Side Post Battery

[Mr70]

The R-79 his NOT being reproduced by anyone,never was nor will.To small a market for them to do this.Only a small percentage of cars in their eyes had them,so it does not make economical sense.It was only available for a short run,1970.1971 was the new R-89 Battery.I'm sure we as Muscle car owners would sure like to see the R79 remade properly.Today they all sell you a R-89 Delco battery.It has R-89 formed into the side next to E-5000.Then they sell you a top decal that says "Recommended Replacement with R79".It isn't concourse correct. The R-79 had an Elephant type texture case,and the R-89 has that.The terminal bolt sizes were each different on the R79 also.The R89 were both the same size terminal.I do have an R-79 & R89 NOS Batteries still sealed in their boxes,with warranty cards and caps in the bags.They are dry charge sealed,and can still be a reliable working battery today with care and patience.

[ORIGLS6]

I knew we could count on you. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Thanks, Rick!

[ORIGLS6]

Rick/Anyone,
What do you know about the battery offered by Year One? Their P/N HD89 says "All 1970 models and 1971-71 454 models with the T60 heavy-duty battery option. This battery has side terminals rated at 760 CCA and 950 CA. It is a reproduction of the R89W heavy-duty (Group 74) battery available in many models during the early 1970s. The battery features the correct "elephant hide" textured case and the "eye caps" for viewing the fluid level."
Has anyone seen or tried this piece? No mention of the thread size for the negative terminal.
Dennis

[Mr70]

Dennis
Thats the Reproduction Battery sold to them from Newcastle.
I believe either NewCastle or Antique Battery is the only one licensed to make it,then all the aftermarket houses buy it from them,at cost and charge what they will.
They sell you the R-79 decal and it becomes a 1970 battery.
They sell you the R-89 decal,and it stays the 1971 R-89 battery.
They all get the eye caps std.
This will not have the different size terminal bolts.to expesive for them to make.
I think you will have to settle for the R-89,no matter what.Shop around and find the best price,they are all coming from the same Factory...

[Keith Tedford]

Here is the C-89 sealed, side post battery available in the Lemans and GTO in 1972. Did the Chevelles use it?

[Mr70]

In 1972,the R89 was still the Battery used in the Chevelle.

[RonNova396L34]

mr70
I checked my hand written notes on the rear end gear code. This is what was stamped on the large gear in the rear end. GM3862689 13 43 8 69. 43 divided by 13 equals 3.31 rounded up of course. I verified this when I watch my video.
Ron

[RonNova396L34]

MR70
I just got back from looking at my friend's 66,000 mile 70 Nova 396/350 with a side post battery. His car was built May 1970 and the negative cable was grounded to the engine block at the exact same spot as mine.
Ron

[Allen]

Ron,
For what it's worth, I check my notes from when I pulled the rear end cover off mine to drain/refill the oil. Aside from the date code of 9 69, everything else is stamped the same. Also, my ground cable bolts to the block. I have no clue what battery the car came with new as it has seen too much action to still have something like that with it. I just had to check the mileage for insurance purposes (renewing). The odometer reads 32,291 ..... and it has been turned over once.

[RonNova396L34]

Allen & All:
For all of you debating the battery issue, add one more heavy duty side post battery being grounded to the engine block. I just looked at a one owner all original 70 Monte Carlo SS454 and the owner said it came with a heavy duty side post battery. The orginal cables were still there. Build date was 2nd week of October 1969. On a side note, this car was sold from the same dealer mine was sold from.
Ron [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]