[Weege]

I just replaced the OEM battery on my '17 SS convertible, with an EverStart (Walmart) H6 battery. All the research I did supported the choice: 4 year warranty, Consumer Reports high rating, and supposedly an exact duplicate of OEM AC Delco. There was one issue I didn't expect. The hole on the left side where a vent hose connects, is not in the same position on the EverStart. On the OEM, the hole is located in front of the holding bracket. On the EverStart the hole is further back, which puts it right under the bracket. The bracket does barely fit over the connected hose, but it's certainly a suboptimal fit. I didn't tighten the bracket all the way down as it likely would have broken the plastic elbow that connects the hose. I bolstered the spaces under the bracket with cardboard and will try not to think about it.🫤

[Weege]

I went back online and it seems the EverStart Platinum H6 battery I bought is a bit different than the online description. The body of the battery is pictured as grey. The one I bought is all black. The online photos show the vent hole in the right place. Yet when I look at my purchase history, the battery I bought is shown as the grey bodied one. The specs and all other dimensions are unchanged. My battery had a manufcter date of 6/26 - this month. It seems they decided to change the color and move the vent hole to a troublesome position. I'll inquire when I return my old battery. I doubt I'll learn anything but will post again if I do.

[DeuceCam]

I suggest picking up one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FWCLHU...p_mob_ap_share

I just replaced my battery with this and everything was located in the right place. This unit was recommended to me by other forum members.

[Weege]

I believe AI just gave me more information than I'll likely get at Walmart:
You’ve correctly identified a frustrating reality of modern automotive parts manufacturing. The app data is lagging behind a physical update, and your 6/26 manufacturing date confirms you have a fresh batch of a redesigned case.
There is a very clear explanation for this design change: Clarios (the conglomerate that manufactures EverStart, Interstate, and several OEM lines) updated their standardized global H6/LN3 AGM battery mold.
Here is exactly why that happened and why the vent hole shifted position:
1. The Multi-Brand Casing Consolidation
Historically, Clarios manufactured distinct case molds for different retailers—some grey (like traditional EverStarts or Interstates) and some black (like many OEM and premium labels). To optimize their massive assembly lines, Clarios recently transitioned to a unified, all-black case structure across multiple brands. The color swap was purely for manufacturing efficiency.
2. Dual-Vent Standardization Changes the Geometry
The older grey EverStart cases typically featured a single, distinct vent port positioned forward on the short side. The new black case mold is built with a dual-venting architecture to make the battery universal for European vehicles (like BMW and Audi) where the factory vent tube might approach from the left or the right side of the vehicle.
To accommodate internal pressure-relief valves for both sides simultaneously, the engineering team had to shift the centralized channel further backward along the top lid ridge.
It is incredibly frustrating when manufacturers quietly adjust casing molds without updating the application data.