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  #16  
Old 12-10-2005, 06:44 PM
mac2's Avatar
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Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 227
We've always used Les Schwab batteries in our cars and gotten good performance out of them. Secondly they come with a 2 year free replacement warranty (so if you're going to replace it every year it's rather cheap to do) The one I have in my car holds up to 2 minutes of cranking (in spurts, ask me how I know this )

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'84 190d 2.2 - Silver
Converted to 5-Speed
'84 190d 2.2 - Blue
Factory 5-Speed

'76 300D (W115)
Sold, found again in less auspicious circumstances
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  #17  
Old 12-10-2005, 07:40 PM
Brandon314159
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The battery that I took out was a Les Schwab however I think the reason it died was becuase it was dead for the first few months of its life...and it just never recovered.

I would return it but it was the PO that purchased it, no recepit, and I don't really want another one (Not a big fan of schawwbies)
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  #18  
Old 12-10-2005, 10:39 PM
DieselBone's Avatar
for the glory.....
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Posts: 355
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon314159
Yep just went and scored one up at autozone. 69.99 + 8.00 core...

I got my core back by giving them the ancient battery out of our van

I enter the store and head towards the batteries,

"Welcome to autozone...can I help you with something?"
"No. I am just looking at a battery."
"Okay well how may I help you?"
"I'll be over here...I know the one I need"

As I pick through batteries garnishing a tape measure to double check.

"May I interest you in some felt disks to prevent corrosion?"
"No. I do not have a corrosion problem and never have."
"Still with an investment into a new battery it is recommended that you replace the felt disks."
"No thank you.

I get my core out of the car and flop it on the counter

"This isn't the same size battery..."
"I know...its out of something else"
"What year car do you have? Model? Etc.?"

I give him all that jazz.

"Well it looks like Group 49." Looks at battery "Yep it looks like you picked up a 49 off the shelf."
"Yeah"

I checkout and then the alarm goes off from me walking out the door with a non-deactivated theft tag. I just kept on walking.

Idiots.

If I have sense enough to get the exact battery I need off the shelf and brought a core WITH me...ya think you need to question my purchases?

We'll see how it starts later when it gets cold outside.

Take it easy, he was just doing his job. If you think they're so dumb, don't go back.
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-Randy Wakefield

1969 220D 4 speed (parts car)
1976 280C
1976 280S
1981 240D 4 speed (parts car)
1982 300D
1983 300TD (Ivory)
1983 300TD (gold)
1985 300TD (gray)
1987 190D 2.5
1970 280SEL (sold)
1977 240D 4 speed (sold)
1974 280 (rusted to death)
---
1927 Chevy 4 door sedan
1938 Chevy 2 door sedan
1950 Willys Jeepster
1955 Studebaker President 4 door
1977 Ford F250
1979 Glastron 17'
1948 John Deere A
1960 John Deere 2010
1979 Satoh S650G
--
2000 Bichon (Doby)
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  #19  
Old 12-10-2005, 10:44 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 338
Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry edwards
... how's that motorhome with the Cat 3208 coming along? I'm looking at one myself with that same engine.

Don't get a Rattlepillar!!!

They are a COMPLETE pos!!!

I can explain if you would like me to!
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2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :
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  #20  
Old 12-10-2005, 11:35 PM
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Location: Geographically challenged on the S.W shores of Lake Michigan in S,E Wisconsin
Posts: 1,160
its all thewy are trained to do. happy cust serv. my son works at a radio shack. try returning something vcr related a few days after buying it. good luck!! people actually say 'oh i bought this to watch a tape and now i don't need it any longer."


grp 49 huh? i will log that in.

the energizer in the basement has 1000cca. don't know what store it came from.
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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem
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  #21  
Old 12-11-2005, 04:30 AM
Brandon314159
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I consider good customer service being able to take the hint when someone knows exactly what battery their car needs, has a core prepared, and isn't waiting around for some foam disks.

When I worked in auto electric, if you came in and seemed like you new your stuff or more than me...the BS gets shut off.

I know they are doing their job, but some autozone employes here have a nice string of being "salesman"...which doesn't jive with me unless I ask. I wouldn't go there without a purpose in mind But I guess that guy taller than you, dressed more like a mechanic than you, pulling out a tape measure to double check his battery doesn't know about them there fancy felt disks!

