| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 08-08-2012 @ 5:56 PM |
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I need to change my battery,I have used reg batteries for the last 36 years, and was thinking about using a 6 VOLT OPTIMA, I see that JEGGS, sells them on E-BAY,with free shipping,a lot cheaper then the stores in MAINE, wanted to know what part number would work in a 1937, I have a few old original type battery cases, and wanted to install the OPTIMA in one of them, I am using a 6 volt alt, by CERTIFIED AUTO ELEC, MANY THANKS for your opinion, KEEP ON FORDIN, 37RAGTOPMAN
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| kubes40 | -- 08-08-2012 @ 6:35 PM |
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The Optima will not fit in your Ford battery case. The authentic case is too short.
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| mdurhan | -- 08-08-2012 @ 6:58 PM |
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Delete. This message was edited by mdurhan on 8-8-12 @ 7:02 PM
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| mdurhan | -- 08-08-2012 @ 6:59 PM |
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Why did it post 3 times? Who knows????? There are more "barn finds" than barns. This message was edited by mdurhan on 8-8-12 @ 7:04 PM
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| mdurhan | -- 08-08-2012 @ 7:00 PM |
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Kubes40 is right. The Optima will stick out the bottom of the old case about 1-1/4". Might I suggest you just use a Ford script 2LF battery. They last a long time if you buy and keep them on a $19.95 Battery Tender. I have several 6-volts that are over 5-years old. In fact, I have never lost a 6V battery that was kept on a Battery Tender and had its fluid levels kept up. Mucha Volta, Miguel There are more "barn finds" than barns.
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| supereal | -- 08-08-2012 @ 9:33 PM |
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The six volt Optima comes in only one size. As noted above, it is too tall to fit a regular battery case. I have one in my '47, and I made a tray to hold the bottom of the case, accommodate the extra height, and still use the stock hold down bracket. Painted black, it is almost invisible.
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| MG | -- 08-08-2012 @ 9:37 PM |
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@mdurhan. What are your sources for a Group 2L Battery?
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| Oldad | -- 08-09-2012 @ 7:29 AM |
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I bought mine at a Batteries Plus, Franchise Store. The battery will fit in the battery space for a 1937 Ford, the top hold down bracket will fit but since it is a taller battery the regular hold down bolts are too short. On a '37 the hold down bolts have a dog leg offset. I bought some carriage bolts and bent them to fit. There was also room under the hood to fit in a blade disconnect to protect against electrical fires when you are not around. I don't know how this battery will do on the show circuit. My car is a driver and I like the significant increase in CCA.
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| Oldad | -- 08-09-2012 @ 7:29 AM |
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I bought mine at a Batteries Plus, Franchise Store. The battery will fit in the battery space for a 1937 Ford, the top hold down bracket will fit but since it is a taller battery the regular hold down bolts are too short. On a '37 the hold down bolts have a dog leg offset. I bought some carriage bolts and bent them to fit. There was also room under the hood to fit in a blade disconnect to protect against electrical fires when you are not around. I don't know how this battery will do on the show circuit. My car is a driver and I like the significant increase in CCA.
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| Oldad | -- 08-09-2012 @ 7:43 AM |
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Suggest you try batteriesplus.com, see if they have a store near you, and give them the dimensions you need.
