850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71400lb · 01-17-2006, 03:41 PM

So I went to replace my battery and specifically asked for an 850 CCA/1000 CA, to replace the battery that's in the truck now. Stupid me trusted the guy and sure enough when I got home it was a 710 CCA!

I replaced it anyway, but the truck wouldn't start! It was turning over fine, but wouldn't catch! So I swapped back in the old 850 CCA and it started right up!

Is this just s fluke, or does the engine really need an 850 CCA battery?

It's a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne, 3/4 Ton, 2wd with a 400 SBC bored .30 over, with a 400 Turbo Trans.

Thanks,
Rick

68haywagon · 01-17-2006, 03:46 PM

Did you check the voltage on the new battery? CCA is cold cranking amps, I can't see how a lower number wouldn't start your truck unless is was really cold out. I got a battery almost dead brand new once, need a little boost to get the car running and the new battery charging.

Mike

71400lb · 01-17-2006, 04:11 PM

Thanks for the reply.
I know! It doesn't make sense!
Unless the guy I bought the truck from put on a high torque starter on there, or the connections at the sarter are corroded, I'm stumped!

Rick

masterbeavis · 01-18-2006, 01:18 PM

Batteries loose their charge over time, it is possible to buy a brand new battery that needs to be chaged. A parts guy worth his salt would have checked it before letting you out the door.

My vote is to take the battery back and get a refund, you wanted 800+, and didnt get it.

71400lb · 01-18-2006, 01:26 PM

Masterbeavis,
Yes, I agree and that's exactly what I did...I brought it back! The guy ended up apologizing, and he has ordered an 850 CCA battery for me, which he will sell to me for the same price. I pick it up over the weekend.

Thanks,
Rick

**StingRay** · 01-18-2006, 02:29 PM

As CCA goes you should have a minimum of 1 CCA per cubic inch to start an engine when it's about room temperature. For very cold climates a minimum of 2 CCA per cubich inch is the bare necessity. A 900 CCA battery will start my truck with a 350 in well past 40 below zero. A 900 CCA would however just barely crank my Dad's 454 over in sub 40 below and actually starting at those temps was hit and miss. For high compression engines the requirements are higher and for engines with gear reduction starters the reqirements can be lower.

*bskylerj* · 01-18-2006, 03:09 PM

What shop did you buy it from. The battery will have a dote code on it and also will have a stamped date code in the case. The battery could be an older battery and have sat on his shelf for a while. Batteries are like milk, they will go bad after a while. I use to be a regional manager for Exide Batteries and you would not believe what goes on in that industry to get rid of old product.

01-17-2006, 03:41 PM	#1
71400lb 71400lb Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 74	850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA So I went to replace my battery and specifically asked for an 850 CCA/1000 CA, to replace the battery that's in the truck now. Stupid me trusted the guy and sure enough when I got home it was a 710 CCA! I replaced it anyway, but the truck wouldn't start! It was turning over fine, but wouldn't catch! So I swapped back in the old 850 CCA and it started right up! Is this just s fluke, or does the engine really need an 850 CCA battery? It's a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne, 3/4 Ton, 2wd with a 400 SBC bored .30 over, with a 400 Turbo Trans. Thanks, Rick

01-17-2006, 03:46 PM	#2
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA Did you check the voltage on the new battery? CCA is cold cranking amps, I can't see how a lower number wouldn't start your truck unless is was really cold out. I got a battery almost dead brand new once, need a little boost to get the car running and the new battery charging. Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

01-17-2006, 04:11 PM	#3
71400lb 71400lb Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 74	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA Thanks for the reply. I know! It doesn't make sense! Unless the guy I bought the truck from put on a high torque starter on there, or the connections at the sarter are corroded, I'm stumped! Rick

01-18-2006, 01:18 PM	#4
masterbeavis Having issues Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eldorado Ca, an hour east of sacramento Posts: 696	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA Batteries loose their charge over time, it is possible to buy a brand new battery that needs to be chaged. A parts guy worth his salt would have checked it before letting you out the door. My vote is to take the battery back and get a refund, you wanted 800+, and didnt get it. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati. The Man's Prayer: "I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."

01-18-2006, 01:26 PM	#5
71400lb 71400lb Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 74	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA Masterbeavis, Yes, I agree and that's exactly what I did...I brought it back! The guy ended up apologizing, and he has ordered an 850 CCA battery for me, which he will sell to me for the same price. I pick it up over the weekend. Thanks, Rick

01-18-2006, 02:29 PM	#6
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA As CCA goes you should have a minimum of 1 CCA per cubic inch to start an engine when it's about room temperature. For very cold climates a minimum of 2 CCA per cubich inch is the bare necessity. A 900 CCA battery will start my truck with a 350 in well past 40 below zero. A 900 CCA would however just barely crank my Dad's 454 over in sub 40 below and actually starting at those temps was hit and miss. For high compression engines the requirements are higher and for engines with gear reduction starters the reqirements can be lower. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

01-18-2006, 03:09 PM	#7
bskylerj Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SPOKANE, WASHINGTON Posts: 1,001	Re: 850 Cold Cranking Amps vs 710 CCA What shop did you buy it from. The battery will have a dote code on it and also will have a stamped date code in the case. The battery could be an older battery and have sat on his shelf for a while. Batteries are like milk, they will go bad after a while. I use to be a regional manager for Exide Batteries and you would not believe what goes on in that industry to get rid of old product.



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