What way does the battery go?

[davepl]

Do the posts go on top or does it sit on them like little legs?

OK, I'm kidding. But even after a fair bit of searching I can't find a good original photo of whether the posts are on the engine side or the grill side. I have them with posts forward right now, which works fine, but I'm not sure it's 'correct'.

While I'm at it, is there a general rule or all vehicles different?

Thanks,
Dave

[DesertCat]

Works fine = correct

I don't know. Unusual question though...

[franken]

My opinion has always been to the rear. That puts the terminals closer to the load they'll run--the starter.
I know side terminal batteries faced to the rear on my parents 73.

But in flipping through the AIM, I see 3 drawings of 67-68 trucks with the top terminals in front, and 4 drawings dated 4/70 showing no terminals at all.

I'd wonder how the +/- terminals were oriented on the battery in different years, and when the switch to side terminals happened to get a better idea. But I'm too lazy to start checking parts store sites to figure out that stuff.

[Stocker]

On my '72 K20, which I have owned for 37 years, the terminals face the rear of the truck. Others may be different for all I know.

[FirstOwner69]

I bought my 69 new. The top posts have always been on the radiator support side, positive toward the passenger fender. In fact, I don't think the original positive cable fusible link would reach the junction box any other way. I took the original cables off 3 years ago and have pictures if anyone is interested.

The 71s and 72s need to be mounted the other way or the side terminals would touch the support or not be accessible.

[john]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I bought my 69 new. The top posts have always been on the radiator support side, positive toward the passenger fender. In fact, I don't think the original positive cable fusible link would reach the junction box any other way. I took the original cables off 3 years ago and have pictures if anyone is interested.

The 71s and 72s need to be mounted the other way or the side terminals would touch the support or not be accessible.

I agree, the original top post batts were 24C's

[davepl]

Originally Posted by john

I agree, the original top post batts were 24C's

Que? My understanding was they were R59s unless you had T62 option then you got the HD battery which was a R71s.

24C is just a size group code I think.

[FirstOwner69]

I think your numbers are correct for the original AC Delco batteries. However, the industry standard replacement for the R59s is the 24C group code and that number appears on the batteries as the identifier. I don't recall seeing R59s since I replaced my original other than on the reproduction batteries. I have no idea what the industry replacement group code is for the R71.

[bollybib]

I did a lot of searching a couple of years ago on this question, so you are not alone. For my 69 C20 (no aux battery), I came to the conclusion that the posts should be next to the radiator support because the wiring all falls into place in an orderly manner in that position. So that is how I put it in and wired it up. However, I didn't see any reason why it couldn't be installed the other way if you wanted to !

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=255