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Thread: Original Battery?

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    Moderator Ooooner is on a distinguished road Ooooner's Avatar
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    Original Battery?

    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....
    Roy Bell
    1973 Opel GT
    74 Manta Rallye
    Concord, North Carolina
    Carolina Opel Club
    OMC

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    6,000 Post Club namba209 (R.I.P.) is on a distinguished road namba209 (R.I.P.)'s Avatar
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    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.
    Ron
    72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed.
    75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next

  3. #3
    Opeler Lindsay
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    Delco Energizer Y55

    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.

  4. #4
    Opeler SpringGT is on a distinguished road SpringGT's Avatar
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    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.
    Last edited by SpringGT; 05-08-2007 at 05:10 PM.

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    6,000 Post Club namba209 (R.I.P.) is on a distinguished road namba209 (R.I.P.)'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SpringGT View Post
    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.
    Ron
    72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed.
    75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next

  6. #6
    Opel Key Master opelspyder is on a distinguished road opelspyder's Avatar
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    Delco Battery

    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

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by opelspyder View Post
    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

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    Opeler SpringGT is on a distinguished road SpringGT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ooooner View Post
    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....


    I know this is an old thread, but I thought of it when I saw this e-bay ad today. It is for a '71 GT that was last registered in '76, and appears to have an original Delco "Green Eye" battery in it for those who wanted to see what one looked like. FWIW.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...5fPartsQ5fCars

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    opel free after 26 years baz is on a distinguished road baz's Avatar
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    better to copy the phots over as the add will go and then the link will not work so would not help folks in the future
    Copyright © 2003-2010 barry williams
    All Rights Reserved

    B.O.O.B. founding member


  10. #10
    Opeler Lindsay
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    Legendary Battery Toppers

    http://www.batterytoppers.com/products/
    Legendary Battery Toppers

    The Battery Topper is a simple plastic top that sets over an AC Delco or Sears 24 Series maintenance free, smooth surface, top post battery. It installs in minutes and weighs less than a pound. These toppers are constructed from injection molded plastic for quality and durability. Most importantly they are Licensed General Motors Restoration Products!

    The Battery Topper is now available in 4 different GM styles (AC Delco). It creates a "Correct" battery for automobiles that used the GM R-59 (1957 to 1972). You also receive the plastic "poison tag" to go over your battery post. Caution: Please remove or cover your Battery Topper before removing/repairing your carburetor. The contact between gasoline and your Battery Topper may cause damage to the Topper.

    Battery Topper:
    $49.95 plus $6.50 shipping and handling. Orders shipped out within 24 hours via Priority USPS (United States Postal Service), with confirmation notice.
    Terminal Post Extenders:
    $14.95 per pair with $6.50 Priority USPS Shipping.

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