Hi everyone, Battery in the 328 gave its last tonight. Can anyuone confirm that the original battery "as shipped" to US in 1988 was an AC-Delco 24F top-terminal? Realizing there are other/better alternatives available. (I'm an NCRS member in case you hadn't guessed...!) Thanks as always, Carl
Thanks Tom! Group 24 a suitable replacement? Car (was purchased with) has an Interstate currently in place. Carl
Tom, I found a Delco Group 34 locally. If the snow clears will try to install (and construct pictorial) this weekend. Thanks again! Carl
Hi Dave! Changed it in -1 degree F Sunday PM (smile). You're correct, the Interstate that I removed was reverse-terminal, but I don't think the AC-Delco #34 is available in reversed-terminal (at least that's what my local supplier mentioned). Still fit well - see attached picture (I wired in a battery maintainer too, that's the extra wiring) - and with the terminals slightly farther aft there's a bit more clearance between the top of the terminal and underside of the cover plate. How-To article to follow once I have an opportunity to edit. Best, Carl Image Unavailable, Please Login
Optima RedTop Group 34R should fit just fine in there. The Gel-type of batteries are not only leak proof, they are also lighter and more compact.
Decided to save about 15 lbs and replaced my 308 battery (probably the same as 328) with a Hawker (Enersys) Odyssey 680 ($77 from www.PortablePower.com). Cable length was tight, but doable. You also need the Brass SAE terminals ($11) and i decided to house it in the aluminum battery box as an extra caution ($30) and bolt to box to the car as in a race the last thing i want is to depend on only the car's hold down piece. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Anthony, I certainly cannot disagree that the Optima is the best choice, but I wanted something similar to OEM (and thus the Delco). But I fail to see a significant difference in physical dimensions. From http://www.dscr.dla.mil/PRODUCTS/bcicvc/cat1.htm I found the following: Delco 34-6YR (confirmed these myself on pictured battery) Dimensions Metric (LxWxH mm): 260 x 173 x 200 Standard (LxWxH in.): 10 -1/4 x 6 -13/16 x 7 -7/8 Optima 34 (#800 series, couldn't find the "R" but expect would be similar if not identical) Metric (LxWxH mm): 254 x 173 x 198 Standard (LxWxH in.): 10 x 6 -13/16 x 7 -13/16 But having to heave something lighter than that Delco over the fender would be nice! I'll write up the charger installation this weekend. Take care, Carl
I've switched my cars over to the smaller of the two available Mercedes batteries. The advantage is they have large locating tabs on the four sides towards the bottom that work very well with the tangs on my battery boxes. They sell lots of them (since there are so many Mercs out there). My last two interstate batteries didn't last as long as they should have and I've had random failures with Optimas. This is emperical data on ten cars over 15 years. YMMV. Jeff Pintler 89 348tb, 86 TR
