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MG MGB Technical - Best Battery

Have a 74.5 MBGT and am looking for information on the best battery for the car. Replacing a Sears Die Hard. The posts seem too small diameter to hold well to my connectors slipping off regularly.Any suggestions? Thanks!
JOHN
JW Colson

John, I owned my 79 MGB for seven years now and still have the same battery the car was equipped with It's an Exide maintainance-free.

cheers

gary :>{D
79MGB
gnhansen

JW-
Get an Interstate battery. Plenty of cold cranking amperage, long lifespan. Strong warranty, but you probably will never need to use it as I've never had one fail within the warranty period. We have one in each of our nine cars and have never had a problem with an Interstate battery.
Steve S.

As far as I know all batteries will have the same diameter posts. If your cable terminal posts will not thghten they should be replaced. If you have cable terminals that use two bolts to clamp them on that is a common problem with the negative terminal. I think some those terminals have the same size hole for both battery posts. In my opinion it's best to buy new cables when a post terminal is bad.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

I've had an Omni sealed battery in my 77 B for the last 5 years and still going strong. Highly recommended but a little pricey. New cables should do the trick for you as Clifton said.
JCH Hibbard

Not intended as a endorsement for Diehards, but the last one I had in my GT was in there and still working well after 8 yrs when I replaced it as a precautionary measure!

I credit the longevity more to having a properly operating charging circuit (a good alternator, I use a Bosch) and to reasonably regular inspection and maintenance of its wiring, cleanliness, and operation than to brand.

The most recent Consumer Reports comparison rated WalMart's batteries over even the once top rated Interstate's this last time. You can discount that if you want, but many folks have reported their satisfaction with them as well, so at the least they can reasonably priced option to Diehards and Interstates.
Bob Muenchausen

My last pair of Interstate 6 volt batteries lasted 13 years! RAY
RAY

In the UK at least the +ve and -ve posts are different sizes. Not by much, but it may make a big connector slip off a small post if the wrong one has been fitted or the polarity has been changed on an early car. But if you have the cup-type connectors with the little screw instead of the bolt-up then these expand over time and do become loose. Chop them off and fit the type with a bolt. The right connectors on the right leads of course!
Paul Hunt

In my opinion, Westco batteries as found in Miatas are the way to go. They are half the weight and size as a standard battery with the same amount of power. They are completely sealed so no acid can ever leak, and can even be mounted sideways or upside down. Being glass mat technology they will also hold a charge longer than regular lead acid. Cost is about $90.
Steve Simmons

Steve,
Do westco's come in series 26?
Bob Dougherty

They come in one size, and it's far smaller than your standard group 26 lead acid battery. No problems with fitting through the battery access hole! You can even place them inside a battery box liner.
Steve Simmons

I got a smaller than average battery for my 80 LE. I want to say it was a 24. I was tired of trying to get the stock size battery out of the hole so I filled in 3 sides with 3/4" plywood.

It's been fine so far, and a dream to remove when I need to get at something.
Jeff Grant

The battery posts are different size, normally it is the negative post that is smaller. I buy mine from the local Farm & Fleet store, they are made by Globe Union/Johnson Controls who also makes the Diehards for Sears. Last one in the A went 9 years.
John H

"I was tired of trying to get the stock size battery out of the hole"

If my replacements don't have a handle I lower it in with a flex cradle and leave it in there ready in case it needs to be lifted out again.
Paul Hunt

Excellent idea Paul, now why didn't I think of that the last time I had to remove the battery.
Luis

Even batteries that are the correct size which include straps I found wiggling through the opening. I usually have the top down though at the time so I need to maneuver it past that.
Jeff Grant

You shouldn't have a problem with a 6v battery, or a 12v battery of the correct size in a 12v hole, but are likely to with a 12v battery in a 6v hole. My roadster came like that, and the cradle had been extended rearwards by about an inch to accomodate it. When I came to replace the battery (with twin 6v of course) I realised it wasn't going to lift straight out, and wondered if it had been welded in when the cradle had been extended! Then I realised there was enough height for me to tip the battery on to its end (fortunately it was sealed) and then I could lift it out.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2008 and 11/09/2008

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