How close can a battery be to the engine?

So I've run into a dilemna (thanks to my bad planning) and now I have to find a new place to mount my battery. My trunk doesn't open, so that's not really an option. It used to be in the floor, but I would have to cut it out and make a new box (which could be a pain to change since the doors don't open).

But I do have this little area here:



Would it be too close to the engine and exhaust heat?

This is the battery I plan to run: http://www.tbucketeers.com/threads/odyssey-battery-pc-680.12246/

It's pretty small, so I could fit it in there pretty good, just curious if that's too close. There's no hood or anything, so there would be plenty of air around there to help cool things...

Let me know what you guys think

 

"The doors don't open"

You gonna be sliding in like Bo & Luke Duke? Any room under the seat for the battery?

 

Heat and vibration are two things that you want to try lessen when mounting a battery.

 

Just a thought. Gel batteries can be in any postion, on their side on standing on their end.(Optima red cap)

 

Dry cell or Absorbed Gl*** Mat (AGM). Optima batteries are AGM, not gel. Look at the Davis Unified Ignition Dynabatt. It can crank a decent V8, and is about the size of a motorcycle battery.

 

Make some kind of hoop under the dash, and mount a battery tray to the up under the dash, p***enger side. Even if you can see the battery, if its up off the floor it shouldn't crowd the p***engers feet too much. Just an idea?

 

That's too close and won't look good there anyway.

Find another spot.

 

i think with that battery you could get pretty close, but i think hiding it somewhere would be a better option. behind the seat maybe?

 

Did you ever look at the battery position in a 46-48 Buick???long skinny battery located as in his photo,,right beside the engine,,,many other older cars had them mounted on the firewall too..

 

Way too close,,whats wrong with putting the battery in the trunk,,I've had several cars with batteries in that position. HRP

 

Your blue drawing makes us think you want it down low. Try it sitting on top of the frame, a few inches further from the heat. Its all painted up real nice, use a star washer between the frame and the ground cable.

 

Even later than that...at least through '52...maybe later. The thing is, it was positioned on the "cold" side of the engine...opposite side of the exhaust. This spot is pretty close to the exhaust manifold. Though a small battery in a box might be ok there. The box would act as somewhat of a heat shield. One of those really small batteries could go almost anywhere though.

 

Yes I know it's not the best position... But unfortunately its either here, cutting a hole in my floor, or trying to mount something on under my "dash", which is basically a section of the roll cage. I can't mount it there on the p***enger side because it will crowd with all of my brake and throttle set-up (you sit in the middle in this car), the "drivers" side might be option... As long as it clears the steering.

Unfortunately the seat area isn't an option either... It'll be mounted flat on the floor, and the back will be pretty much against a "wall" of 1/8" plate that seperates the driver from the trunk area.

Again the trunk is welded shut....

Like wbrw32, I've seen some old cars with batteries pretty close to the engine... I gotta think there will be plenty of ventilation there, considering there's no hood, fenders, etc...

 

I think I remember seeing drop-down boxes that mount under the car.

 

To much heat on a battery is not goog.There must be a better way,even in a sealed battery box on the floor or mounted up underneath off the ch***is or in the floor in front of the seat,there will be somewhere. JW

 

How about a access panel behind the seat to the trunk area? HRP

 

On the firewall?

 

Theres a good idea. The thought of that useable space being off closed permanently would drive me nuts

 

With today's sealed batteries you can mount one under the floor with no access above. I have done this, I made the battery box to mount from underneath and made it as easy to remove for service as possible.

This is not ideal but it will work. I only recall one problem, when a battery cable wore through and the car wouldn't start. I had to drop the battery to replace the cable. Oh yeah, when you do this mount the cables securely so they don't rub on the body or frame lol.

It also occurred to me that if I had used a side post battery I would have been able to get at the cable without dropping the battery out.

 

The battery in my '40 Chevy has been in a similar location on the p***. side about 2" from the header and in the exit air stream next to the inner fender. I ran a Diehard there for 10 years or so before it died and another brand (can't recall) for 7 or 8 years before it died. No insulation in the gap on the Diehard and a chunk of Dynamat with the foil on both sides with the fibers between. And put 100K or more on the car in that time period.

Is it the best plan, probably not, but it worked fine.

Charlie

 

V6 Pinto had the battery about 2" from the exhaust manifold from the factory with a small heat shield in between, never had a problem

 

On a 34' Ford pickup I built it went behind the dash. I utilized an Optima battery which I laid on its side so it wouldn't be so tall. Worked out really well. If you didn't know it was there you couldn't see it. All the battery leads couldn't of been 2-3' long, I'd do it again.

 

Sounds like trying it here, or mounting it underneath the car are still the best option. Mounting here would still give me the best access to change it or jump it if necessary.

The trouble with the whole access to the trunk deal, is well, there's no trunk. Literally open space aside from the rear suspension and the gas tank. Plus the seat will be stationary.

If I place it where the picture shows, I'll definately make the box removeable- if it doesn't work there, then it'll be pretty easy to mount it elsewhere.

Also just looked it up, and this battery is advertised to be safe up until 140 degrees...

 

This might give a better idea of what I'm talking about

 

That's where they are on Corvette Sing Rays. About 2-3 inches from the headers on my '66 BB.

 

in my roadster my seats fold forward and batt is right behind in middle on floor russ

 

I just ordered the battery, and got the version with the metal jacket, so I guess it'll have a little more protection.

I'm guessing that hasn't been an issue really??

 

Two things don't belong in the cab with you, don't care what kind of car you build. Gas and batteries, ever seen a battery explode? You certainly don't want it inside with you, if thats the only spot you got there on the frame try it, see how it works, don't put it under the dash.

 

I had sort of forgotten about that added hazard too... My Dad had a battery in his truck tool box, and it ended up tipping on it's side- the two posts shorted out and the battry exploded. Was not a pretty sight in there, and did some serious damage to the aluminum... Not sure I want it placed right over my legs

 

Not in the 30+ years I've had it. Here it is, sans battery. Ugh, time for a new tray and cable.