Alternate Repro R59 Overhaul

**CC Rider** · #1 04-02-2018, 06:00 AM

Since this battery was "dead", I decided to cut the top off and see what was inside. Didn't have anything to lose.

I used a thin blade and hand-cut the top off the battery case. I wanted to control the entire cut. This is what is under the "top".

Although the labels were removed, this appears to be an Odyssey PC-925, available from a number of different sources online.

It is mounted in a large amount of glue or urethane. I carefully used heat to release it. The top plate on the Pc-925 melted a bit. The area on the back that looks burnt is actually residual urethane and part of the case. Now be careful doing this, as I dropped the case on the ground, and it cracked! I was able to mend it with some 3M plastic urethane.

While assisting the Chevy inspector at Barrett Jackson, we encountered many cars with the tops cut off these R59's. However, futile attempts to secure the tops were the norm. I used two heavy duty window shutter magnetic catches and set both pieces in urethane. My fingers are pointing to the flat metal pieces the magnets will be attracted to. Now the top is extremely secured!

I had to fine tune the cut surfaces so the top would lay flat on the case. I haven't purchased a replacement PC-925 as of yet. But if you have one of these cases laying around, here is one method of making it useful again.

68bronze · #2 04-02-2018, 11:04 AM

yes i have these R59,s around one is dead and i have one in the car its going dead, what a great ideal keep me posted, thank you

wrench · #3 04-02-2018, 01:03 PM

Great article. Thank you for posting.

**mockingbird812** · #4 04-02-2018, 01:21 PM

That's the pioneering spirit!!!

HawkX66 · #5 04-02-2018, 02:36 PM

Nice job. So anyone running the R59 is only running 330 cca? Seems pretty low.

**X66 714** · #6 04-02-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkX66

Nice job. So anyone running the R59 is only running 330 cca? Seems pretty low.

Yours & mine are late enough to have the side post battery which has more CCAs...Joe

**Mr70** · #7 04-02-2018, 06:56 PM

The R79W side post had 455 cca when brand new in 1970,but when you buy a reproduction to look like it today,their really selling you an R89 made to look like an R79,that comes with an Odyssey PC925 w/330cca inside.

HawkX66 · #8 04-02-2018, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X66 714

Yours & mine are late enough to have the side post battery which has more CCAs...Joe

Right Joe. I installed replacement side post cables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr70

The R79W side post had 455 cca when brand new in 1970,but when you buy a reproduction to look like it today,their really selling you an R89 made to look like an R79,that comes with an Odyssey PC925 w/330cca inside.

Wow. Even 455 cca. To spin over a 10.25:1 big block...

**CC Rider** · #9 04-02-2018, 07:24 PM

Thanks everyone!

330 CCA handled my Chevelle well, even in the heat. But I only got about 3 years out of the battery. I now have an appropriate maintenance charger for an AGM type battery.

**Canuck** · #10 04-02-2018, 08:35 PM

I have an R71 and cut the bottom out, encountered the tar as well. Havent intalled a new Odessy yet but plan to.

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to CC Rider For This Useful Post:
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