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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / OPTIMA BATTERY ?

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Posted By Discussion Topic: OPTIMA BATTERY ? -- page: 1 2     37 Coupe 08-10-2012 @ 11:36 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 362 Joined: Oct 2009 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. joe b 08-10-2012 @ 11:10 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 389 Joined: Oct 2010 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 MG 08-10-2012 @ 11:01 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1263 Joined: Nov 2009 tudorbilll, What are the measurements of that VW battery? Munufacturer and Part #??? tudorbilll 08-10-2012 @ 10:10 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 108 Joined: Oct 2009 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 supereal 08-10-2012 @ 9:49 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 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. 37 Coupe 08-10-2012 @ 6:30 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 362 Joined: Oct 2009 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 ford38v8 08-09-2012 @ 9:15 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2795 Joined: Oct 2009 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 TomO 08-09-2012 @ 8:13 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7276 Joined: Oct 2009 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 supereal 08-09-2012 @ 8:04 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 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 Oldad 08-09-2012 @ 7:43 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 111 Joined: May 2012 Suggest you try batteriesplus.com, see if they have a store near you, and give them the dimensions you need.

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