Repro Delco R-59 Battery - Best Place to Buy??

[RobF]

My repro Delco battery finally died after 8 years (I never thought it would last that long!).  I called NPD, where I purchased the last one and they do not carry them anymore because of too many issues. 

Can anyone recommend a place to buy them now (any vendors in Michigan??)??  Are there different companies making them?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Jerry@CHP]

Only one vendor is making these batteries now and they are hell to deal with.  They are also very expensive, based in OH.  We have a thread on this site about this vendor.

Jerry

[lakeholme]

In other words, when NPD (just got their new catalog) and others put "CALL" in the place of price, it means we may have a problem.  That's generally been my experience.  JohnZ is suggesting the present Delco battery as a substitute.  Does it look like an R-59 or is it "flat-topped" like most other present day batteries?  Also, would a topper fit almost any present day battery?

[JohnZ]

The current Delco model #24-7YR replacement accepts the "topper" that makes it look like an R-59; I wouldn't waste my money on any of the "reproduction" batteries.

[Pacecarjeff]

The exid battery sold at Walmart is a flat top also. 
The toppers work well for the camaro.
My A/C corvette is another story- battery faces sideways.

I am in the middle of figuring out how I can use an old repro case.
to hide a late model battery inside.

So far not having much luck, but I will not buy another one of the reproduction batterys - they don't last.

I need a solution before Feb. 24th.

[camaronut]

After a third time, I successfully "hollowed-out" an old R59 battery that one of my friends gave me, thinking that I could put another battery inside it.....

Well, the story is...nothing will fit inside except a small dry cell battery made from Odyssey battery.  Alot of racers use them beacause of weight.

The only problem is the low cold cranking amperage of these units (~250-300 CCA).

I've chosen which battery to get...just got to order it.  I know batteries in the sixties were around this range, hopefully it will work, but I doubt it.  Starting a cold engine takes alot of sustained power.

I'm going to use cables internally hooked-up to the original battery terminals and hook them up to the smaller battery.

I'll post my results.

The battery topper is not the way I want to go....I've seen them, and I'm not impressed.  If you compare the size of a "topper" vs. an original R59, the topper is slightly larger because it needs to fit the new Delco maintenance-free battery.

[lakeholme]

I'm interested in what you guys work out... 
It only stands to reason that a present day battery will not fit inside the repo. case, as they have similar dimensions.  What we need is a way to get a good battery's "guts" in a repo case (or original). 
At this point I'm still swayed by John's idea above --especially for a driver. 
But I've got till April to decide.  Let us know what you decide!

[sam]

Why does it seem so hard/expensive for somebody to make a good reliable repro battery that looks correct and lasts. With all the high dollar restos and supply houses out there you would think this would be a no brainer in todays world.

[Pacecarjeff]

It used to be very easy.
New Castle Battery Company- made a reliable repro battery for around $100-$150.
Aparently they should have been selling it for more, because they went out of business.

They were very nice to buy from, and pro-rated the batterys for replacement when they failed.
And they frequently did just that. but you got a few years anywaysfrom each one.

They are gone, and now Restoration battery co. is selling them for $250+

At the last show I saw that they are taking one of those smaller Honda optimium batterys,
and putting those inside a prefab case, withl a small cable system inside.

Easy enough - I thought- Last I heard  -- Optimim was having problems with that smaller battery,
and they were being recalled, and backordered. I couldn't get one of the "High Crankers" anywhere.

That was a bunch of months back, and I have not looked any further. I really just forgot about it all.

Will start after after this again pretty soon. 
My battery is gutted and ready for whatever I can find to go in.
Important to have 500 CCA's or you will have starting problems

[Jerry@CHP]

How about installing one of the Oddessy racing gel batteries in the Delco case?  They are small and 950 CCA's.  I'm sure that's what our Battery buddies in OH are doing.  They're new Delco repro batteries sound like a hollow drum when you tap on the top.

New Castle was the best!  It's a shame they're gone!

Jerry

[Jerry@CHP]

Hey Mike.........Cheapy,

I have an old Oddessy battery if you want to come up to the shop and see if you can fit one of them in the case,

Jerry

[Pacecarjeff]

I would be interested to hear which one would fit.
Some of those racing batterys are getting pretty close to $200.

At that point - just buy the repro.
The new cases Resto Bat is using now are different - there is more room inside.
Also they have a unique terminal/ cable system.

when you gut an old one you have all the lead plate mounts, and posts to deal with.
Also the walls are much thicker. (because it was a real battery)
Maybe it would be bettter to buy one from them, Then - when that fails.
THEN you can replace the insides of the repro one.

I thought about that too.

[Jerry@CHP]

$140 for the Odessy plus shipping,

Jerry

[MMMM_ERT]

Why does it seem so hard/expensive for somebody to make a good reliable repro battery that looks correct and lasts. With all the high dollar restos and supply houses out there you would think this would be a no brainer in todays world.

It's all about the $$$$$$$...  keeps you buying them.  

For example...I bought the correct color coded hoses to replace my RS vacuum lines when I restored my car.  That kit was expensive....  Within 6 months those pretty color-coded hoses were crumbling and cracked.  Boy was I mad.     I wasn't about to pay that price again for the kit... I went down and bought some standard black vacuum hoses  from the auto-parts store and they are still good 11 years later.

[Pacecarjeff]

Batterys are different.
Even back then they were not dependeble.
The resto guys were using 40 year old technology. (that is what everyone wanted)
Now with the new maintance free style - they really should be better.

but don't quote me on that.