Thinking of getting a red top.
Can you use the factory hold down with the optima battery's?

Thanks

 

I did on the 66 and 67, these have a strap going over the top, from side to side. What does your car have for a hold down?

 

It's got the factory one bolt/hold down on the lower side of the battery.

 

Yes, it will work just fine.

 

Hey Steve - You have that monster driving yet?

 

Yes I got it going just waiting on a new rear diff cover! Man this thing sounds AWESOME!

What's new with you?

 

I have 2 Optima batteries. I originally bought the first one for my Dodge because the regular lead /acid battery kept leaking out-ruining the battery tray. Later on I bought one for my Cutlass. I love them. They are great- however quite pricey. Only problem I've had is because I remove the batteries every year when I store the cars for the winter- The side post threads have stripped on one terminal. I think this might happen with any battery as it's expected that usual use would be installed once. They are both aprx 8 yrs old.

 

I just put a red top in my '68 two weeks ago. The holddown works perfect, the battery is awesome.

 

I was considering purchasing the optima red top earlier this spring, although I heard that they were made in mexico now and they were not as good as years ago. I then decided to stick with the interstate battery again, the previous one lasted 9 summers so I figured it would stick with interstate for $160.
Seems like you guys are having good luck with the optima's.

 

Amazon sells Optima batteries for much less than my local suppliers like Autozone. $147.50 free shipping.
I think I read a while back that Johnson Controls owns Optima, Interstate, and others. Johnson Control supposedly makes batteries for many retailers, I read included AC Delco. Of course you read all sorts of junk on the net.
I do like Optima in my cars, and I don't care what the CCA ratings are claimed on the batteries the Optima red top I have turns the Olds faster than the AC Delco it replaced (which was still a good battery).

 

I have a red top in my zr2 blazer and the wife has a Yellow in her Tahoe both have been fine for me. plus they look cool.

 

I am really going to try to squeeze one more battery out of my KMart lifetime battery thing....then I'll go to an Optima the next time.

 

Here is the acid free gel battery I have in my 67. It is in the 67 repro delco case if you are looking for an original looking battery. it was pricey from Speedway Motors.

 

I'm old school. I think a battery should be rectangular with straight sides and be black, like the factory installed. I have used the topper with the Delco caps and unless you are looking for it, it passes inspection. I buy batteries from the local tire and battery store. I think they have 780 CCA and have lasted me 5 to 6 years.