If you need the shelf on the sides you could look into a Wal-Mart Everstart Model 24-3N for $39 with return. It is made by Johnson and has a 2 year full return and pro-rates out to 4(?). Rated at 600 CCA and 720 Cranking. I have used it on two of my cars with no problem.

Mario
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'I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane' Waylon Jennings

Most every batteries sold at retail these days are manufactured by the same two companines - Exide and Johnson Control. That's not to say that a battery manufactured by the same company but sold under different names are exactly alike, but given similar specs, they will be close.

Exide 24F batteries still have the mounting ears for clamp down, as does the proper Group 46(?) by both companies.

My perspective - forget the clamp down and buy a set of J-hooks so you can use and secure whatever in Group 24/34 is available with the right terminal arrangement. Buy it by the free replacement warranty period (*), CCA (**), manufacture date code (***), and price.

-- Kane

* - Avoid any that only offer 90 days, or no free replacement period. Those batteries are not designed to last long.

** - Likewise, batteries with higher CCA tend to offer more reserve capacity, but don't dwell too much on paying a lot more for just a little more in CCA. 525 is the bare minimum to consider, 600-700 is better to consider.

*** - There's a sticker on the side that's alpha-number; letter denotes month, so A=Jan, B=Feb, etc., and number is the last digit of the year, so 4=2004, 5=2005. Don't buy any new battery that's more than 3 months old!
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While I would never deliberately mislead anyone, take into consideration that any information and advice provided was at no cost to you.

If you have the plastic tray with the interlocking plastic clamp only a couple will fit properely. The 3 that I know of are the Volvo one and two different Sears diehards. One being made for international cars. There is also another one thats not for international cars that is a bit cheaper fits ok but not quite as good.

They are on the expensive side, but I've had great luck with the Optima Red and Yellow top batteries. (Red is about 90 dollars, Yellow is more, around 150) They are sealed so they wont leak, and they seem to last forever. (though if yours lasted 8 years... thats pretty good too) I had a yellow top in my Jeep and when I started driving my 245 as my main car, I took it out of the jeep and put it in the volvo and put the volvo battery in the jeep. ;-) They are pretty much the only batteries I'll buy now; however before those came about I think I had diehards, and they were pretty good too, can't comment on the others cause Ive never used them but hope this helps a little. goodluck


-Art
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-1984 245DL 'The yellow Submarine' -1983 244GL... rally car project?