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Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 28 2003, 07:45 PM

The old hold down clamp and the other side doesn't grab and hold down the battery nice and tight.
Sure, I can figure it out, but someone may have done it a better way. I've already thought about sticking a piece of plywood under it, thanks, but no thanks.

So, what was your solution?

My + side just reaches with a bit of slack, enough I think, - no problem.

Spendy, I got a red top at Costco with tax $184 Canadian bucks, the yellow top and the blue were 209 and 229 bucks + tax.
It does have both top and side posts, but turned around you can't see the side posts and it clears the rain tray.

I might just have to slap the ol' insurance on her tomorrow. We're into nicer weather finally.

Posted by: autoxadict Apr 28 2003, 08:05 PM

I happened to pick one of those up from Costco also. $90. But be careful, I had one in my BMW 635 and the alternator killed it. On the problem with it fitting, mine didn't have a problem, but the car isn't here right now so I can't tell you how I worked it. I just know it works without any mods. Good luck with it and if you don't solve it I'll get back to you on what I did with mine, as soon as I see it again.

Posted by: anthony Apr 28 2003, 08:10 PM

My Optima came with these black plastic tabs that snap on to the base. The tabs made it fit properly with the stock battery tray/clamp.

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 28 2003, 08:46 PM

This one had a cover that protected the top posts for shipping. It says you can put it on the bottom and it would fit the clamps proper but one it raises the battery another 3/4". The battery cables get a bit short then, plus then the battery is held on by little plastic clips.

Maybe a sheet of plastic under it or some kind of block/spacer or the ol'

I didn't look at it too long, to beat, hard long day at the ol' grind today.

Posted by: anthony Apr 28 2003, 08:49 PM

I had to install a longer ground strap because I bought the red-top Optima but the orange-top one would have fit without a problem.

Posted by: nine14cats Apr 29 2003, 12:07 AM

Here's how I mounted my Optima...I used a piece of aluminum and bolted it into the inner wall and the floor of the tray. It doesn't go anywhere on the auto-x or big tracks.....


Attached image(s)

Posted by: GWN7 Apr 29 2003, 02:11 AM

Will have to check Costco....Parts Source has Optimas in their flyer this week $239 + taxes (On Sale)

Posted by: Brad Roberts Apr 29 2003, 02:22 AM

Bill is running his Optima exactly how I run mine (except I remove the plastic carry handle) It doesnt leak acid.. so I'm not afraid to carry it without a strap.

Bill flipped the battery around making the terminals line up with the factory cables. Works great.


B

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 29 2003, 07:09 AM

Part Sources' price on the Optima was outrageous. It was $200 Can bucks during the winter, then they cranked the price way up then put it "on sale".
Thanks but :finger2:

Their motto should be, "Were just like Crappy tire only crappier".

Higher prices and no Canadian Tire money for the same parts and service. I wonder how long they will throw money at their Part Source chain stores experiment before they pack it in.

Costco was way cheaper and the funny thing is I don't usually find Costco's prices that great, so Part Source is totally gouging customers.

Posted by: GWN7 Apr 29 2003, 12:48 PM

Mark,

Parts Source was set up by the owners of Canadian Tire stores to close the hole in that segment of the market which Pep Boys/ect has taken in the USA. To keep them out of the market place here. It allows the CTC stores to concentrate on their core sku's without having to hire staff which actually knows anything about cars or parts. The Parts Source guys actually know a thing or two about cars (except P cars) and they car order/source stuff for you from all over.

Bought a starter from them in Calgary, went to put it in here, turns out it's for a automatic 914. They had 33 of these starters in their system. Only 26 more than cars were built.

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 29 2003, 06:42 PM

Most likly it fits other VW's

The 914 starter is the exact same starter as the VW beetle semi-automatic trans starter.

Before I bought our 914, I thought I'd never get rid of this thing I have had sitting on my shelf for years.
Now that I have a teen, it's nice to know that 'thing' is a NOS 914 starter sitting there on the shelf.

VW was famous for using anything and everything they already had in stock!

