This was the introduction of Delco-Remy's first polypropylene (plastic) case. By 1977, all Delco assembly-line contract batteries were constructed with them. The biggest advantage was that the case walls and the partition were much thinner, allowing an even larger increase in active plate materials and, accordingly, a much higher battery cranking power. Weight was an additional advantage of the polypropylene case. The R89S (hard-rubber case) weighs 34 pounds, holds four quarts of acid, has 13 plates per cell and has 420 cold cranking amps (CCA) at 0 degrees. In comparison, the R89W (polypropylene case) weighs only 32 pounds, holds 4.8 quarts of acid, has 15 plates per cell and has 465 CCA at 0 degrees.
The R89W has a distinctive appearance, and was very different in cosmetics from previous Delco Energizer batteries. Its entire top cover and case surface are wrinkled, resembling elephant skin. The R89W still uses the five Delco half-circle vent caps and the Delco Eye vent cap. The case has vertical lines (they're actually small indentations) spaced approximately 1.5 inches apart on all four sides.
Physical Features
Model E5000 R89W • GM Part No. 1980150 • 1971-1975 (Heavy-Duty)
On the front, centered between the positive and negative posts, is a plate that reads: "E5000 R89W." The top reads: "Delco Energizer." On the right side is a 3-inch plate approximately 2.75 inches from the top that reads:"Cranking Power At 0-degrees 3750 Watts." A 5-inch plate approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom reads: "DELCO-REMY. Anderson, indiana. Made in USA." On the left side, there's also a 5-inch plate approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom that reads: "Delco-Remy. Anderson, indiana. Made in USA."Other Batteries Of The ERA
From 1973-1975, Delco-Remy also produced a Y87 side-terminal battery for the six-cylinder Firebird and LeMans. It measured 9.125 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 8.75 inches tall, and is categorized as a Group 72 battery. It offered 310 CCA power at 0 degrees.
Another Delco-Remy battery is the C89, Pontiac's very first maintenance-free battery, which is listed in factory literature as a Group 74, sealed-case, side-terminal battery. It featured 3,750 watts of cranking power at 0 degrees, 80 amp hours and was the standard battery for the '71 SJ 455.
Factory literature also mentions: Y54, R58 side-terminal (ST), R58S, Y58, Y86, R87 (ST), R87P (ST), R87PA (ST), R88 (ST), R88S (ST), R88W (ST) R88X (ST), Y88 (ST), R89SP (ST), R89WP (ST) R89X (ST) and the Y89 (ST) batteries. Each of these variants carry the same size dimensions as its family group number-for example, all batteries with an "89" in their model number are Group 74 batteries. There are probably more variant model numbers for different years/models that we weren't able to identify. None of these batteries are currently reproduced.
Conclusion
In this guide, we've attempted to list all versions of the contract batteries installed into Pontiacs from the factory during the '55-'75 period. However, anomalies are bound to exist. When using this guide against your original owner's manual, it's best to understand the owner's manual lists the preferred replacement battery for your vehicle at the time of its printing. Many owner's and service manuals received revised printings throughout the model year, so it is possible that two or more replacement batteries are recommended by the factory for your Pontiac.
If for some reason your battery was replaced when the car was new, there's a strong likelihood that its service replacement battery wasn't the same model number as what was installed at the factory. There may also be typographical errors within factory manuals. Please see the sidebar by Pontiac Historian John Sawruk on how the hobby addresses these concerns when judging your Pontiac at a national event.