I have a top-post optima...which is not addressed in archive or coyote's site.  I had to cut about 1/2" off of the posts to get it in.  Still tight, so I cut notches in the remenants of the bracket.  Now it goes in fine.  It is ok to cut the
posts, according to Optima rep (unoffically).  BUT, if you do, you must heat the posts up after trimming them till the lead at the top just begins to melt.  The posts have an internal post that is fused to the lead outer-post.  When you cut
them, the two can seperate after a bit from vibration...mine did and optimus gave me a new battery.  Then they found the problem and told me how to fix it.  Heating the lead till it begins to melt re-fuses the inner-outer posts.  No problems
in 6 months.  If you cut notches first, you may not have to cut the posts.
steve

Michael Sullivan wrote:

> At 01:06 AM 6/12/98 -0500, Budd Premack wrote:
> >BTW, Jim Davis has indicated that the Optima battery can be safely side
> >mounted, so there is no need to cut off the top posts.
>
> He may have indicated it, but I was unable to get the Optima to fit in my 87 Westy anyway but rightside up, even though I had cut the bracket to make more room. And beleive me I TRIED REALLY HARD to get it to mount sideways, to no avail.
>
> I finally gave up, drilled two holes in the cover and carpet and I'm done and happy. Perhaps there are subtle differences in years that would allow certain models of Vanagon to allow the Optima to be mounted sideways -- just not mine.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Michael J. Sullivan
> Director of Catalog Design
> Open Market, Inc.
>
> '87 GL Syncro Westfalia
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