Time to Clean the Battery Tray:

Every two years, I remove my battery tray and inspect for damage.
You would be surprised what may be hiding underneath.
Your goal is to Protect the Radiator Core support. The battery tray is cheap to replace.
The Core support is $300+ and more for labor.

Its cheap insurance to remove the tray every two year and cleanup as required.
If an undetected battery leak occurs, the radiator core could be severely damaged by acid and rust.

Looks like I just need minimal cleaning and maybe some paint.

 

Good idea to inspect regularly. I started using a battery tray protector mat many years ago as a prevention effort.

 

Kenneth - That's a great idea. I'm learning something new and important about caring for these old cars all the time from this site!

 

I've found those mats are nothing but sponges and promote corrosion over time.

 

I changed to Optima battery a long time ago due to my battery tray getting acidized from a overcharging voltage reg on my 65 Coronet. I have been a believer in gel cel batteries since. No acid- no spillage...

 

Hi Greg, if you're referring to the Optima, it's an AGM. Gel cells have have free liquid gelled with fumed silica. AGMs have no free liquid. Gels have occasional burps but AGMs are as leak-free as we always wished for.
Cheers,
Gary

 

I suppose they need to be changed out regularly to prevent that as well.