"Steve W." > wrote in :

> sdlomi2 wrote:
>> "Tegger" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "HLS" > wrote in news:W8u5k.5666$89.5244
>>> @nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com:
>>>
>>>> GM side terminals can be a PITA when they get corroded
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> What's the point of side-mount terminals?
>>
>> I'd bet the decision was a joint one between corrosion-proofing
>> AND
>> shipping. Ever notice at battery stores--not Sears, etc., but
>> battery distributors--how they stack the side-post batteries several
>> deep? Don't think they do so with the top posts. s
>>
>>
>
> I asked an Exide rep about it once. he told me it was because of a few
> things. One was hood clearance related, another was that it reduces
> the stress on the cable and terminal and the last was that it was
> safety related (the side terminals are harder to short out with metal
> items).
>
>



I suspect the primary reason is hood clearance, which would have been
of prime importance in the days before the NHTSA created the
"safety" bulging-hood look.

That and shipping costs.


--
Tegger