90 battery

[jimmers]

this may seem like a really stupied question but how do you take the battery out of a 90 vette? It seems to be in there really well. My battery is really old and needs a change.

 

[Tuna]

You need to remove the fender panel beside the battery to remove the battery. There are a couple of bolts on the top, 2 more on the bottom (they do not need to be removed, just loosened) and a couple more on the front that hold the inner fender to the fender panel.

After you get the fender panel off, you can remove the battery hold down and disconnect the cables.

The fender panel will need to be realigned to the hood, etc., when you put it back on.

 

[jimmers]

thanks...i figured that was how you did it but there is a bolt at the bottom of the fender partially being covered by the lower body. How do you loosen that? Unless i am missing somthing.....

 

[jimmers]

also is there a certain battery or crankin amps i should get? Everyone says get ACDELCO.

 

[WhalePirot]

how do you take the battery out of a 90 vette?

I have taken the angular brace off, as an alternative.

also is there a certain battery or crankin amps i should get? Everyone says get ACDELCO.

I had good luck with those, but whatever you do, stay away from the redtop Optimas. I replaced the second bad one with an Interstate, which the electrical guys like...a lot. I cannot recall and cannot check, right now, the CCA rating.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

stay away from the redtop Optimas.

That's all I run. The one in the truck is 4 yrs old and the one in the Vette is 2. I leave them sitting for months on end and they both start right up every time I get back.

 

[wilezcoyote]

Take the fender off and check for corrosion!

The first time I changed the battery I took the fender off. There was extensive surface corrosion to the frame rail under the battery tray and to some of the wiring connections behind the tray. I replaced a terminal block and several connectors and pretty much all of the mounting fastners. I masked off the frame rail then sandblasted, primed and repainted it. All of the new nuts, bolts, etc... were painted and then coated with some red greaselike corrosion inhibiting spray made for battery terminals. You can get it at any parts store and a tiny little bit goes a long long way.

It was fun getting the correct hardware (bolts & assorted fastners) from the Chevrolet dealership. I had to get the parts counter guy to get the part numbers by looking up a 96 vette in his computer. The drawing for the 90 model is the same as the 96 but a lot of the 1990 drawings parts have no part #'s or are "discontinued". The 96 parts are the exact same as the 90 models.

I've done it both ways and I have to say that taking the frame brace out is much easier than taking the fender off. The only thing is you need to be very careful about moving the computer and the cruise control "module". It was also a lot of fun getting the tapered bolt that hold the battery holddown threaded into the weird nut/wiring holddown under the battery tray.

If you get an Optima you'll need to notch the webbing on the frame brace with a dremel tool or a die grinder. Otherwise when the battery shifts slightly the post will short against the frame and fry the battery. I learned the hard way. Since then I've been very happy with the Optima.

 

[Dons97]

whatever you do, stay away from the redtop Optimas. I replaced the second bad one with an Interstate, which the electrical guys like...a lot. I cannot recall and cannot check, right now, the CCA rating.

Don't agree with that one at all. Optima is THE BEST battery I've ever had. Long shelf life, great cranking power, no leaks guaranteed for life of battery.

Go get one.

D97

 

[WhalePirot]

Don't agree with that one at all. Optima is THE BEST battery I've ever had.

I've had three, in two vehicles...all crap! And relatively quickly. Then, just try to get an adjustment on one, under warranty, if you bought it mail order. Their corporate clowns in Dener never even mailed my rebates; and were never available. The long-time-in-biz local electrical shop says that many specialty shops are not selling the RedTops, due to numerous, recent problems. Who needs any of it?

I am glad you guys have good luck, but they're out of the running for me. I haven't had so many electrical problems since I used Sears batteries, 25 years ago; lately, all due to the Optimas.

 

[drags1998]

Nothing but a 6yr. AC Delco in mine and Never a problem, been sitting since Nov. and only started 1 time all winter, went out today and it fired right up!!!!!

 

[G Winter]

Delco only. Long life, the post don't leak, lots of cranking power. Good warrenty. What else could you need .

 

[Tuna]

The last time I went looking for an ACDelco battery, I ended up with a Delphi battery. Same battery, same people. I think ACDelco and Delphi are one in the same. So far, so good.

As for loosening the lower bolts, I use a 'thin' open end wrench between the fender panel and the lower body molding.