Hey guys, hoping someone can help me out with this. I'm installing a new battery, when taking the old one out I noticed it wasn't secured well. the plastic hold down strap that goes across the top was loose. First I thought maybe the battery is too small but after looking under I think i'm missing the battery tray. I have plastic inner fenders that also continue under the battery area. Is there supposed to be a metal tray bolted to the plastic inner fender for an 83 delta? This would raise the battery height and allow the strap to secure it tightly. I have a group 75 battery and can't seem to find a tray to match it. Thanks in advance for any help.
-Rob

 

Hi Rob
I don't know anything about your vintage of car, but one way or another that battery should be secured! If you got into an emergency situation and had to swerve real hard or locked up the brakes and went into a skid you don't want the battery sliding into the fan or shorting out on the hood

I know they make aftermarket battery trays and I'd encourage you to check out your local auto parts stores to see if you can find one on the shelf. If you strike out there post here again and we'll see if we can help you find one online somewhere.

John

 

There is a plastic spacer that goes underneath the battery. I believe it is around 3/4" - 1" thick.
Nothin' fancy. It's GM we're talking about here.

 

Thanks for the response. I figured there was some spacer that was missing. Guess I can rig something up. It's just nice to have the part that's meant for it.

 

I can't seem to find any spacer for the battery tray, I've searched and searched using all keywords. Anyone have a picture or a part number for it? I'd rather not put a piece of wood under it instead.

 

They look like the bottom of a milk crate. You could probably just use a battery tray from a 78-88 mustang or a universal boat tray instead of the original setup, and be better off to boot.

http://www.backtoboating.com/Scripts...p?idproduct=94

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/ite...s+%26+Hardware

 

I was thinking to just get a universal tray with the hold downs. I guess I can secure the new tray by screwing it to the inner fender. Thanks for taking the time to put up those links.

 

I don't remember any spacer under my Custom Cruiser's battery, but I'm also using a Group 78 in it. It fits fine and the hold-down strap fits snugly against it. I need to check and see how old that battery is too.

Even though Interstate's chart shows these cars can also use a Group 75, I have often found the charts are not accurate. As in it calls for a Group 24 or Group 78 for my 69 Toronado which is absolutely wrong. It uses a still readily-available Group 27 as do the 65-70 big cars.

Had Sears tell me one time they had to sell me the battery their catalog called for, which was a 24. I told 'em in that case they just wouldn't sell me a battery. When I told the guy that he brought out the Group 27 and installed it, and everyone was happy.

Moral- never argue with the man who knows his car. And if someone tries to tell you your 66-70 Toro or 65-70 big car has to use a Group 24, tell them it uses a Group 27 and that's what you expect to buy.

Lack of maintenance shortens battery life, but having too small a battery for your application is worse.

 

I'll pull my battery and get you a pic if I have some time later this evening.

 

X2 with my 84.

 

Ok so a group 78 battery must be about an inch taller than the 75, there is almost an inch of play below the plastic strap that goes over the top with the group 75 batt in there. I'll have to see if I can look up the height of a group 78. I know this seems like a lot of trouble to go through for this battery but I'd rather it be the proper size and fit snugly like it was meant to.

 

Actually, all of the big cars up to, probably 1975 (definitely up to the '73 I have, and I see no reason why they would have changed anything in the following 2 years).
The listing said Group 24 for mine as well, but I had measured the tray, and saw that the Group 27 measurements were exactly the same. The Group 27 battery fit in so perfectly, it practically went "Thwump!" when I nudged it into position.

- Eric

 

I did some investigating and it seems that most of the different battery brands recommend both group 75 and 78. Group 78 has a longer length and seems to have a little more cranking amps compared to the 75. The different brands are actually slightly different dimensions also. For example: DieHard is 11 inches, while Bosch is 10.2 inches long. The widths also vary slightly.
So I'm thinking I will go with the largest battery that will fit within the tray. This should eliminate sliding. Putting a half inch spacer between the top hold-down strap and battery seemed to snug it up. (I tried this with the old battery as the heights of the group 75 and 78 are the same.)

 

I pulled the spacer for you, but can't seem to find my camera now. do you get cellular phone pictures?