PM70

I know this is a really dumb question but I haven't worked on cars for over 30 years; Is there any trick to changing out a battery on these cars I should know about? Also, is there a particular battery you guys recommend? 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible. Thanks.

RetroRanger

A lot of cars have had the battery cables changed over the years be sure to get a battery that fits your car and cables.

advance auto has a good selection of batteries and if you buy online and pick up in store you can generally get 20% off w a coupon code at the top of the webpage.

i recently replaced my batt w a gel cell ( no outgassing or fluid leaks that destroy the battery area of the car) it has a 3 yr replacement warrenty not prorated 3 yr replacement. They have other lesser warrentied batteries too.

Vintage Chief

Your vehicle utilizes a negative (-) ground. It’s best to remove the negative battery cable first, then remove the positive (+) battery cable. This helps to eliminate the chance you inadvertently create an unsafe situation should you accidentally touch the (+) battery cable to the frame grounding out your battery while the (-) terminal remains connected. Reverse the order for installation: hookup (+) cable first to battery.

Olds64

I had bad luck with Optima AGM batteries, but I wouldn't be against trying another. Usually I get a battery at Costco/Sam's Club/BJs. They seem to have the best price around. They'll even install it for you if you aren't mechanically inclined.

JOHNNYOLDS442

Not for nothing but i buy the cheapest walmart battery $49 been using them for years no issues.
I look at it this way id rather buy 4 walmart batteries versus one expensive one but never had to.

joe_padavano

I've had great results with WalMart batteries, though they aren't as cheap as they used to be.

Mr Shifty Sidney

I have used Batteries Plus for the last few batteries I have bought. I started buying from them after my old boss had one of there batteries go bad. It was in a used car and he was not the original purchaser of the battery. They still honored the warranty. The store local to me has competent employees. They will install the battery for free. I am usually in and out in 15 - 20 minutes. On my 70 Cutlass I did not have them install, I carried in the old battery and exchanged. I usually ask for a "blem"(battery with a blemish), they are cheaper. Never had a problem with the blems.

Don W

oldcutlass

X2, the Everstart line last a long time in my cars.

Fun71

Costco stopped carrying Optimas several years ago due to too a high failure rate and excessive returns and they switched to Interstate batteries. I still have a couple Optimas from before their quality went bad (one in the Cutlass from 2006) but I went through two in the Jeep within a few year span before giving up and switching to a Costco Interstate battery.

1970cs

I just replaced a near 20 year old one from AutoZone. 7 year pro rated. They don't have that long of a warranty now. I went with Interstate pro series group 24 30 month free replacement. Happy so far. I also replaced the original in my Alero that Delco went 16.5 years and I went with Menards Delco unit. 36 month free replacement. Both were around $100 but I work for an interstate dealer.

Pat

droldsmorland

The batt in my 442 just died with zero warning. Thankfully I was IN my buds service garage getting it inspected. I mean dead, no lights no solenoid noise. Jump pack showed 7 volts. Sears Gold Diehard...not. 7 years old. That is above average life even with my Battery Butler on it 24/7. Funny thing is it started right up before my road trip. I always let it crank until I see oil pressure. This is the second battery in my fleet to fall off a cliff... zero indication of pending failure.

Did some research before I bought a new one as Sears no longer exists here.
Wally Worlts Ever Starts are made by Johnson Controls. Good batteries. In fact many vendors carry them with their stickers on them. Wally is cheaper every time.

AGM Glass mat batteries are good but pricy. IMO Flooded Lead Acid are about the same as AGMs at 1/2 the cost. AGM is good in high vibration applications. Off-road, 1/4 mile track racing, AG equipment etc...

I have an Interstate dealer here right next to Wally. I went with them for the convenience of drive-up and several options for CCAs. Wally you have to drop off the core at the service desk(which there's always a line) then walk to the back of the store. Worth extra $20 bucks to me to avoid the wall-martins.

Interstate sells blems at half price. $40-50-60. They also offered a few choices of CCA ratings. I went with a new non-blem 900CCA. $120 out the door.

Interstate said Group 34 is the right battery for this car.

Check out the youtube battery comparison test.


Battery Butler Link

https://www.lectriclimited.com/battery-butler-products/

Olds64

That's good to know that I wasn't the only one with a problem.

I seem to recall buying the Optima from Summit vs. Amazon. I know there are sometimes shady deals on Amazon. I thought I would be safe ordering from Summit. Oh well.

My442

Regardless of the battery you choose, check the date code on it.

Be sure you get a fresh one.

droldsmorland

Good point! Just like tires.

Fun71

At one time the Optimas were THE battery the offroad / 4WD community here in AZ and elsewhere used extensively as they were very durable and dependable. Then after the manufacturing plant location was changed, the quality went downhill with reports of a lot of premature failures.

Ozzie

This Gould/Exide lasted 10.5 years in my F-250.