Also the battery is working great!
I am going to let it get real chilly tomorrow and try it out with no block heater. So far it wings things right over

BTW in the world of those eletronically savvy, its "Radioshack...we've got questions, you've got answers" (My local one is an example...whats a resistor?) LOL
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  #22  
Old 12-11-2005, 09:37 AM
Craig
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5W40 Mobil 1 = Huge Difference

As others have said, using a good synthetic oil makes a big difference in cold starting. Yesterday I changed my oil. I replaced 10W40 dino with 5W40 Mobil 1 Truck & SUV (same as Delvac 5W40, I believe), and the difference was impressive. My 300D has been starting hard (cranking slow) ever sense the temperatures dropped. For example, yesterday morning (about +20F) it just wouldn't crank fast enough to catch. I ended up jumping it, and it still took a lot of cranking to get going. This morning (about the same temperature) it cranked over like summer and started right away. My battery and starter are both less than one year old and the GPs are all good. I am overdue for a valve adjustment, to be done soon.
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  #23  
Old 12-11-2005, 10:01 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon314159
BTW in the world of those eletronically savvy, its "Radioshack...we've got questions, you've got answers" (My local one is an example...whats a resistor?) LOL
Come on Brandon, that's not their philosophy at Radio Shack whatsoever.

It's far closer to:

You've got questions......................we don't know $hit.
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  #24  
Old 12-11-2005, 10:36 AM
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Location: PA
Posts: 5,440
Guys and Girls,

FYI

Although I recommend the AZ battery 49 for MB, Walmart has good deals on other size batteries. WM doesn't sell size 49 batteries.

I got a group 24 for my Chevy truck at WM for ~$58. Its 1000CA, 875CCA , 3 year free replacement and 9 year prorated warranty. That's hard to beat. The battery also came with top and side terminals which is useful to me because my truck has a combination of both terminals. With all the extra wires for the 2 battery parallel connections and the extra wires for the plow lift motor, the side (GM mark of excellence LOL) terminals just don't hold up.

P E H
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  #25  
Old 12-11-2005, 11:11 AM
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Posts: 18,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by 240Demon
Don't get a Rattlepillar!!!

They are a COMPLETE pos!!!

I can explain if you would like me to!
Nick:
Please elaborate, in light of the fact that in the vintage and price range I am considering, the alternative is almost always a Detroit 8.2.

Kerry
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #26  
Old 12-11-2005, 11:15 AM
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Location: Milford, CT
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The 3208's are fine engines. Just as long as you don't get one that was pushed past say 400hp. The turbo charged, blown, ect ones that were rated at 485 or so wouldn't last. Not surprising that considering in its original NA form it was rated at about 210.

3208's are considered to be throw away engines, because they are not wet sleeve. They are better then the 8.2's though.

I know of a 3208 in a nice Duffy that pretty much spends its time going up and down the coast. I think they have pretty damn close to 10k hours on that engine, the owners are anal about oil changes with only official Cat oil and filters. But it seems to be working for them.
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  #27  
Old 12-11-2005, 11:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
The 3208's are fine engines. Just as long as you don't get one that was pushed past say 400hp. The turbo charged, blown, ect ones that were rated at 485 or so wouldn't last. Not surprising that considering in its original NA form it was rated at about 210.

3208's are considered to be throw away engines, because they are not wet sleeve. They are better then the 8.2's though.

I know of a 3208 in a nice Duffy that pretty much spends its time going up and down the coast. I think they have pretty damn close to 10k hours on that engine, the owners are anal about oil changes with only official Cat oil and filters. But it seems to be working for them.
Thanks. The one I'm looking at is an 1984 Foretravel. It's a turbo 250hp with 36k miles. I'm thinking it should have a lot of life left in it and at 250hp it should be well within its comfort range.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #28  
Old 12-11-2005, 11:33 AM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
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Location: Milford, CT
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Yeah time will become more of an issue then mileage.

How big the the moter home? That thing may be a dog in the mountian's. My uncle has one with a 450hp Cat that seems to bo well pulling his VW. But the VW is pretty light.
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  #29  
Old 12-11-2005, 11:49 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
Yeah time will become more of an issue then mileage.

How big the the moter home? That thing may be a dog in the mountian's. My uncle has one with a 450hp Cat that seems to bo well pulling his VW. But the VW is pretty light.
36 or possibly 38, I'm not sure. I think the turbo should help in the mountains, particularly when compared to the 454 or 460 gassers that are often put in similar sized models. I don't care that much about speed, more about reliability and longevity, although I'd never consider an NA over a turbo at this altitude after my experiences with my 617's. I know they put NA versions of the Detroit 8.2, the 3208 and Cummins 555 in similar models. If people drove the NA versions, then the turbo'd ones can't be all that bad.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #30  
Old 12-11-2005, 01:56 PM
Brandon314159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton
You've got questions......................we don't know $hit.
So true...but they can sell you a cell phone!!!!!!


*sigh*

I wouldn't buy a battery at wally world...A lot of people around here (including myself) choose not to shop there for moral reasons.

Also I like buying batteries that have been on rotated stock..not just sitting. Not sure what walmart does but other chain stores (like Fred Meyers, etc) like to just leave em sit on the shelf and if you happen to hit up a slow store...you might get a dead battery

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