Pretty sure I could turn the van over and shake it and that battery would stay in place.   Just sayin'. 

Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus

On Nov 15, 2011, at 12:41 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> That is an option.  When I bought my van, it had a smaller battery than the original.  In fact, the thing was pretty easy to get in and out, as it was only about 2/3 the length and 4/5 the width of the factory battery.  The clamp was in the compartment, wrapped in newspaper.  I found a way to clamp the too small battery in place, using the original clamp.  When I replaced that battery with the proper one, I fitted the clamp as I explained in my earlier reply to this thread.
> 
> Should an accident occur, something like a rollover, what happens to an unsecured battery?  To me, the clamp was an engineer's response to an obvious hazard.  I don't know of any vehicle without a clamp for the battery.
> 
> mcneely
> 
> ---- Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM> wrote: 
>> Leave it off?  Mine's been off since 1988.
>> 
>> Karl Wolz
>> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
>> 
>> On Nov 15, 2011, at 11:36 AM, Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi Folks,
>>> 
>>> I have 91 Westy 2.1 2 wheel drive that I just replaced the starting battery
>>> this last weekend.
>>> Unfortunately, I cannot get the dang hold down clamp back in there with
>>> it.   I tried shoving it
>>> around the edge but it just won't go.   Any suggestions?
>>> 
>>> Steven
>>> 91 Westy
> 
> --
> David McNeely