Delco-Remy 554 DC-12 Battery
The Delco battery installed in the '61 to '63 four-cylinder Pontiac Tempest (only) was a 554 DC-12. This was a smaller battery, known as a group 22F. Its dimensions were 9 inches long by 63/4 inches wide and 9 inches high to the top of the post. It had yellow vent caps with "DELCO" painted black.
Physical Features 554 DC-12 • GM Part No. 1980554 • 1961-1963
The center area is stippled except for a large smooth area that reads "RUBBER SEPARATORS HARD RUBBER CASE DELCO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT LINE."Delco-Remy 458 DC-12 Battery
In 1961, Delco-Remy changed its contract battery to the more familiar DC-12.
Physical Features458 DC-12 • GM Part No. 1980458 • 1961 only
The upper front area of the battery is flat. In the center of the flat area (inside an indentation) is the number 459, which is not visible when installed. This is true even though the battery is a 458. See Frequently Asked Questions for further explanation. In the center of the stippled area in flat lettering reads "DELCO DC-12 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DRY CHARGE." The lower front is a smooth area with a "large" and a "small" indentation. Inside the large indentation reads "STARTING POWER RATINGS
(300 AMPS. AT 0 DEGREES F)
CRANKING MINUTES
1.6 ... VOLTAGE AT
10-SEC. 6.6." Inside the small indentation reads "AMPERE HOUR RATING 53."How To Read Your Battery Date Code
All Delco-Remy tar-top batteries were date-coded with a production date and a battery plant designation.The following letters were used to designate battery plants in date coding:X = New Brunswick, New JerseyT = Muncie, IndianaS = Anaheim, CaliforniaV = Olathe, Kansas
The letters A through M are for month designations:
A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
J = September
K = October
L = November
M = December
(The letter "I" was NOT used.)
Date coding example: 9CT
9 = Year: 1959
C = Month: March
T = Plant: Muncie, Indiana
When the hard-top batteries were produced, a specific day was also added to the date coding.
Date coding example: 7DV 12
7 = Year: 1967
D = Month: April
V = Plant: Olathe, Kansas
12 = 12th day of the month
Most Delco batteries were manufactured about 30 days before they were installed into Pontiacs at the assembly plants.