They look pretty but mine only lasted about two years. Not worth the $255 I paid for it. Mark -----Original Message----- From: retromobilia <retromobilia@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: Rich Barber <c300@xxxxxxx> Cc: Chris Pinder <kmaniak@xxxxxxx>; Larry Jett <larrywjett@xxxxxxxxx>; Terry & Andree Hoeman <tehoema@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Don Warnaar <300country@xxxxxxx>; chrysler300 <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Michael Falcone <mjf175@xxxxxxx>; josh <josh@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wed, Mar 27, 2013 5:07 pm Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 1958 300D - Original Battery What do you think of the mopar look-alike gelcel battery? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx> To: "Terry & Andree Hoeman" <tehoema@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Don Warnaar" <300country@xxxxxxx>, chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Michael Falcone" <mjf175@xxxxxxx>, josh@xxxxxxxxxx Cc: "Chris Pinder" <kmaniak@xxxxxxx>, "Larry Jett" <larrywjett@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 11:45:10 PM Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] 1958 300D - Original Battery I've been reading the reproduction battery stories and discussing them with owners for several years and have observed the following: Reproduction MoPar, Auto-Lite and Willard batteries are available from several sources. http://restorationbattery.com/index.html http://antiqueautobattery.com/ http://www.batterycentralmall.com/Batteries/TurboStart/TurboStart_Script.htm l http://shop.turbostart.com/Collector-Car-Series_c2.htm They are very expensive to purchase and ship-up to twice as much as a standard battery. Their longevity is not great. Purchasers are often disappointed in the appearance, configuration of posts, cost and performance of these reproductions. Their cranking capacity is less than may be available from readily-available premium batteries, such as Interstate, DieHard. Costco's Kirkland batteries are highly rated and bargain priced. Interstate has an online catalog of batteries. This link is for a '58 Chrysler with several options available. http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Search.aspx/Vintage-Car/Chrysle r?dsNavigation=Ns~product+Type%7c101%7c1%7c,N~2147384794-2147384936-42944934 63 < http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Search.aspx/Vintage-Car/Chrysl er?dsNavigation=Ns~product+Type%7c101%7c1%7c,N~2147384794-2147384936-4294493 463%20%20%20%20%0dor> or < http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Search.aspx/Vintage-Car/Chrysl er?dsNavigation=Ns~product+Type%7c101%7c1%7c,N~2147384794-2147384936-4294493 463%20%20%20%20%0dor> : http://tinyurl.com/dx9y9vo Some of our old Brutes need all the cranking power they can get to pull today's motor fuels into the carb bowls. Reproduction tar tops and complete empty cases are available and may or may not be used to encase the new gel batteries such as Optimas. I understand the Optima batteries like a slightly higher (0.35-0.70 Volts higher) charging voltage as compared to the 13.3-14.3 Volts specified in the '64 Chrysler service manual. http://www.tartopper.com/ http://www.batterytoppers.com/index.html Chrysler 300 Club judging does not delete points for generic black batteries, especially if the non-original decals and stickers are removed. They may award extra points in concours judging for a reproduction battery. Reproduction side and end stickers are available to stick on a new, modern, high-capacity, long-lived and maintenance-free batteries. Proper cables, cable ends, bolts and hold-down hardware in good condition adds a lot to under-hood appearance. We'd like to hear from anyone who has experienced satisfactory to good results from any of the vendors listed or any other vendor or solution to the vintage battery issue. Until then, Google, study and shop for something that suits your fancy, enhances the underhood appearance of your Chrysler 300, cranks and starts the engine under all conditions and doesn't leave you stranded at the side of the road. I'm using Interstate's "Workaholic" Group 2-XHD battery in my '55, peeled off the stickers, painted the filler plugs red and replaced the cables. It looks just fine. The Workaholic Group 2-XHD battery is shown at: http://tinyurl.com/ctqsm3v and will crank all day. It appears a Group 27 battery was standard in my 300K and further study shows there is also a Group 27F with reversed terminals. I think the F stands for Ford-with maybe GM & MoPars the plain Group 24 or 27. The Group 27 batteries are about 1.8" longer than the Group 24's. I'll be needing one soon. I've seen various configurations of these batteries in '64's with stretched/extended cables and posts to the center or to the edge of the engine compartment. Which is correct for a K? 24, 24F, 27, 27F??? Battery mounted with terminals closest to the left fender edge or closest to the engine? Positive terminal to the front or rear? MoPar to ya! Rich Barber Brentwood, CA From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ] On Behalf Of Terry & Andree Hoeman Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 7:11 PM To: 'Don Warnaar'; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; 'Michael Falcone' Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] 1958 300D - Original Battery I've always understood that the Willard Battery was used in at least the early 50s. Picked up a bunch of new condition Willard signs from the local dealership some years back. 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