I'm looking at my '77 242 with it's battery tray, "end-ledge," style hold downs and wishing I could do a neat job of installing a new Interstate battery that has no lower end ledges.

I'm recalling that my '77 does NOT have a removable lower tray. That came with later 240's like our '89. My 77 uses the lower hold downs while our '89 has threaded rods that rise to the top of the battery.

Anyone conerted the older style to the newer? Or a good workaround that isn't just a bungie cord holding down the battery?

When shopping for a battery, it seems the end ledge styles are now a little harder to find. Besides, a friend just gave me a brand new Interstate with no ledges and I'd like to use it - but also make a tasteful installation.

Just thinking...... ???

Dennis

My '81 had the long top clamps. However, those long studs just melt away. I think the answer is a plastic battery box. It should come with a nylon strap to hold the lid on which will also hold the battery box in place. The top of the battery stays clean and all the corrosive stuff is trapped in the box.

The ultimate may be moving the battery to the right side trunk tire well. Batteries don't like heat and should last longer. It requires some 2/0 arc welding cable from an RV supply and a battery tray made with angle.

Hi Dennis,

I think all the stock 240 battery mounting depends on the bottom ears of a type 47 battery. If you saw one that has a strap across the top, it wasn't done by Volvo.

The big "improvement" arrived in '87 when the metal tray was replaced with a plastic tray, and the lock is a hard rubber or plastic sliding insert to the tray which holds the bottom lip of the battery. I might call it an upgrade, because it doesn't die of corrosion.

Replacement metal trays (I bought one from FCP some time ago for my 79) for the pre -87 style have the long "eyebolt" clamp screw.

I'm sure you can find battery hold-down kits aftermarket that will allow you to use those earless 24 size and so-forth batteries. I've used them with monster zip ties, but that won't be acceptable in a safety inspection.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.