Gutting Original Y55

[68camaroz28]

I added this information to my build thread on Team Camaro but thought I'd list it here for future use and if anyone has any good suggestions for battery to stuff inside the Y55 case.
The what was NOS Y55 battery I had added juice and charged in the spring of 2016 gave out on me when I tried to start the car to load this past MCACN. Geez, only 2 plus years, maybe I should have gutted it to begin with.  Luckily I had another Y55 but a later version that only has “DELCO” script and not the more correct “DELCO ENERGIZER” wording to install for the MCACN show. I did make several checks on that battery but it would not hold a charge so knew what the next step was. Was not looking forward but it was time to work to gut the battery so another smaller one could be placed in the gutted housing. There have been articles written about this that were given to me from a NCRS friend and a friend had gutted his original Y77 (Skip’s orange Z/28) so I had some information but one still gets a little goosey when you start to drill, cut, and remove the batteries guts. If you ever do this be patient and plan on spending several hours.

First thing other than safety items like glasses and rubber gloves was to wear old clothes knowing removing the battery acid might cause havoc. After removal of the battery acid I used baking soda to neutralize the acid removed and also mixed baking soda in warm water to pour in the cells which I did 4 different times working to neutralize the inside of the battery.

Took some 1X3 lumber pieces and make a simple frame to support the battery top posts while I have it upside down doing surgery and taped off both battery and frame to protect battery surface.


Placed some wire ties around circumference and made as tight as possible for support. Tools used were drill, Dremel with cutting blade, and assortment of hand tools. Marked one inch in and drilled corner holes and then the Dremel cutting blade to start the surgery.

What you see when you remove the cut out bottom and now the long process of removing all this junk.


After several hours its finally cleaned out and now to find what battery I’m going to use knowing some more clean out of internal ribbing will be needed, but the worse is over. Any suggestions on battery to use? The NCRS guys have used Miata batteries! More info forthcoming as we finish this part of the project.

[dannystarr]

 Chick,
   That battery looks familiar     Remember we talked about this a while back. I did some research and this is what I sent ya. Here it is again. 

This is what a member uses in his Y-55 rebuilds he did for all of Jerry M's cars and many others. So who knows. Got some good and pretty bad reviews.

He was going to go into business doing this years ago, and then they got info from a lawyer stating to many liabilities with some of these batteries exploding!

Looks like about 3-1/4 Stars. Be nice if it was 4-1/4. Nice that it can sit at ANY angle with no acid loss. But doesn't apply to us.
https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-PC925-Automotive-LTV-Battery/dp/B0002ILK72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547257278&sr=8-1&keywords=Odyssey+PC925
 Pricey!!
 
Nice that this battery is all ready to go with female threads taped. The miata battery has a top post that will take up room, and will need to be drilled and taped.

Almost the same prices. https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/duralast-gold-battery/350085_631116_25697
 
And another one actually made by Odyssey.  https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/odyssey-battery/411448_232641_0                                     
                                             
  Danny

[68camaroz28]

Still have the info Danny but sort of ruled that out for a couple reasons. Looking at several alternatives but size seems to be most critical and believe it or its the height as the Y55 is short in that feature. Several batteries are in the 6 7/8" to 7 1/2" height and will not work. Was checking a Miata forum and some of those guys are running a Wallmart garden tractor battery. Have found some of the Harley replacement batteries have 500 to 600 CCA, and nice threaded blocks for side or top screw mounting. Still checking!

[69Z28-RS]

So what is your maximum dimensions for your battery??  and do you have any possibilities other than motorcycle or tractor batteries??

PS.  I'm looking for a smaller battery to use in my '57 Nomad where my space is limited (where I want to locate it)...

[68camaroz28]

So what is your maximum dimensions for your battery??  and do you have any possibilities other than motorcycle or tractor batteries??

PS.  I'm looking for a smaller battery to use in my '57 Nomad where my space is limited (where I want to locate it)...

What you see in the picture Gary is approximately a 5"X7" opening which can be opened more as there is at least another inch that could be taken but the height of the y55 is only 7" so stuffing something inside along with connecting the terminals needs to checked carefully. I'm still checking and will communicate what we might come up with.

[dannystarr]

Sounds good.. I was wondering if a motorcycle battery had the balls to pull it off. Excited to see what ya come up with, as I have a Y-55 energizer script battery that will need the same job. Danny

[KurtS]

Chick,
What is the max size of the bottom opening? Would be good for future cutters to know.

[Kelley W King]

In reference to the exploding batterys, all acid batterys emid explosive gas when charging. When in a confined space a spark will cause them to go boom. We have problems with generators with built in trickle chargers that explode when the automatic start kicks in. I could see one in a case doing that.

[Sauron327]

The car is not here now. I worked on a '67 and the battery was not much larger than a bike battery, but made for a car.

[68camaroz28]

In reference to the exploding batterys, all acid batterys emid explosive gas when charging. When in a confined space a spark will cause them to go boom. We have problems with generators with built in trickle chargers that explode when the automatic start kicks in. I could see one in a case doing that.

Never planned to use a acid battery in this instance but good info for all to know.

[68camaroz28]

Chick,
What is the max size of the bottom opening? Would be good for future cutters to know.

Kurt, the battery outside dimensions are 6 9/16" X 8 11/16" with roughly a 1/4" wall thickness. I would estimate with keeping some of the bottom intact wider than the walls thickness for strength an opening of 5 1/2" X 6 7/8. Cable attachment to the top post compared to Skip's Y77 side post might be more difficult but we will see and will follow this thru to completion.
Gary asked "So what is your maximum dimensions for your battery??  and do you have any possibilities other than motorcycle or tractor batteries??"
After a lot of reviewing the Miata batteries IMO have too much height and most have limited CCA. Skip in his Y77 and another friends Y77 used MX30L Cycle battery that has a huge 600 CCA and size is 5 3/16 wide X 6 5/8 long X 6 7/8" height.
What I have purchased last evening is the next level down MX20L which has 500 CCA but the size is a better 3 7/16" wide X 6 7/8" long X 6 1/8 height. Note what I liked was the more narrower battery for attaching to the top post (cable room), and 3/4" less height, again due to the top post.
Example of the MX20L- https://www.ebay.com/itm/ThrottleX-Batteries-MX20L-500-CCA-Replacement-Power-Sport-Battery/132566019895?hash=item1edd8cef37:g:ZFAAAOSw0TpcmwQA

[ZLP955]

I recall an NCRS article about this process. It was probably close to 10 years ago, so as battery technology evolves quickly, whatever was available then to go inside is likely irrelevant today. But I think it was a gel battery, possibly Odyssey or Braille brand.

[BillG]

This might be frowned upon but, I'm just thinking out loud.  What if a repro battery tray was used, and the bottom cut out to make more height for what ever battery is found to fit inside?

[KurtS]

I was thinking the same thing, but it would involve some work to add the support in the tray at the lower height.

And it for those that haven't seen this, here is a R59 being updated. Note that he cut the top off instead of the bottom. Most people say they cut the bottom. https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148133

[TODD]

It would be nice to fit one of the new Lithium Batteries pretty pricey, but they do last.
Like the Lithium Products C680 at Summit;https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lpp-c680
Length (in): 7.170 in. Width (in):3.030 in.Height (in):6.610 in.

Todd