Non-Factory Original Batteries

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   Hi, I'm a first time classic car owner and have a 1965 Rambler American 440.
I am wondering what battery style to look for as a replacement for the current battery I have, which is too large for the car. It doesn't have to be a factory original. 

Thanks!

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Jezebel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Dec/03/2021 Location: Toronto Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jezebel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Non-Factory Original Batteries Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 10:01am
	Hi, I'm a first time classic car owner and have a 1965 Rambler American 440. I am wondering what battery style to look for as a replacement for the current battery I have, which is too large for the car. It doesn't have to be a factory original. Thanks!

ramblinrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Dec/28/2008 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 11539	Post Options Post Reply Quote ramblinrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 10:36am
	Group size 24 would be the right size, though there are several close substitutes. Double check which side the positive post is on. (A 24F revereses the positive and negative posts.)
	74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977) 62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384 70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981)

Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6884	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 10:46am
	Found these the other day if your looking for restoration ... expensive!, but gives an idea of what to look for if your trying to get close also. https://www.batterycentralmall.com/Batteries/TurboStart/Rambler.html

mramc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/12/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3220	Post Options Post Reply Quote mramc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 12:29pm
	OK, up date on my former comments see : https://theamcforum.com/forum/factory-original-batteries_topic25196.html . Antique Auto Battery was sold in 2018 and seem to be Ok for a couple years. Then I heard remours about this , so this not fully confirmed , they started using optima type AGM motorcycle batteries in the older factory style battery cases. The bad reviews started in 2021 on these. Also When the AAB was sold they changed the name to Jim's Battery manufacturing company. There is no web site for Jim's Battery that I can find. You can find on the web search a phone number and contact information for Jim's Battery. No idea on battery central mall batteries . But correct battery for 1965 is the GM Tar Top style battery that listed on Central Mall web site. No, idea on there quality . BUT Caveat an AMG style battery requires a different type battery charger then conventional lead acid batteries do . You need a CTECK type charger , recommended by Jan Leno , when I met him. And Jay got a lot of batteries he needs charged for big dog car collection. LRDaum
	LRDaum

ramblinrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Dec/28/2008 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 11539	Post Options Post Reply Quote ramblinrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 12:57pm
	I think he's just looking for a basic battery that fits.
	74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977) 62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384 70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981)

mramc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/12/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3220	Post Options Post Reply Quote mramc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 4:19pm
	Yes, the standard lead acid type batteries used by AMC were a standard group 24 battery. Good luck with that, most batteries are made in Mexico now , quality will vary. LRDaum
	LRDaum

FSJunkie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742	Post Options Post Reply Quote FSJunkie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Dec/31/2021 at 2:13am
	Hello, this is the automotive aftermarket speaking. There are only three manufacturers of aftermarket automotive batteries. Johnson Controls (made in Mexico), East Penn (made in Pennsylvania), and Exide (made in Kansas). Each of those manufacturers makes batteries in several different quality and performance levels and sells them to dozens of companies that slap their label on it and package it with their own warranty. All three manufacturers build a good product. You should shop for a battery based on where it's made, and the warranty it carries. Some companies have a free replacement warranty that last for a year, two, or maybe three. That's great if the battery dies within that period, but you are SOL if it lasts longer than three years...and most batteries do. I prefer a pro-rated warranty that lasts out to five, six, or seven years because that covers when most batteries tend to fail. At least then you get some money towards a new one. I like AGM batteries because they leak, vent, and corrode far less than conventional flooded batteres. That's good news for your precious 50-year-old battery tray, hold-down hardware, and cables. It's not just Optima in the AGM game now. NAPA carries some very nice flat plate AGM batteries that externally look the same as a conventional flooded battery in group sizes 34 and 24F (sadly no 24). They are made by East Penn with a 18 month free replacement warranty, and a seven-year pro-rated warranty on top of that.
	1955 Packard 1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited

Jezebel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Dec/03/2021 Location: Toronto Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jezebel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/10/2022 at 12:49pm
	Thanks so much for all your help with this. Yes am looking for just a replacement not a replica. The AGM batteries sound like the best bang for my buck. We have lots of NAPA's up here in Canada. I'm in Ontario and they are a reliable dealer.

Steve_P Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/28/2007 Status: Offline Points: 3806	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve_P Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/10/2022 at 3:00pm
	Dunno, I consider 5 years acceptable life, and if it fails after that then no problem. I have had batteries that have lasted 7-8 years, but that's not the norm. The last "gold" level lead acid battery that I bought a few months ago was ~$195. Ouch

scott Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/10/2007 Location: Wildwood Pa. Status: Online Points: 3501	Post Options Post Reply Quote scott Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/10/2022 at 4:28pm
	Late this summer, 2021, the battery in my Rebel gave up. I pulled the battery, took off my Amark topper, & saw that I put the date on the battery when I installed it. Too bad when I went to replace it, Advance Auto doesn't have their store brand economy batteries any longer. Edited by scott - Jan/11/2022 at 6:21am
	"Prolly" is not a word.