Original Battery?

[Ooooner]

Does anyone know what type battery was in the GT's originally? I am needing to replace my battery and I thought I would try to get something very close to the original. I am figuring it was a Delco Battery. I know there are some places that sell "Vintage looking" batteries for cars.
Also, any thoughts on Cold Cranking Amps for the GT would be great, too.

Thanks....

[namba209]

Roy, just a guess, but measure the battery tray for size, then measure the clearance between the radiator support and sheetmetal in front of it. If you can slide those dimensions down in front of the radiator, you're over. I just checked my owner's manual and there is no battery size indicated.

[Lindsay]

From 1973 OPEL FSM:
Delco-General 12 volt-44 amp hour storage battery. Replace with Delco Energizer Y55. 8 5/8" 6 1/16" 8 3/8" H.

Common, Current Size 26R:
8 3/16" 6 13/16" 7 3/4" H.

Used 26R batteries, but appeared small in my OPGTS fiberglass battery tray.
I switched to 75/35 size (or 75/25) Optima.

Looked in 1972 Opel GT Owners Manual, but no reference to battery size.

[SpringGT]

Roy,
My GT came new with a Delco-Remy battery with one of the glowing green eyes in the top to indicate a proper fluid level. IIRC It was rather small, something on the order of 6" X 9" and maybe 7" tall. In a stock GT it would easily pass between the body and radiator bulkhead. However, it would not pass by the AC condenser after I put that in. I had to put small loops in the condenser hoses so that I could swing the condenser up and out of the way when new battery time came around. HTH
Bob

Also, I don't think that it completely filled the stock battery tray.

[namba209]

Originally Posted by SpringGT However, it would not pass by the AC condenser after I put that in. I had to put small loops in the condenser hoses so that I could swing the condenser up and out of the way when new battery time came around. HTH Bob

That's the reason for the belly pan access panel in AC equipped GTs. But you still have to jack up the car to get the battery down and out. If you don't the battery posts will arc and spark against the body. Don't ask.

[opelspyder]

Does anyone have an original battery for a GT or Kadett in 12Volt?
I would like some pictures of the original, non replaced battery. Surely someone threw one out back. I want to know the part number as Y55 was the replacement of it, not necessarly the OE battery. Any help would be great
Keith

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by opelspyder Does anyone have an original battery for a GT or Kadett in 12Volt? I would like some pictures of the original, non replaced battery. Surely someone threw one out back. I want to know the part number as Y55 was the replacement of it, not necessarly the OE battery. Any help would be great Keith

I'm not at home now to check, but I'm pretty sure there's a photo of the original Delco battery in one of my manuals. I remember the original battery in our '73 1900. It lasted a long time, and then sat around in the garage a while, but unfortunately we disposed of it years ago. I believe it was grayish in color and one distinguishing feature was that it had a dam around the area of the filler caps. This would prevent acid from running down the side and rotting out your battery tray. Too bad most replacements did not have this feature also.

These days I use Delco 26R batteries which are the closest to original in my mind.

Bill