<VV> Battery Explosion

[Bill Hubbell]

I was in the final stages of getting my 1964 Stock Sedan ("Alice") ready to
go to the Corvette Musuem this morning.  I had pushed the car out into the
driveway to do some last minute items and having finished I got in the car
to start it up and back it into the garage.  The minute I turned the key
there was a loud "BANG", kind of like a backfire.  Of course, the car went
dead.  I immediately got out and opened the engine compartment to discover
that the battery had exploded.  I suppose that after 10 years it was due to
fail, but I had always kept it well maintained and on a battery tender, so
this was a bit of a surprise, to say the least.

I spent the next couple hours removing the battery and all the pieces that
were blown into the engine compartment, then neutralizing the acid by
flushing with water and baking soda.  Even though it blew right into the
main electrical harness it looks like there will be no damage to the car
other than the battery and a couple of stained plastic parts.

I count myself lucky that this happened at home in my driveway instead of
when I was on the road, such as this past summer.

Bill Hubbell
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