Posted by: GWN7 Apr 29 2003, 11:09 PM

It might fit other VW's, but what was wrong was their system had the standard starter listed as the one for the automatic and the automatic one listed as for a standard. I took the starter out of the car to show them it was the wrong part and he looked up the part # in the system. Programing error

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 30 2003, 05:11 AM

Back on topic

I fixed my problem with a Honda part! (rice-rice baby) LOL

My brother-in-law has a scraper in my back 40 (that he is taking to the wreckers, soon I hope) I ripped out a chunk of wind lace/door seal, U channel type stuff. I cut and slipped piece over the bolt down clamp, then I cut a longer piece for the hold down on the tray, now it fits nice and tight.

The added bonus is with the metal edges covered I know that the edges will not cut into my pricey new Optima.

Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 30 2003, 06:39 AM

i got mine yesterday. 99 plus sam's cut. sorry about the loony value. rear calipers were shot. "ah honey, i spent some money today". i'm not going to fight anything when i put the 73' together. f rotors to turn today. will prob just spring for cals too. i'm not tearing this thing apart and putting it together 3 times.

kevin

Posted by: Bleyseng Apr 30 2003, 08:35 AM

Got a set of good front calipers if you want them Kevin. I still might have a set of low mileage slotted discs too.
Geoff

Posted by: Anton Apr 30 2003, 09:26 AM

Don't understand all the hassle about a non-fitting, expensive battery. Why buy it in the first place?

Alternatively: Varta (OEM) has a completely leak proof battery, the Silver Dynamic B14 (45AH), also with a handle for quick removal, and 30% more output under cold starting conditions than a standard battery. Fits like a glove on the tray. Mine works fine for 3 years in a row now (and it can be cold in The Netherlands). Costed 130 euro.

Posted by: Jeroen Apr 30 2003, 09:33 AM

Hey Anton,

The Optima is a sealed battery. You can even mount it upside down if you want, and it won't leak acid

cheers,

Jeroen

Posted by: Anton Apr 30 2003, 09:42 AM

Correction: 130 Dutch Guilders, which is equivalent to 60 Euro or roughly 55 USD.

Jeroen, same is true for the Varta battery! It also doesn't boil over, etc., but is lots cheaper than the Optima!

Anton

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 30 2003, 10:18 AM

Doesn't boil over OR is it sealed? Can you mount it upside down?

The whole point is to stop acid and/or acid vapor from escaping and slowly eating away at the 914.

I can get a cheap battery for the 914 for $50 Canadian or about $35USD, they don't boil over but they do vent to the atmosphere.

Posted by: anthony Apr 30 2003, 10:38 AM

The Optima fits fine. It comes with tabs to adapt it to different battery trays.

Posted by: Anton Apr 30 2003, 11:06 AM

It was sold to me as a sealed battery (filled with gel instead of fluid) which you can keep upside down without leakage. The point of beinge able to mount it upside down somewhat eludes me since a 914 is neither a space shuttle nor a submarine. When you want to know further details about the battery go to http://www.varta-automotive.com/eng/index2.php?p=2&s=2&content=produkte/starterbatterien/personenkraftwagen.html. About acid vapor, I really don't know, it is for the first time I hear that that would pose a problem.

My battery tray and support were eaten away by leaking acid from a boiling battery probably caused by a faulty mechanical voltage regulator (no vapour damage here). The battery tray area was sandblasted, new parts were welded in, and it was sprayed. Subsequently, I have installed the Varta silver dynamic battery and an electronic voltage regulator (911 type). No problems since and the battery tray area still looks "as new".

This is my personal experience, I don't see the need for an expensive "upside-down" battery. Unless of course you want to argue that an Optima in the first place would have prevented these problems?

Posted by: anthony Apr 30 2003, 11:48 AM

I don't see any mention of it being a sealed battery on Varta's web site. If it is then that is what you want. We buy Optimas and Orbitals in the US because that is what is commonly available. We all wish there was a cheaper alternative.

Posted by: Anton Apr 30 2003, 12:32 PM

Anthony,

I understand your point. I don't want to degrade the Optima, I only think that there are good alternatives.

Still, it could be worth while to inquire about availability and prices of the Varta Silver Dynamic B14 battery in the US.

Anton