Battery for a '36

m610

m610

Member
I'm having trouble finding a battery to fit in the allotted space in our 36 Ford. The space available in front of the driver is about 7.5" tall, and we can't find a battery under 8.5" tall. Are suitable batteries, ones that fit, available, and if not, what do people do, relocate the battery to the trunk?


Mike
 
m610 said:
I'm having trouble finding a battery to fit in the allotted space in our 36 Ford. The space available in front of the driver is about 7.5" tall, and we can't find a battery under 8.5" tall. Are suitable batteries, ones that fit, available, and if not, what do people do, relocate the battery to the trunk?


Mike
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If authenticity does not matter to you, I'd strongly suggest you get a red top Optima. Not much money, lasts for years upon years and has about 150% CCA of a regular acid battery. The Optima can be installed safely at an angle in your stock battery tray.
Pretty easy to rig up a hold down system.
I have done this numerous times in '34 through '36 Fords.
 
You should have no problem getting an Optima thru your local NAPA store. The Sacramento NAPA Distribution Center has 33 of them. The Optima is taller than your original but easily will fit. Some people will build a simple battery drop and some will mount it on its side , which is ok to do. Part # N996VRED.
 
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Thanks. We've got the optima. It looks like we could get it to fit if we lean it forward, but it will be exposed to the elements. Does anyone have photos of the hold-downs you used?
 
I have an Optima 6V red top battery, a generator, and a fun project/product regulator. All works well.

Also, I have 3 working 6V Optima red tops in my old cars, and a 12V Optima yellow/yellow top in a 2001 GMC 3/4 Ton pickup truck. The oldest 6V red top was purchased ~ 2007. The 12V yellow was purchased in 2015. All still working.
 
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I've had Optima batteries with a stock generator/regulator setup in my '51 since the early '90's (I'm on my third Optima). Never had a problem.
 
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