Has anyone been successful at finding a battery that fits plus has no vents out the top or out the sides?  I would think the old Datsun sheet metal would like that.

Sure, I went to sealed gel mat batteries years ago.  No venting required with the right models.

https://northeastbattery.com/battery-101-pros-cons-gel-mat-battery/ 

 

I make my own hold down brackets.  With a few bucks in metal from HD, and some work, I made this style hold down.  They work great on Optima batteries, but the design can be tweaked to fit most batteries.  I used some velcro as a pad where the bracket touches the battery.  Somewhere on this site I even put a CAD drawing many years ago.

EDIT: Here is the link 

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 20204 yr by Jeff G 78

4 hours ago, 87mj said:

Has anyone been successful at finding a battery that fits plus has no vents out the top or out the sides?  I would think the old Datsun sheet metal would like that.

I have been using a DieHard Gold Group 24 battery (same terminal location as OEM) that has top vents but is flat on top and works with the stock cover. Like @Pilgrim mentioned to have no vents you would have to go to a gel battery.

I used to swap multiple different batteries into my Z and never had a problem.  I wonder if he installed the tray upside down, or maybe a PO "fixed" a rusted out shelf, too high.  Could happen.  

2 hours ago, Jeff G 78 said:

1/06.  I hope that's an old picture.  Or maybe you get some serious time from your batteries.  Congratulations.

3 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

1/06.  I hope that's an old picture.  Or maybe you get some serious time from your batteries.  Congratulations.

LOL.  The pic was taken in mid-2006