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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - What's the best battery?

Will an Optima fit? If not is the Diehard the best choice?

Jim
Jim Blackwood

I've seen Optima batteries fit MGs. They are the best imho, but also the most expensive.
Steve Simmons

Odd, the one I got is too wide.
Jim Blackwood

I managed to get it to go in about a third of the way, but then it stopped. Looks like the base is about 1/2" wider than the box. So do I beat out the sides of the box and hope the top of the battery will clear, or is there another battery?

Jim
Or does it only fit the later cars maybe? (Mine's CB)
Jim Blackwood

It should fit a later car -- if I'm not mistaken, the later cars used a single Group 24, which should be about the same dimensions as an Optima. The earlier twin-6v cars of course take a Group 26, which is smaller.

Personally, I've always like Interstate batteries. I ran an Interstate Megatron MT-26 for many years. When it finally died, I replaced it with a battery from Autozone, mainly because I'm cheap. ;-)
Rob Edwards

Jim, ever hear of Odyssey Dry Cells?

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/

supposed to be the best, I'm currently looking to getting this for my V8.

Go here to check the specs on a Group 24 size battery:

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/documents/odyssey%20bci%20size%20conversion.pdf

Here is a list of Dealer that sell the Odyssey in your area:

Location City State Phone
Battery Distributing Co. Knoxville TN 423-523-9842
S&W Battery Nashville TN 615-242-0008
Batteries Plus Madison TN 615-851-5155
Batteries Plus Nashville TN 615-331-1551
Batteries Plus Clarksville TN 931-647-5200
Batteries Plus Hixson TN 423-874-1050
Batteries Plus Jackson TN 731-660-0600
Batteries Plus Kingsport TN 423-247-1175
Batteries Plus Knoxville TN 865-692-0002
Batteries Plus Knoxville TN 865-688-8081
Batteries Plus Memphis TN 901-821-0977
Michael S. Domanowski

Optima red tops are incredible batteries. I would have used a BFH to get it in the battery compartment if it didn't already fit in my car...

Justin

I'm not familiar with Odessy at all, wonder if they sell them in Florence Kentucky?

I already have the Optima and rumor has it you can tip a larger battery and get one in the compartment (up to a 63 size) so I'm looking into it but I do have some fuel lines sort of in the way.

Jim

btw: Michael, if you do not have new washers under your head bolts then keep a close eye on them. Can cause all sorts of trouble.
J
Jim Blackwood

Jim, Sorry I thought you lived in Tennessee.
Here are the Kentucky listings:

Batteries Plus Bowling Green KY 270-393-8880
Batteries Plus Louisville KY 502-969-1555
Batteries Plus Louisville KY 502-253-0300
Batteries Plus Louisville KY 502-995-3200
Batteries Plus Hopkinsville KY 270-885-1818
Batteries Plus Owensboro KY 270-684-3115



Michael S. Domanowski

Well, I live in Kingsport. I could pick one up for ya and bring it since I'm sure you are gonna trailer that Beast. ;)
Carl Floyd

No actually it looks like I'm going to drive it. But thanks for the offer. I went ahead and installed the Optima. Maybe next time I'll try one of those.

Right now I'm waiting on valve spring shims and the flywheel. Won't get much driving time in before the trip, but we'll stick the towbar in the back of Edith's Jeep just in case.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim,

Gotta wonder how many times you'll get pulled over just so the cops can check it out! :)
Carl

I know. I actually thought more than once of going by the local police station to satisfy their curiosity but then there's the county, and the state, and all the other towns right in close, and second shift and... well, might not be the best idea.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim
How did you install your opitma? I got one a few years back and installed it in the compartment sideways to get it to fit. The instructions said that was okay to do since it is a dry cell battery. So my terminals are on the side instead of up top when you pull the lid off and look.
Let me know
Thanks,
Wally
Wally Jonker

Hey Wal,

Ever realised the humourous results of swapping the first two letters of your first name with the first two letters of your surname?

You're clearly a man happy to take matters into his own hands...
Jonesy

Perhaps we can give Jim a new nickname....

"Hoover"...travel with him in the lead and travel safe....all police will be sucked to his MG, allowing yours to continue unscathed!

rick
rick ingram

This thread was discussed between 03/08/2004 and 07/08/2004

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