It Ain't that pretty but it works!

stangblue

stangblue

Senior Member
I had a 6V tar top battery in my 34 and it constantly leaked (sweated) battery acid from the top down the sides and started to corrode my battery carrier. After refinishing the carrier. I purchased an Optima 6V battery, now to make it fit my original battery carrier. Looking around the shop and shed here is what I arrived at. Fit nicely, secure and inexspensive as well with little time and effort. My 6V tar top battery manufactured by Turbo Start with the Ford logo on the side Dimensions are 10 1/2" L X 7" H X 7"W. From the bottom of the case to the top of the posts it is 8"H. The Optima battery dimensions are 10"w X 6 7/8 H X 3 1/2" W from the bottom of the case to the top of the post 7 13/16" H . The high density styrofoam I used is a 1/4' thick
 

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Hi stangblue, Thanks for sharing with us. It looks interesting.

About the strap around the battery, does it do more than make a handle?

Photo #1 shows the installation from above, can you share any shots from below, and side-below.

Isn't this battery about an inch taller than the stock, making the posts interfere with (short on) the battery compartment cover?

Curious if the above is true, how your rig lowers the battery or if you have another solution or if I'm clueless again?!?
 
Jeff, The battery strap is there for easy removal of battery and encasement in and out of the car only. The Optima battery (the battery case only) measures 7 inches high and 10 inches long. The post is 3/4 of an inch higher from the top of the battery case The distance between the bottom of the battery cover (wood) and the top of the battery post is 3/4 of an inch space (no interference with cover at all including with cables installed). I have a few pictures showing the battery holder in car. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Of course the side veiw of orignal post here above (the second picture top) you ditto the 2x4's and end caps for your top layer for the battery encasement.
 

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Hi Everyone, Thanks very much stangblue. I was thinking from the perspective of my '36 which has a metal battery cover. Good post.
 
Stangblue, How does the battery perform? I am considering buying an Optima battery but I have never had my 39 pu running, never had a flathead and never had a 6v auto so I have no frame of reference with regards to starting performance and longevity. Thanks.
 
Optima = the only 6 volt battery !! 800 cold cranking amps just like a 12volt !
I laid mine on its side side under the floor in the 36 , they are a gell cell so it dosen't matter .
 
Looks ok to me, probably a little nicer looking than my installation in a 35 fordor, but my main goals were functionality and no modifications to stock battery mounting provisions. To Jeff's concern, I lowered the Optima about 1-1/2", giving about 1" clearance between battery posts/terminals and underside of sheet metal battery door/cover. I believe if I had used Larry Cossar's 35/36 battery door/cover, I could have mounted the Optima in the stock mounting.
OBTW, after cleaning all battery cables and ground connections on my 35, this 6V Optima spins the engine like it was a 12V system. While some do not like these Optima batteries, I am really happy with the three that I own.

A few pictures of my conversion....
 

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I have had a 6 volt in my 34 roadster for 9 years and a 12 volt in my three window for 6 years and both are going strong. In the winter I keep them on a trickle charger.
 
I have a 6 volt Optima in my jeep. It works great, knock on wood. Plenty of cranking power and no corrosion issues at all. Cincinnati's "Restoration Battery" sells them in repro cases to the vintage jeep crowd.
 
There is a fellow here that takes the Optima six volts and puts them in lead acid cases. He buys the empty case and then mounts the Optima diagonally so the posts come out in stock location. It looks just like a stock six volt.
 
I have an optima in my 53, works very well, looks a little "modern" in the engine bay tho. Would like an old style box for it
Can I use a regular battery charger for the optima?
Ian
 
Jeff, I have included a link where I bought my Optima Battery. http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batter...ng-Battery/dp/B00E16LTTK?tag=atomicindus08-20 The battery I purchased is the same size in height and length as my tar top battery. I have heard in the past that Optima made there 6V battery case higher by an 1/2" or so. I have a real old, maybe 10 or so yrs. Optima battery that was given to me by an early V-8er that went dead. I tried to revive it by charging it tandem (kickstart) with another 6V battery to see if I could get it to hold a charge of 6V no luck. This new Optima is the same dimensions as the old one. That is why I am confused as well. Can you give me the dimensions of your Optima Battery.
 
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Hi Everyone, stangblue, I am still using a 6v Lead-Acid battery in my '36 Phaeton so sorry I can't answer your question.

Maybe JM (or others) and you can both post the vertical dimensions of your batteries, all the way to the top of the post, and we can see if you have something different?

Having all the typical gripes, and am not against going gel-cell, so I'm watching what people are saying on the subject. Larry Cossar's cover is an elegant solution, but I think I still need some more help getting one to mount at all because it is different dimensions.

Here's s similar discussion on '36 models, with info about the custom cover in posts #5 & #6:
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95131&highlight=cossar
 
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KiWinUS said:
.....I laid mine on its side side under the floor in the 36 , they are a gell cell so it dosen't matter .
Click to expand...

VeryTangled said:
Hi Everyone, stangblue, I am still using a 6v Lead-Acid battery in my '36 Phaeton so sorry I can't answer your question.

Having all the typical gripes, and am not against going gel-cell, so I'm watching what people are saying on the subject.....
Click to expand...

JFYI, Optimas are not gel cell, but are lead/acid using absorbed glass mat (AGM) construction. :)
 
stangblue said:
Jeff, I have included a link where I bought my Optima Battery. http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batter...ng-Battery/dp/B00E16LTTK?tag=atomicindus08-20 The battery I purchased is the same size in height and length as my tar top battery. I have heard in the past that Optima made there 6V battery case higher by an 1/2" or so. I have a real old, maybe 10 or so yrs. Optima battery that was given to me by an early V-8er that went dead. I tried to revive it by charging it tandem (kickstart) with another 6V battery to see if I could get it to hold a charge of 6V no luck. This new Optima is the same dimensions as the old one. That is why I am confused as well. Can you give me the dimensions of your Optima Battery.
Click to expand...
the optima batter was only 100 dollars the ford lead acid was 225$ it is a shame that the optima people never did their home work and make the battery 1/2in shorter or maybe Ford Licensing would not allow them to make it the right size.
 
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Ralph Moore said:
There is a fellow here that takes the Optima six volts and puts them in lead acid cases. He buys the empty case and then mounts the Optima diagonally so the posts come out in stock location. It looks just like a stock six volt.
Click to expand...

I thought about doing the same thing if my Ford lead acid battery turns out to be a dud.
 
KiWinUS said:
Optima = the only 6 volt battery !! 800 cold cranking amps just like a 12volt !
I laid mine on its side side under the floor in the 36 , they are a gell cell so it dosen't matter .
Click to expand...

Good idea to lay it on its side...Did you have to lengthen the battery cables.
It is funny that the battery space is so shoe horned on the early fords.
In my 1933 the ford lead acid battery fits without a millimeter to spare.
 
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