I have a question about batteries for a 57'. At the moment, I am completely missing a Battery for my rig and was wondering what suggestions you all might have for one.

I am open to putting a non original battery on it as right now, I want to test how well the engine runs.

I figured I would ask you all as you have the most experience with these old beasts. lol

 

I am totally unaware of what group size is recommended for the 57 with a V8. Im sure others here will know right off what battery group was called for originally.

 

By '57 they had switched to a 12 volt system, maybe group 29?

For test purposes just about anything will be OK, but are you running a generator or alternator? One thing to keep in mind, one of the big differences with a generator, the ignition and lights will utilize battery power at idle RPM and so the battery needs to have some pretty healthy capacity behind it. I'd think 650 CCA and above would be fine in any case.

 

Off of the top of my head, I believe that mine is a Generator, though right now I honestly don't remember...? I'm not at home so when I get back I'll have to look.

That's good to know though as I really just want to try to see if it'll fire up before fixing anything else on it. lol

 

You want an alternator, I'm thinking.