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| supereal | -- 08-09-2012 @ 8:04 AM |
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Our shop is an Interstate Battery dealer, and they are nationwide. Usually, you have to order the Optima, but the price is better than most. This message was edited by supereal on 8-9-12 @ 8:54 AM
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| TomO | -- 08-09-2012 @ 8:13 AM |
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The Optima is approximately 5/8" taller than the stock Ford 2LF battery. The reproduction script batteries are also growing in height. Installing an Optima in your 37 battery case, would require modifying the battery tray. You can mount the Optima in any position, so you could either make a case for it to fit in your battery tray or mount it on the frame near the starter. Tom
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| ford38v8 | -- 08-09-2012 @ 9:15 AM |
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TomO is correct in his math. The new Optima is 5/8" taller tha the old one, and will not allow the use of the original hold down on a '37-'39 Standard due to the horizontal bolt-through the dash. As Oldad stated, the dog-leg bolts can be extended, and an aftermarket hold down used that has no bolt-through. Modifying the battery tray would be a radical solution, but some guys might do that for the metalwork practice anyway. Alan
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| 37 Coupe | -- 08-10-2012 @ 6:30 AM |
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If you are really determined to use an Optima battery in a 1937 Ford script battery box it is possible with some comprimises. I bought this box from Antique Auto Battery here in Ohio with the tall Optima installed in it. I think when the Optimas first grew taller they modified the bottom of the box for the battery to stick out and I disguised it with a 1/2 ' or so piece of foam rubber at bottom of the battery shelf. I do not think they do this anymore and when I had a problem with the Optima melting down for a better word they would not respond to me. I bought a new 6 volt Optima from Amazon,it was free shipping and just a little over $100.00 late last fall. I was able to gingerly remove the epoxy or whatever Antique Auto Battery used to secure battery and place new one in box. The boxes and tops are a very fragile material and you have to be carefull. I did crack my old top. I wish someone would make a good black plastic poly type script case. I think the issues with Antique Auto Battery was they soldered on terminal "extensions" to reach through top of case and this heat or melting caused a leakage or shortage in some of the Optima terminals,again they would not respond. Anyway if you really want an Optima in a Ford script case you can do it without altering the hold down,or use the taller ones and extend the top hold down bolt through firewall. Forgot to mention one thing,taller means the two holdown bolts that 37 Ford uses are too short,think either Roy Nacewicz or Jay Temple made special longer ones for me. This message was edited by 37 Coupe on 8-10-12 @ 6:34 AM
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| supereal | -- 08-10-2012 @ 9:49 AM |
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If any battery melts down, it was directly shorted. A common place is between the cable clamps to the battery posts and the hold down bracket. Regardless of the type of battery you choose, investing in an on-pole cutoff switch is a very good idea. They are cheap, and can save your vehicle. Most old wiring is fragile, and a slight short can cause a fire. As to the Optima, they must be slowly charged. Use of a quick charger will destroy the glass mat batteries.
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| tudorbilll | -- 08-10-2012 @ 10:10 AM |
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Might try a farm store!In washington we an outlet called budget battery.They stock a 6 volt VW battery that fits in the floor of my 35 starts the car just fine even on a prolong crank
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| MG | -- 08-10-2012 @ 11:01 AM |
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tudorbilll, What are the measurements of that VW battery? Munufacturer and Part #???
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| joe b | -- 08-10-2012 @ 11:10 AM |
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In addition to Super's advice on a battery cut out switch I bought a battery maintainer charger for $15.00 and use it while the car is in winter storage. My '41 is in an unheated garage in Ohio. My battery has lasted for 6 years which is the most I have gotten from a 6 volt battery.Both are worth the money
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| 37 Coupe | -- 08-10-2012 @ 11:36 AM |
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In my earlier post I probably shouldn't have used the term "melt down" describing my Optima 6 volt battery that I originally bought from Antique Battery in Hudson Ohio. The meltdown I mentioned was clearly from the adaptation that Antique Auto Battery performs to make an Optima work inside a script case and also probably the reason they do not do this anymore,not because their claim that it is because of the taller size,mine was the taller Optima. Again what they did was mold terminal post extensions on top of the original Optima post as the top they use is to thick and original post do not stick out enough for a cable clamp to fit tapers. Problems on mine were excess lead and heat from the moulding process melted top of the Optima plastic case and these do have acid in them or gell or whatever because the stuff was coming out into the script case. I cannot imagine an Optima guarantee would still be in effect with the alteration/ damage. This is probably why Antique Auto Battery went to great lengths with the epoxy to make sure inquisitive minds and hands like mine try to open them up to put another one in.
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