Optima Batery Install

I had the same issue last month when my battery died from some nonsense I got into. Anyways turns out the lip that bites the battery was backwards simulating what you are describing. I took it off turn it around and tada. Previous owner never had it installed properly.

 

Was the lip on the front of the battery tray modified (squeezed downward) at some time?
Is the lip on the optima the same size front and back? If not spin it around. this is what I did with my optima years ago and then I modified the clamp on the side facing me. I also had to use a small block of wood to stop the battery from sliding around side to side. All in all there is no advantage to using an optima. Mine lasted the very same amount of time as any other battery half the price. I am now using an interstate which is probably the best battery Ive ever had in there.

 

Nice diagram. If I remember correctly, optima doesn't really make a proper fit for the Ferrari 355. the optima I had, had different size lips on the front and back. I wouldn't bent the front of the tray but maybe try and cut the lip of the battery on the front side down to size. I doubt that would compromise the batter. Use a small grinder with a cutting blade. I know this sounds crude but it may just work. You may have to clamp on some sort of guide for line and then you would have to judge the depth. Bending the tray will only make it that much harder to fit the proper batter in there some day plus the tray would start rusting.

 

Have an Optima in my 355 spider. Fit was not an issue as I recall when I installed.

 

I have also had to modify this battery on different cars in the past. No big deal to trim a little off.

 

You are missing a piece that should have come with the Optima battery. They place the mounting parts under the cover on the top of a new Optima.

I just had an Optima die @ 6 months on my 1998 355 F1 GTS. It must have a bad cell as it is reading 0.00 volts. Time to get the jack out again.

This is my third Optima I have had in my car. The first two lasted six years.

When Optima moved manufacture to China quality control went to *****.

 

They only fit properly in MA when it's 5 degrees outside and 6" of snow on the ground...lol

 

Funny Bruce! Sad but true! Funny!

 

If you do find a way to install the Optima red top, the next task would be to remove it!

 

Mine slid right in. Sorry you ended up with a project.

 

Just bumping this up as I received my Optima battery today and don't want to stay with a wheel off for a while when this should be plug-play.
Here is a side profile of the battery, have you guys been able to use the battery as-is or have had to make modifications?
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I just have to say good luck with the optima red top, I’ll never buy one again. I outfitted 4 cars with them at the same time and replaced 2 within a year with red tops again. All 6 failed in less than 2 years, they are absolutely garbage batteries. Especially in cars that are notorious for having continuous draw on the battery. If you let them drop their charge to much they will never take a charge again. The last one was in my 348 and I tried to recharge it with a slow trickle charge. It just bubbled acid gel out the top. Ridiculous waist of money ever since they changed their manufacturing to Mexico.

 

That's reassuring lol
I guess I'll have to find out myself regarding the reliability at this point.
Did it bolt right up, though?
Also, when you wouldn't drive the car, would you turn the kill switch knob to cut power from the battery? If I don't drive for a few days I cut the juice. I also have no stereo or alarm on the car so hopefully that reduces draw.

 

Yep, the Red Top is a leaky piece of crap. I've switched to Interstate's AGM battery now.
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Well, the battery was bought so I guess I'll have to find out the hard way.
For the sake of the thread, I'd like to report that it was easy to install without any extra clips needed or unforeseen issues.
I'll also report back if it takes a dump on me. For the record, I have no alarm, no stereo and I turn the kill switch when I don't use the car for more than a few days.

 

I only buy Costco interstate batteries now but still have 2 Optima from 2011 perfectly in service. Newer optimas all failed so stopped using them.

 

My battery kicked the bucket. They had a AGM insterstate H6, which is a group 48 i believe. lasted 10 years.
The slot with take any standard 6 7/8" wide battery with posts.
I debated a light weight lithium, but decided on a Deka AGM 9a47. Its 39lbs. 3lbs lighter than a 34r, and 12lbs lighter than the H6 i took out.
$129 shipped