Battery and Vintage topper selection

Discussion in 'Stock Appearing' started by Rob Swenton, Oct 9, 2020.

  1. Rob Swenton

    Rob Swenton Well-Known Member

    I have looked through several posts here and there are a few ideas about the selection of a battery and a vintage topper cover.

    I Have a 70 GS 455 I would like to give that original factory appearance look to the battery. I think the battery was a group 34??

    So my question is for those of you who have gone through this......

    Which battery did you buy?
    Which topper cover?
    Was there any modifications that needed to be done?

    Thanks
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    With the topper, you need a battery WITHOUT raised filler caps, it has to be flat. Simple as that.

    I have the GM AC Delco R-59 Battery topper,

    http://batterytoppers.com/products/

    Yes group 24 batteries. Dimensions are 10 1/4" long, 6 13/16" wide, and 8 3/4" tall. 1970 cars use top mount. I believe you can also use a Group 34, same dimensions.

    Most people at car cruises think it's a vintage battery, I have to tell them it's a topper.:D

    You need a flat top battery to avoid having to use extenders, like this one,

    https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...VSsDICh2j3g9eEAAYASAAEgLVVPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2020
  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Group 24 is what recall.

    Depending on your battery and cable ends, you may need the optional battery post extenders.
     
  4. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Has anyone used the R-59 Battery Topper along with Optima Batteries (RT S 3.7 or RT S 4.2)?
    The current battery in my GS (Duralast 124-DL) is 6 or 7 years old and I do not want to get surprised with a sudden death of it.
    In Germany it is hard to find a replacement which fits the R-59 topper. However, Optima batteries I would be able to get. For the classic look I would build something, which covers up the shape of the Optima body.
    Thanks
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    As long as the top of the battery is flat WITHOUT raised vent caps, and the size (10 1/4 X 6 13/16 X 9 1/2) is the same, the topper will work.
     
  6. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Larry, I am concerned about the position of the poles. Is that postion somewhat standardized?
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    As long as the length and width of the battery is correct, I would say yes. Go on the Optima site and look at the dimensions, or contact them and ask. It's a Group 24.

    I would be leery of Optima batteries,

    https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/redtop-starting-battery

    The terminal spacing may not work.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2020
  8. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Sorry, here I come to the limit of my english. What do you mean by that?
    I searched the web for pics or data about the terminals, but was not able to find anything about the terminals.
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Leery means cautious or wary. Looking at the pictures of the optima batteries (click the link and scroll down), the terminal spacing looks different. I have a topper on a Bosch battery. I'll measure the terminal spacing (center to center) this afternoon and post it.
     
  10. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Larry, this is almost like a live chat :)
    I appreciate your offer, but there is no need for it, as my current battery works with the topper. So I measured that dimension already. I'll probably end up contacting Optima, asking for the dimensions. I had hoped, that someone here on the board has the combination already in use.
     
    Max Damage likes this.
  11. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Did it anyway. Was in the garage working out, the car was right there. I make it about 8 1/4" (~21 cm).

    BattTopper2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2020
    Kirk600 and Cutlass like this.
  12. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Bookmarked for future mod. Thanks guys!
     
  13. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thats what I measured for the terminals as well (210mm), measuring the topper, the distamce is more like 205mm. Do the toppers come with the holes for the terminals drilled?
     
  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes.
     
  15. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Well I contacted Optima in Germany for some info. They did not even bother to reply. Customer service here in Germany unfortunately sucks quite often.
    I went with a Bosch battery. The only one which was ok in regards to fit had a white body. So I went ot a guy who wraps cars and got some vinil wrap.
    Before:
    IMG_0821.JPG IMG_0822.JPG
    and after:
    IMG_0826.JPG IMG_0824.JPG
    Spring can come, I am ready :)
     
    Kirk600 and buicksWILD like this.
  16. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yup, I have the Bosch battery as well. Mine was black fortunately. Looks good.
     
  18. wallypep

    wallypep Silver Level contributor

    This battery does not work with the battery toppers
     

    Attached Files:

  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Like I said, you need a battery WITHOUT raised filler caps.

    Raised filler caps, the battery topper can't sit flat because it hits the filler caps.

    bat2.JPG
    WITHOUT raised filler caps,

    bat1.JPG
     
  20. wallypep

    wallypep Silver Level contributor

    That battery doesn’t have raised caps , the problem is the post are towards the center of the battery , the post have to be closer to the outer edge
     

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