I cannot seem to find the right battery for my 71 EC. 350 engine. I foolishly let my Interstate battery dealer have the Die_hard that I wanted to replace and he got rid of it. He has come up with 3 different batteries and none fit properly. The battery should have top posts and it has indentations on the front and back bottom to clamp it down. the batteries he comes up with do not clamp properly. I called Sears and they say the # for the Die-Hard has changed., it is a group 34 but an Interstate 34 does not fit. Help, Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purchase a OPTMUM Battery at Costco-this battery is a gell cell battery and it has a size for your car. Measure your battery box-lxwxh. I have them in my cars and boat. graemlins/beers.gif

Ken,
I have a group size 78 interstate battery.Fits perfect.Its a little tight getting it in with a HD radiator but still fits.

A group 78 is a side post battery (unless it is a chepo generic-stay away from dual post batteries). A group 34 is the standard top post battery, I'm sure that is what you had originally. The problem is probably not with the group size but with Interstates case. Try a different brand (Optima) battery.

Originally posted by dennis68:
A group 78 is a side post battery A 71 El Camino had side post battery as OE equipment.IMO it makes for a cleaner looking application.

So it seems Ken's problem is not with the battery but that he is trying to fit a battery in his truck that doesn't belong there.

Dennis,
I'm not sure what or why he is even having a problem.There should be plenty of room.Here is a picture of a dual post battery that I use as a backup.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/71350ss/motor.JPG
This is a big dual post group 78 battery that fits just fine.Just pretend you don't see the bungie cord hold down :D its an old pic.I recently replaced the inner fender panel and put in a new bat tray but the fitment is the same.

Nothing wrong with duel post batteries, that's all I ever buy.
The top posts sure come in handy.
(that is unless you are trying to keep the original look)

Usually the dual post batteries are the manufacters attempt to keep production costs down. The "lesser" expensive batteries are pretty notorious for this-makes them easy to spot. Interstate is by far the best battery available (decades of expeience warrantying batteries) and do not have any dual post batteries.

Many batteries are not case configured exactly to each OEM specs so while one group 34 might fit, another will not. His problem is not with phisical case size but with case shape toward the bottom. His new battery does not have the nesessary cut out to fit the bottom retainer.

I think the interstate guy is just giving him a bat he THINKS may fit.I know a interstate group 78 will fit.Give me a day or so and I'll find a top post battery that fits.