The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Dimensions of battery box 3100

Dear all,
Does anybody know the dimensions of the original battery box on a 3100 1949 model?
I need to buy a new 6volt batterie and would like the biggest cold crank amp as possible but I am not where the truck is at and dont have any body to measure.
Thats why I would like to know the dimensions to fit the biggest batterie.


Thanks for your help!!

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4990.htm

The Optima 6v battery fits in the original 47-55st battery tray and can be installed diagonally with the original battery retainer/hold-down.

Use felt anti-corrosion rings (and conductive anti-oxidant grease for both connection ends of both cables).

Both the positive cable and all ground straps/cables should be no smaller than 2 gauge and could be as large as 00 gauge.

The Optima website has a thingy that lets you check fit. It lists your vehicle in the choices and even goes back into the 1800's, which is pretty surprising, although they say they dont' have a battery that will fit a 1898 Duryea or a 1929 Ford Model A. In my experience, the 6V for my Model A was the same size as the one for my '51 Chevy.

Great! Thanks for your quick replies and help!!

Would the felt rings be needed on an Optima battery since it's not a lead acid battery? I've also read that NO-OX ID is also a good conductive grease.

Ed,

Yes, NO-OX ID is a good choice: " . . is an electrically conductive grease that keeps metals free from rust and corrosion . . . "

I suggested the felt rings for use as an "insulator" between the battery posts and the battery cover. The Optima battery placed diagonally in the battery box fits snugly/securely under the the battery top retainer (link given in a post above), but the posts are a little close to the edges of that retainer. Put the inexpensive insulators above the retainer on the battery posts as a cheap, and probably unneeded, "insulator".

The 6v battery box size on 47-55st trucks was designed for the very commonly used Group Size 1.

Optimas are initially more money but I had one in my 54 for 13 years and it did not fail but was getting weaker so I replaced it before going to KC for the truck show. Auto Zone sells a similar one made by Penn called a Platiumn that is a gel and a little cheaper. I know they have 12v but I am not sure about 6volt.

Optima still uses lead acid chemistry but with a very different internal structure (and higher purity lead). I suspect picking one up would verify that.

Tim,

Thanks for the info on the battery group...It's the first thing my supply guy asked me, is what "group" my old 6 volt was...

Jim