battery location

Tom keedle · 06-05-2010, 05:50 PM

so, according to the rule book (nhra), i need the battery in the "stock" location.
well, on this american i'm building, the stock location for a 6 cyl is on the LH side and a V-8 is on the RH side....
do i have a choice?
(it'll be a V-8...)
if so, does it have to be a factory tray?
honestly, i'd rather build a good one rather than use the oem one...

Alan Roehrich · 06-05-2010, 05:55 PM

I've been told it must be in the stock location for the combination being run.

I'd guess, just a guess mind you, that the stock tray must be used, I don't remember ever seeing an aftermarket tray in the stock location on a stocker.

Ask Gracia or Bachelder, and get it in writing, do it by email if you like, and keep a copy with the car. You can use a heavy duty hold down, and so long as you do that, I'd say the stock tray will be sufficient.

Mark Yacavone · 06-06-2010, 12:59 AM

The original plastic battery tray in my Mustang was deteriorated beyond use. I fabricated a sturdier one out of aluminum .
The car has been through four teardowns and no one has ever said a word about it.
Just do it!
That goes the same for right side /left side. No one knows, no one cares on a 68 Rambler.

Dragsinger · 06-06-2010, 06:20 AM

you would be fine to buy a replacement (steel, universal, battery tray from a parts store) and fab up a heavy duty hold down. That is completely acceptable.

Dwight Southerland · 06-06-2010, 07:15 AM

Tom -

95% of the tech people will not know what is correct for your car, so you could do either and nobody would care. However, you will be better off with it in the correct V8 location to help balance the weight distribution of the front.

Tom keedle · 06-06-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

Tom -

95% of the tech people will not know what is correct for your car, so you could do either and nobody would care. However, you will be better off with it in the correct V8 location to help balance the weight distribution of the front.

as the engine is offset to the right (that's where amc put 'em, don't blame me

), i honestly don't know WHICH side would be best,particularly with the "tiny" driver (me).

as far as a tech guy knowing which side is which, they probably do now....

Alan Roehrich · 06-06-2010, 09:45 AM

Most, but not all cars have the battery mounted on the same side as the starter, and most good tech people know that.

That being said, I'm sure you can probably get away with fabricating a battery mount for it. I'd bet the worst that would happen is you'd be told to "fix it before you bring it back" if you found a tech guy who didn't like it.

Ed Fernandez · 06-06-2010, 11:27 AM

Just put it on the passenger side,as in all V-8 locations.There is plenty of room to fit a tray
on the passenger side.Make sure to use the correct diameter hold down rods.My outside rod is a bit of a tight squeeze.When you install the trsy move it in a bit to have enough room to fit the hold down properly.

06-05-2010, 05:50 PM	#1
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	battery location so, according to the rule book (nhra), i need the battery in the "stock" location. well, on this american i'm building, the stock location for a 6 cyl is on the LH side and a V-8 is on the RH side.... do i have a choice? (it'll be a V-8...) if so, does it have to be a factory tray? honestly, i'd rather build a good one rather than use the oem one...

06-05-2010, 05:55 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,093 Likes: 1,537 Liked 1,760 Times in 399 Posts	Re: battery location I've been told it must be in the stock location for the combination being run. I'd guess, just a guess mind you, that the stock tray must be used, I don't remember ever seeing an aftermarket tray in the stock location on a stocker. Ask Gracia or Bachelder, and get it in writing, do it by email if you like, and keep a copy with the car. You can use a heavy duty hold down, and so long as you do that, I'd say the stock tray will be sufficient. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-06-2010, 06:20 AM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: battery location you would be fine to buy a replacement (steel, universal, battery tray from a parts store) and fab up a heavy duty hold down. That is completely acceptable.

06-06-2010, 07:15 AM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 63 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: battery location Tom - 95% of the tech people will not know what is correct for your car, so you could do either and nobody would care. However, you will be better off with it in the correct V8 location to help balance the weight distribution of the front.

06-06-2010, 09:45 AM	#7
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,093 Likes: 1,537 Liked 1,760 Times in 399 Posts	Re: battery location Most, but not all cars have the battery mounted on the same side as the starter, and most good tech people know that. That being said, I'm sure you can probably get away with fabricating a battery mount for it. I'd bet the worst that would happen is you'd be told to "fix it before you bring it back" if you found a tech guy who didn't like it. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-06-2010, 11:27 AM	#8
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: battery location Just put it on the passenger side,as in all V-8 locations.There is plenty of room to fit a tray on the passenger side.Make sure to use the correct diameter hold down rods.My outside rod is a bit of a tight squeeze.When you install the trsy move it in a bit to have enough room to fit the hold down properly. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA