R59 Energizer batteries were the same size as the Group 24 tar-top batteries, but with a modernized look. With the new R59 Energizer batteries, Delco replaced the stippling on the sides with its trademark-a grid of Delco half-circles that resembled a broken circle. The R59 Energizer batteries had push-in instead of screw-in vent caps. Five of the six vent caps were black with the two half-circles painted in red. The sixth vent cap was a Delco Eye, with those words painted in red. This cap had a clear plastic center that extended into the battery electrolytes (acid) and was designed to allow a battery owner to look down into the battery and, with maintenance, keep it at the correct fluid level. If the "eye" was dark, the battery had the correct level of fluid; when it was clear, distilled water was needed. (Remember, electrolytes (acid) are only added to a new battery-use distilled water only after use.) Also unique for the R59 was Delco-Remy's first use of a decal.
Physical Features
Model No. E5000 R59 • GM Part No. 1980030 • 1966-1972
The decal (Part No. 1971747) is 2.5 inches long and 0.625-inch wide. It's positioned on the top cover between the negative and positive posts and is black with silver-gray type that reads: "Recommended Replacement With Energizer R59." On the front and back, a small plate, offset to the right, reads: "E5000 R59." The top of the battery reads: "Delco Energizer." The bottom of the right side, in a small indentation, reads: "Cranking Power At 0 2900 Watts." The bottom of the left side, in a small indentation, reads: "Delco-Remy. Anderson, indiana. Made in USA."The R59S is a heavy-duty version of the R59 that was offered under various RPO codes. It features 3,250 watts of cranking power at 0 degrees.
Delco-Remy R79/R79S/R89/r89S Energizer
In 1969, Delco-Remy introduced the Group 74 side-terminal battery. Its dimensions are 10.25 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 8.75 inches high (to the top cover). Because of its concern that owners wouldn't be able to tell the "sealed-post" positive terminal from the negative, Delco-Remy installed a 5/16-inch thread into the negative terminal and a 3/8-inch thread into the positive terminal so they couldn't be reversed. It's unknown exactly when this "safety" thread feature was discontinued, but most likely by the '71 model year. Today, all reproduction versions of the R89S and R89W batteries feature 3/8-inch thread on both the positive and negative terminals.
The R79S was offered for one year only-1970-and was superseded by the R89S. R79, R79S, and R89 batteries aren't currently reproduced. R79S batteries were installed in '70 Pontiacs with the 455 engine and the R89S was used in '71-'72 Pontiacs with the 455, and in many Pontiac V-8 applications from '73 to '75. The R89S is a hard-top battery, too, very similar in appearance to the R59, except for its side terminals. The R89S case was also constructed of hard rubber, with polyvinyl chloride separators and the cells were connected through the partitions. The R89S still used the five Delco half-circle vent caps and the Delco Eye.
Physical Features
Model E5000 R89S • GM Part No. 1980147 • 1971-1975
The Delco half-circles are still on the sides. On the front, centered in an indentation between the positive and negative posts, is "E5000 R89S." The top reads: "Delco Energizer." On the bottom of the right side, a small plate reads: "Cranking Power At 0 3250 Watts." The bottom of the left side, in a small indentation, reads: "Delco-Remy. Anderson, indiana. Made in usa." The R89S also used a black and silver decal that reads: "Recommended Replacement With Energizer R89S."Delco-Remy R89W Energizer
A heavy-duty version of the R89-series battery was called the R89W and was ordered with RPO code T60 (1971-1973) or UA1 (1974-1975).