new battery

It was the same for me too Joel. The battery in mine was pretty old and when I replaced it I couldn't believe how much easier the car started.

Keeping Batteries on these cars is a real challenge, I installed a trickle charger/maintainer permanently on mine to eliminate the constant battery change that happened on my previous IM. 

Sometimes when you change something you realize... wow... I should have done that  a long time ago... happened to me with a starter that was slowly dying too... duh.. Ray

I've always thought that a weight saving Optima was the way to go, but you're right Joel; if the you're putting the battery in the spare tire well, this is 1 time when the extra weight is welcome.

I love my super-small and light Odyssey.  It's been in the car for 7 or 8 years and still cranks quickly.

Lane Anderson posted:

I love my super-small and light Odyssey.  It's been in the car for 7 or 8 years and still cranks quickly.

Where do you have it mounted, Lane?

Al, if I knew how to find my photos on the site I would show you my Odyssey installation.

IIRC, Becks have this nifty shelf just ahead of the engine, and that's where they put the battery (at least it was there on the one we built at Carlisle).

Speaking of that build, here's Lane aiming the install of his steering wheel.  It was on there in a flash...

And here is my Odyssey battery (same as Lane's) tucked in the front of the spare tire/battery well in the nose of a CMC.  The white tube running along the top of the battery and around the back of the heater is a Blazecut fire suppressor.  It has a gauge at the left hand end.

Here's an Odyssey compared to the battery I used to have.  that's the hold-down bracket I got from Tom Blankinship:

BTW; the tech at Northeast Batteries, where I bought the Odyssey, recommended that it be on a trickle charger whenever it's not used for over a week at a time.  Easy enough - I added a plug under the dash just for a trickle charger a long time ago.

Found photo.

 

 

Michael McKelvey posted:

Found photo.

 

 

I want that bracket. I have the same battery and the bracket would make it a lot simpler to use.

T

I like that bracket as well; makes for a neat installation!

I no longer see the bracket on the Odyssey website.

This may be a source: http://www.odysseybatteries.com/accessories/hd680.htm 

Thanks. I'm looking online now. Lots of options. Wide price range too.

Gordon's close about the battery location, but it's not on the shelf in front of the engine.  That's where the heater blower is.  I've often thought that it would be a good place to put a built-in tool box.  The battery is on the "floor" of the engine compartment behind the right rear inner fender.  On Becks the engine compartment is full width (except for the inner fenders) making carb access much easier.  Of course you all know where that has gotten me.

That's exactly where mine is now, now that my blower motor is gone



>

You could have any sheet metal guy bend you a bracket.

I install a high CCA lawn tractor battery at 1/2 the price of a full size car battery,  it's securely mounted next to the right tail light on a metal battery tray. Saves money on the long cable expense and you can store a tool bag where the battery was in the front....(The tool bag is more than half the weight of the battery)  Run the ground to the trans and 12V  to the starter solenoid lug and B+ on the alternator. $65 vs $150 plus.

Sounds like something that "Five Cent Racing" would do.......