oldfrat

Is an H8 the right size for my 1981 928? My research suggests it is, but would love to get confirmation before I attempt doing this as it is a rather difficult job for me.

Many thanks!

Brad

oldfrat

This board has always been so helpful to me, and I have tried to be helpful to others here. So I am amazed that 62 people have looked at my simple question and none have responded. Maybe you think it is a silly question because changing a battery is really easy for most people. Well, it is not for me due to some age related disabilities.

I would really appreciate an informed answer. Is an H8 battery right for a 1981 928? I hope to get an answer before I buy an H8 battery tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks!

Brad

Rob Edwards

Hi Brad-

As far as I'm aware the spec for 928 batteries is officially Group 49 (or H8) for 1978s with the detached battery box and Group 48 (H6) for all other cars 79-95. The H6 is definitely correct for 86-95, as it's called out in the Service Info Guide for 1986- smaller battery due to the new dual exhaust system. However, there were two battery size options between 1978 and 1981, either 66 or 88 Amp-hours, I will go out on a limb and _assume_ that the H6 was the smaller and the H8 was the larger battery.

Here's a link to a less-than completely clear discussion of these variations:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...onnection.html

All that said, if you post the last 8 digits of your VIN I can check to see if your car came with the M197 option larger 88Ah battery,

Ed Petry

I bought a Duralast from AutoZone for my 1981. It has 1000CCA and has never lost charge. unfortunately, I am unable to find it on their website.
I remove it from the vehicle in cold weather and trickle charge to keep it warm.

oldfrat

Thanks for the replies! As it turns out it is neither a Walmart H8 nor H6.

This has proven to be a more difficult project than I imagined. I bought a battery carrier strap so I could lift the former battery out with one hand. (I need the other for a cane.) I pulled the bad battery, then measured the length space I had available as 13-1/4". Walmart's H8 is well over 14" long, so I bought their H6. That is shorter than I would have liked but, most importantly, there is not enough length between the battery posts to allow the slack needed on the car's negative wiring for the battery compartment lid to close. So I've uninstalled the Walmart H6 and will return it tomorrow. If Walmart does not have one that fits I will retrieve my former battery and go back to Batteries+ where it came from in the hopes I can get another one.

Incidentally, I think an H8 might fit, but my car has some kind of curved black "cover" bolted in to rear of the battery compartment that takes up a lot of space. I felt under it and found nothing there to cover, so I have no clue what function it serves.

Brad

Billu

Both my 81 and 83 use H8. H6 is too short.

lawndart

I believe the curved cover you have is actually the battery hold down clamp. I just replaced the battery in my 83 with an H8 and it fit perfectly.

oldfrat

Thanks, Jeff! Sure wish I had learned that 7 hours ago.

Brad

jpitman2

Down Under I use a 'DIN88' and it fits well - correct length, and height. Make sure to get one with covers over the poles that snap into the case to protect against shorts.
http://www.exidebatteries.com.au/bat...urance/DIN88MF
13.8" long
jp 83 Euro S AT 57k

Wisconsin Joe

That black 'curved cover' is actually the 'ski jump' hold down.

It's in the PET.

I replaced my battery with the one listed for the 928 in the Interstate catalog. Don't know exactly which one it is, and I'm not digging under the spare and all the stuff to look right now.

It's a bit (less than an inch) short for the hold down clamp to engage.

Knyte

An old thread, but a Group 49 H8/L5 more than satisfies the M197- Stronger battery option and yet still fits. Keep that positive terminal insulated from the lid, though