VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 battery box

I have found an original '31 battery box, and have mounted it in my frame, but I don't know how the battery was secured in the thing. It is open on one side. Was there a battery hold down that fastened around the top of the battery?

No. The battery sat in the battery box with a battery clamp wood spacer between the battery case and one of the side battery braces. Two long thru bolts (long carriage bolts) went through the battery braces (one in front of the battery and one in back of the battery) and when the bolts were tightened down that pressed the wood battery clamp between the battery case and the battery brace holding the battery in place. The battery clamp wood spacer had holes in each end for the two long carriage bolts to pass through when they were installed.

In case you are wondering, no the battery clamp wood spacers are not being reproduced.

Hey puppy face how wrong you are. The wood spacers have indeed been reproduced. It is just not well known who did it and how they can be purchased. Email me for the details.

Wow....that is news to the Chevrolet world! To heck with the email, post the information here so that everyone will know! Don't keep this information a big secret. :eek: Also, since the battery made today is of different dimensions than the original batteries, are the dimensions of the repro battery wood clamp spacers compensated for so that a new battery will fit in the battery tray? Are two battery wood clamp spacers used now instead of only one?

Well Chipper I found some for my 28, They were made of Beenatree wood, and I used some 5/16 all thread covered with some rubber hose to hold the battery in, however later I put a allthread rod along the length of the battery box, also with a covering of rubber hose to allow the battery to tilt ,just a schose, toward the inside of the car to give more clearance for the battery terminals and the floorboard. Is that original or what?

Guys,
According to my research originally two part number 347580 Battery Spacers were used for the '29-36 models. Later the batteries were wider (having more plates) and then only one spacer was used. With the original dimensions for the spacers, the battery box will only accommodate one spacer when using a modern 6-volt battery. Further spacers were used up to 1948 for some model Chevrolet cars and trucks. There are several part numbers so there were several variations that eventually were all serviced by part number 347580 (the original part) or not available.

By the way the first listing I can find for the spacer is in the Feb. 1, 1930 Master Parts Price List. It lists I (International, 1929) and U (Universal, 1930) for the models. The part number is not in the Aug. ’29 parts book. Therefore I would conclude that there are two possible explanations. First the spacers were factory installed in 1929 models and just not serviced in the parts system. Or maybe by late 1929 a pair of spacers were factory installed and for sure by early 1930 models. I feel that the first option is more likely. As a companion the Delco-Remy Model 13B battery part number 825693 was first listed in the Aug. 29 parts book. So even though we know that a battery was factory installed in 1929 models none were available through the Chevrolet parts distribution system until later in 1929. That in my mind supports the delay in listing in the parts books.

Oh, yes, I have reproduced the original spacer found in Cathy’s 1931 Fire Truck and have a few extras. Just an added touch for you 100% purists.

Does anyone have a picture of a battery box they could post??

Hey Chippy Dippy: I ran into the opposite problem with the battery clamp wood spacer (347580) when I dried to install a modern 6-volt battery in my 1930 coupe. The parts books that I have all indicate that one battery clamp wood spacer was used. I was able to find a new old stock battery clamp wood spacer and when I installed it with a modern battery I discovered that two wood spacers were needed to take up the space, not one. So, I made (using my new old stock wood spacer as a pattern) and installed two wood spacers with my modern battery to make it fit correctly in the battery holder.

hey chipper my 31 has two wood spacers one on each side and the six volt battery fits with out any problem i think im using a tractor supply battery in that one i dont remember if i took a little off each one to make it fit i do know that they are grooved on the back to go over the rivets

Hey,
Push since I made yours maybe they will fit with a TS battery. But I checked mine again and am about 1/4" to thick to use two. Guess you shaved a bit off each one to get the snug fit. Or your battery box is a bit wider than mine. Could be either, so I will investigate further.

Also know that if you use round head rivets or stove bolts in place of the original flat head rivets that the grooves in the back side need to be deeper.

I'd be glad to post a picture of the '31 battery box I have. Unfortunately, I don't know how to post it. I can send a picture via email, if posting the picture isn't possible.

6wheel you can send me a picture if you have one.
skattengell@charter.net

Thanks

I would like a picture too if Chevman doesn't post it.
Thanks
Jerry

If possbile can I have a pic too?
Thank you, Bob (seaboardbob@aol.com)


:) 1929 Chevrolet: A Six in the price range of a four!

1929 Coach

I'll snap a picture of the box today and email it to those who requested it.
Does anyone have a source for rivets to install this box? How would they be installed? I've heard of imitation rivets, but never seen any.

I bought the rivets to install the box from Big Flats Rivet Co. There are two different rivets. One size and type to attach the sheet metal to the bars and another to attach the assembly to the frame. Do you want a picture of one mounted or unmounted?

I took a couple of shots of original supports with repro sheet metal, wooden spacers and bolts and an unmounted original box with one original bolt. I made some extra sheet metal repair parts if anyone needs one. The '29-30 and '32 use the same sheet metal without the dimple in the bottom. The dimple is so the bolt head does not touch the battery.

Chipper What is the distance from the top of the wooden spacers to the bottom of the metal tray?

Thanks

Thanks, 6wheel. I got your photo.
jerrygolf

Another thanks to 6wheel for the pics. Would have
thanked you sooner, but I'm in the process of moving. Bob


1929 Chevrolet: A Six in the price range of a Four!

1929 Coach

The distance from the top of the bar to the bottom of the box is 5 1/2". The wood extends a little above the bar.

Chipper are the coach bolts (batteryclamp bolts) readily available in the US as the longest we can get here in Australia fall way short and most people do the Mr Mack trick using allthread.

First sit down. Now that you are sitting they are available from the Filling Station at a reasonable price (part number AF-15). They are 12" long so you will need to cut about 1 1/2" off. The longest 5/16" carriage bolt that I can find at the hardware suppliers is 10" long which is about 1/2" too short if my memmory is still any good. The other option is to buy all 5/16 rod and a shorter bolt, cut it in two and weld in a piece of rod, then get it plated or painted. I have done it in the past but not worth the effort for what the FS charges.

one thing you may want to try...fter you get the bolts and spacers all adjusted to the battery measure the inside distance on the bolts and cut and paint a couple of pieces of 1/2" heater hose or 1/2" pvc (I like the gray kind that you use for electrical conduit) and cover the bolts it protects your battery and bolts. I did mine by just looseing the nuts on one end and removing the nuts from the other end on the 28.

thanks Chip I didn,t realize that Steve had them at the filling station ,I had already tried the cut and shut but I didn,t use it , Mr Mack I had insulated mine as well ,and got the old JYD to give me the measurements for the timber side clamps a few years ago .and now I will get the bolts from the Filling station .