. It's there for eternity and you don't have to switch it out just for shows anymore either. Plus it's much more pleasant to gut them when found in their original unfilled dry condition than if the thing has already been used. Here's a shot of one of mine with just a battery topper. They don't even make a correct battery topper for this application, so I extensively modified it switching polarity and changing colors etc.... so those that actually know what they are looking at with this particular car actually think it's a real battery, at least at first glance LOL |
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#13
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Result looks very sharp Larry!
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Buzzards gotta eat... same as worms. |
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#14
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The toppers are fine but my ride is very rare, and I went again with a glass mat reproduction R59 from Summit. The last one was over 11 years old and still looked pretty good on the load test. Thought it was time to replace it and now have a new one. I use a cutoff switch and Battery Tender when not in use. The problem is these reproductions are very expensive however, if I can get 10+ years out of them, that is not a bad deal..
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#15
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I'd be temped to leave it dry and install as a dummy. Relocate the real battery to the trunk.
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#16
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Sell it to someone who needs it for their trailer queen show car.
Use the proceeds to buy a few good new batteries of your choice as needed. Just because you have it doesn’t mean you have to use it. If you’re into swapping it in just for car shows for the sake authenticity then leave it dry and have fun with it.
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
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