What's the best battery for cranking our big blocks? I paid alot of money in 2018 for an optima red top and now its acting up. I guess letting the car sit in storage for months without starting is not good for it. Are they that much better than the traditional ones? Thanks
Sam's Club Duracell brand flat top (for fake topper). Been going strong for 5years. I also gave up on brand batteries. For ease of warranty and access i started simply buying from wally world and had good luck as well.
There are pretty much only two manufacturers of lead-acid batteries - Johnson Controls and Exide. I just recommend a "Gold" or "platinum" type of either. I don't see the need for AGM batteries in classic cars. AFAIK AGM batteries like a different charging strategy, although if you are using a stock (i.e. 40-ish amp) alternator then you might be fine (just a lighter wallet). -Bob C.
I was a bit worried about the needed CCA, but ended up with an Exide at around 500CCA by a recommendation at the parts store. Starter spins the engine like a whirlwind, even at temperatures a few degrees below freezing. Would not need more CCA for my needs.
This is an interesting video that a buddy and fellow V8boarder (BigBufford) sent me recently, several months after I purchased my battery. I have a Diehard Platinum (flat top) 34-AGM for my BBB, 740 CC. I’ve not had it quite a year but I’m happy with it. I also keep mine on a trickle charge and have one of those ground disconnect terminals in case I have a voltage drain. https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:69011347,vid:h7rTcBanpMk
I know a little about batteries, and I'm not going into details. But I know I have work very hard to eliminate any more acid problems ie: rust in the right side of our cars. So I stay clear of wet batteries. Duracell's are made by Deka a Pennsylvania company, I've gotten 10 years out of the ones on my diesel truck and working on 6 and 7 years on some others on my GS's. So for me, it is AGM all the way if possible. As per the red top and yellow top Optimas, eversince they went to Mexico they are no better than any other. You just pay for the name! Fernando
You CAN buy a larger (CCA wise) than stock, but regardless if it’s a big block or a small block our engines don’t require HUGE electrical storage as the new vehicles do with their computers, electric fans, fuel pumps, power everything, heated seats, heated steering wheels. We basically have the starter and ignition.
I just buy the $59 Walmart batteries even for race car. Last one lasted 7 years.... The red Optima I spent $$$ on died a sudden death in the staging lanes....cost me a race.
It's my understanding the AGM has better holding ability,...ie sitting under,..had on in my brothers car never saw a charging cycle from driving,..was still fully charged after 2yrs of just sitting,..that sold me
I've had good luck with Rural King's Exide battery. https://www.ruralking.com/catalog/product/view/id/37702 Troy
I bought a Costco Battery (Interstate) last April. I bought a Group 34 battery. It had 1000 CA. It was 92.99. I bought the Group 34 battery because it was more powerful, and just a bit smaller, cheaper too. This is the Group 24 battery for a 1970 GS455. Here is the Group 34 battery,
I buy the Costco Interstate Marine Deep Cycle battery. Boats don't get started every day, neither do our old cars.
Walmart for me also. I believe three of my Buick’s right now have a marine battery in them from Walmart that was only $59. The one in the picture below was bought because they didn’t have any marine batteries for sale at this particular store. They always seem to last five years, and I don’t have any problems with them even after sitting for months. A funny story, I had a 1999 Chevy conversion van. Whenever the battery wouldn’t start the van I would put it in one of my Buick’s. They would still last for years. I think that computer kicking on along with the headlights first thing doesn’t give it the ability to crank the engine when it gets weak.
