What is the best battery for a Triumph TR7?

[silverseven]

I must say luckily over here in MTL, we have 2-3 Brit suppliers in a 1/2 radius, and a few repair shops too, so finding parts has not been much of a problem for me (the internet really helps too)
As i have worked for a new car dealer for most of my working life, thankfully I am able to avoid buying most, if any automotive parts from Crappytire, saving them for more of a depanneur when stuck on Saturdays after everyone else has closed up shop......
(though as has been said before , they do make good tools for the hobbist, and have great specials on oils and such...so I do spend some time with their weekly fylers in the "office/library" reading room {cough-cough}

Ron.

[bmcecosse]

Can anyone tell me the correct size battery for a TR7? The tray is very narrow......

[Howard722]

An 038 is the original fit but an 015 is the same physical size but has more CCA`s (about 350), if you can track one down.

cheers

[FI Spyder]

The tray is very narrow and very long. Batteries that narrow tend to be quite high. Mine looks like it would hit the bonnet when closed but obviously doesn't. I would take those dimensions and see what batteries fit in that space. Battery sizes vary with in certain types. When trying to find a battery for my Tercel the recommended sizes didn't fit and had to take tray dimensions in and select a battery that way. With batteries you generally get what you pay for. CCA's is a rating but tells you nothing about how long a battery will last. That depends on plate thickness, depth of bottom well (deeper the better as when the well fills up with flaked off plate that cell will short out).

My Werker (Made in Wisconsin) Part Number 22NF, RC 58, is 9.25" to top of battery post and is just over 6 years old and still going strong (knock on wood).



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[bmcecosse]

Thanks both. Bit of research and some measuring shows a 057 (also 049) size will fit nicely with 45 Ah and 420 CCA. However an 055 is slightly smaller (and cheaper!) has 35 Ah and 320 CCA. Since my car is not used in winter - it won't have any difficult starts....so I think the 055 will be the one for me. £30 for a Lucas Premium with 3 year warranty....not too bad.

[busheytrader]

015's are available out there and the extra capacity is handy if you're cranking over a V8



TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 14" 5 Spokes or Maestro Turbo 15" Alloys, Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991 courtesy of S&S V8 conversion and big brake kits.

[rugbyref1]

Having bought another TR7 with a lazy battery, I decided on buying an 015 from Lucas ... size is L 245mm x W 135mm x H 200mm - 12V - 36AH - 320 amps Cold Start (SAE)

[TonyS]

You won't go wrong with the Lucas battery and it looks the right make for originality under the bonnet...whether it is or not!

After a bit of online research, I actually went for a Lion 038 battery from Euro Car Parts as it seems the best spec for the 015/038 size at 45Ah and 330 CCA. It looks well made and turns the engine nicely, even after a couple of weeks rest without charge.

[UKPhilTR7]

After a good run of about 11 years, my battery finally needs to be changed.

I have had a look and the following seems to be good for the space in the TR7 engine bay. Yes it is a little taller but it will fit (just).

Has anyone had one of these batteries and would you agree that it is OK for our classics?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PREMIUM-12v-Type-049-Car-Battery-EB451-YBX1049/192635251630?fits=Model%3ATR+7&hash=item2cd9f4abae:g:7GcAAOSwuMRbfn41

[FI Spyder]

Any battery that fits will work. Over here I think it's group 47 that does. The biggest thing is the width (which is narrow). The price is usually dependent on thickness of plates, depth of wells. As the battery is used parts of the lead plate falls off and descends to the bottom. When the wells fill up, it shorts out the cell. You also need the thickness of plate to provide enough lead to last. These things are not specified and you just have to go by price. Batteries go on sale from time to time (depending on retailer) but the case is usually you need one right now so unless your lucky..... Eleven years is about as long as you get. Can you get the same brand? There usually only a fixed number of places that make batteries and they make them for a number of companies to their specs and slap their names on them.

[busheytrader]

I use the 015 spec battery.

It sits in the standard battery tray and has to swing a V8 to life. No issues. If I'm not using the wedge for a while I have a battery charger with a time switch set for 15 minutes a day.

Tayna batteries have a useful website showing dimensions and location of new and pos posts if you're not already using it. I've bought from them in the past for cars and motorbike.

[jeffremj]

I got this one:

Spins the V8 with no problems 015

[Beans]

Replaced this one for an identical one this week

[UKPhilTR7]

Thanks bmcecosse.

The 015 is; Length: 245mm, Width: 135mm and Height: 200mm
The 049 is; Length (mm): 220, Width (mm): 135 and Height (mm): 225.
The 049 BATTERY S4 023 is L 238mm x W 129mm x H 227mm

So the only main difference is the height 25mm & 27mm higher than the 015 battery.

I went and checked and the height of 225mm will fit nice under the bonnet. It looks like it may catch the top but nope there is room there.