CORRECT Battery for 1964 409 SS?

[robota]

I have a 64 Impala SS, 409/340 4spd, no air car, needing the correct battery. I know ther are several companies selling the "DC-12" battery.
My question is: Who makes the most realistic/correct one, and is it reliable?

Thanks.

[mac1]

Get yourself an AC Delco group 24 battery and a battery topper. You'll get the benefits of a maintenance free battery with the correct looking top. You can see mine by clicking on my home page link and scrolling down to the bottom.

http://www.batterytoppers.com/main.html

[real61ss]

"Get yourself an AC Delco group 24 battery and a battery topper. You'll get the benefits of a maintenance free battery with the correct looking top. You can see mine by clicking on my home page link and scrolling down to the bottom."


I agree with the above, the repo batteries are junk with a capital J!!!!!! The Battery Toppers are available with yellow or black caps, you'll want to order the black caps for a '64. One thing I would add.....this company also sells something they call the battery post extenders.....stay away from them, they are junk also. If you use the correct battery, you won't need the post extenders. NAPA also makes a battery that is perfect for the toppers, they even have a grove around the top that the toppers sets in.

[Impalaguru]

I agree with Tommy. I've spoke with Carl, the owner of that site. A very nice guy. But I looked at the extenders on one of his 69 Camaros and they just looked like they didn't belong and would easily fail. I plan to buy a topper. What would be the correct color caps on a 63?
Ross

[mac1]

I didn't need the post extenders. There seems to be enough post on the ac delco group 24 to make it work. There is another battery top available. Check it out.
http://www.tartopper.com/

[real61ss]

"What would be the correct color caps on a 63?"

Ross,
It depends on the build date of your car. Delco switched to black caps in Jan. of '63 so if your car was built after Feb. 1st, you should have black caps, before that, yellow.

I know of nothing to back this up but it seems that someone at Chevrolet decided the underhood appearance needed to be toned down. About the same time that they switched to painting the firewalls black, they also did away with the yellow battery caps.

[models916]

No problems so far. I put it in for shows.

http://www.carmansgarage.com/category/vintage.restorationbatteries

[robota]

Thanks to all for the info.