Battery needs

[Root2812]

I’m building a 1950 with a 5.3L. No AC and pretty much stock except I swapped to the corvette accessory drive and corvette alternator. I want to use my factory frame mounted battery box so I’m limited on physical size. I found a battery that fits and has 650 cold cranking amps. The guy at the store told me the 2000 Silverado the engine came out of calls for 700 cca and I can’t run less without the risk of harming the battery or the truck. I’m curious what all of you are using. I’m looking for an affordable battery not something like ultima.

My truck will have gauges and a radio but not any excessive electronics.

This photo is of the battery I was considering

[LS short box]

I think you would be fine. LS engines have great starters. Make sure you use the stock tin solenoid shield. Not likely you will be starting it in -20 below.

[skyphix]

I'm running a 75/86 with 650cca and it starts and runs my truck just fine with a 5.3. I have minimal electronics as well. I've started the truck down to about 0F with no issue.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

New cars need more battery, amd larger alternators to run all the electronics in the car as a whole. So a larger battery is needed to buffer the transition.

So if your keeping electrics trimmed down your probably going to be fine with battery life. Worst case the battery will just die sooner, and you'll have some warning before it totally dies on you.

Going to a AGM, and keeping the battery as cool as possible can help with total life span. Provided electric draw is the issue with your set up.

[Root2812]

Thanks guys. I was going to buy that 650cca one until the young guy at the counter told me that running it could cause a battery fire and burn my truck down. I guessed that since 700cca was what the 2000 Silverado donor needed my project should be fine at 650cca but because I don’t know jack about it I wanted to ask all of you first. Better to be safe than sorry.

I really will be bare bones on electronics. I’ll have the typical stuff the 1950 truck had like lights and a heater but other than that all I’m going to add is a radio and nice speakers, no subs.

I apreaciate the info and opinions.

[LS short box]

A battery fire? What might cause that? Most LS alternators are around 130 amps so the alternator is "topping off" the battery as you are driving around. I'd talk to a local repair shop that you trust and get their opinion.

[gmc684x4]

At -40 my 68 would start with a 650 cca battery
No ac
No electric fans
No big thumper stereo
Size the alt wire to the battery to the size needs of your alt size needs longer wire will need to be sized a bit bigger

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/m.roadki...uge-chart/amp/

[Root2812]

I ended up finding an 86 series with 690CCA so I think I should be all set. Thanks for all the help.

[truckdude239]

mines a 650 cc only thing i have besides ls is electric fans and a radio havent had any issuses