Current battery in my 66 is 3-4 years old, but has suffered some abuse by the car sitting idle for long periods of time. Starts the engine fine in the summers but once it gets cold it wimps out on me quite regularily.. have had to plug it into the charger every week the past month or so. It's one of those "sealed" ones so I can't add any water to it, though really I'm not all clear how much it would help.
Everything else about my charging system checks out.. good brushes, alternator puts out good charging voltage, and I cleaned all contacts and replaced several wires this past summer.
So I figure I'll replace the battery. Push starting is good exercise but not a lot of fun. Doesn't work in the snow either, the tires just slide. ;)
Scouring the group archives, I've seen people reccomend 50 amp/hours batteries with a 350-400 CCA. The one in the car doesn't list amps, but does list a 580 CCA, 725 cranking at 32F. Is this "too much" battery? Is it creating any additional wear or risk of problems with the car's electrical system?
The battery also lists a "90 reserve charge". What does that mean?