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Here's a pic. Is the place where my ground clamp is bolted to the spot where the battery clamp should be bolted?
Also, are there supposed to be plugs in the holes in the bottom of the battery box?
Correct - the clamp bolts in there not the ground strap.
I'm not sure about the plugs. I thought the holes were so that acid could drain in case of any spills/venting from unsealed batteries. But if holes aren't plugged, then all sorts of crap would be thrown into the box from road where it would also be corrosion risk? Maybe you remove plugs when there has been some kind of spill but then replace when compartment dried/clean?
A concern is that the battery will become a projectile in a collision. Some blocks of wood cut to wedge the battery in, along with a clamp is what I would do if I was going to go with a smaller battery.
My battery has a vent tube, so I am able to run a hose overboard which I thought might help prevent battery box corrosion.
i have seen lots of "home brew" battery hold downs for those who use a smaller battery... unless you make a bolt down bracket of some kind, you are doing it wrong.
Hmmm...I'll have to go back to WalMart and have a chat with them. IIRC, the original ground point was causing issues, so it was relocated to where it is now. The additional wires to the poles are for an accessory adapter (cigarette lighter style).
The larger battery is fitted up to '86, then as of '86.5 the battery box was made smaller to allow the dual exhaust to run from the right side across the rear of the diff to the muffler.
The first clamp pictured will work on both long and short battery boxes, and it connects as stated to the top back of the box and presses down on the rear lip of the battery.
I've never seen the second one pictured, but thinking it would be correct for the earlier cars.
Im reviving this old thread because I have doubts about 79 battery sizes. Tony's mokka latte had a small battery with a home made angle iron bracket. this bracket was attached into the factory weld nut provided on the bottom of the box in the correct position for a small battery. In addition when you fit the large battery the ground strap is too long ...see pic. Another informational nugget is that on tony's really original 79 USA car there's undercoating sprayed up into the bolt hole for the large battery bracket. there's original primer in there and i can tell you there's never been a bolt in that hole. I have a few 79 euro parts cars, they have large battery brackets, and SHORTER ground straps. The box was designed for 2 battery sizes, with two different ground straps.
04-02-2013, 12:50 PM
