correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

i has a situation with the battery size in my 57 Thunderbird. I am in the finishing stages and was starting and running the motor to make a few adjustments etc. and all was well.
I closed the hood and it stalled. I opened the hood and restarted it and everything appeared to be fine. I closed the hood and it stalled again.
It was then i noticed that the positive battery post and clamp had shorted out against the underside of the hood burning a really nice black hole in my brand new white paint job. Apparently this battery sits to high.
The battery is 8 inches high and the post is 9 and 1 quarter high. It is 12 and a half inches long. and 5 and a half inches wide.
Would any know the correct size for this battery in this car?

the battery is a Deka 650 MF 600 108 RC

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Pat, the DEKA APPL CHART shows that BATT @ 8.875" H

Is the case 8" H or is it case and post(s)?

OEM FORD (BIRD) was 8"H (taking into consideration correct battery tray).

Did DEKA cataloging show that BAT as correct service replacement for the BIRD?

See if the OEM application chart shows -

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

The battery is 8 inches high. 9 1/4 high at the top of the positive post.

The auto parts dealer did not have this car battery listed in their Deka book. They contacted Deka and made a special order.

This was a year or so back.

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Ain't that the way it always is?

BATT SIZE and SOURCE - https://www.wholesalebatteries.net/p...24-60-warranty

Even if you put some type of protective blanket (rubber) over, it might shift and burn the car up and still rub the underside of the hood. OEM calls out 8" (so does my old lady). I don't know if that height is with or without posts.

What do you think you will do. The things aren't cheap anymore.

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

What is the battery model? number. Two different batteries were used in 57 Birds, 29NF and 32 NF. The 32 NF is not commercially available (expensive repos may be available) and there have been some problems getting the 29NF

How is your battery oriented? The posts on a stock battery are on the inside toward the engine., positive in front, negative in rear toward the firewall.

Based on a generic listing of batteries I have, the 29NF is listed as 13 L, 5 1/2W and 8 15/16 H. No listing of the 32 NF

There are battery post covers available, but not sure these will help if tolerances are so close

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Example photos below. If the battery posts are toward the fender they may touch the fender or outer framing on the underside of the hood.

For whatever it's worth... I measured the overall height of a NAPA 29NF battery here that was removed from a '57 T-Bird. The tops of the posts are approx 9 to 9 & 1/8 inches up from the bottom of the battery.

That's a good point... after 65+ years the battery tray may not be original to the car.
Or, due to the narrowness of the metal tray the existing battery may not be sitting flat in the tray.
Or, there may be something under the battery to raise it slightly so it isn't cut into by the tray edges.
.

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Paul hit the nail right on the head.

The battery I had, Deka, had the posts towards the outside of the car. The interfered with the structure of the hood.

I went to the local tire dealer who sells Interstate battery's. He contacted the dealer rep. who was most helpful, and knowledgeable.

He was aware of the issue with the baby bird hood and the position of the post.

They had a Series 29 battery where the positive post would be positioned in front and on the inside of the battery.

It was also a considerable amount cheaper than the Deka.

Thanks for all the help and comments .

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Ain't that something? We all learned something today ...

EDIT -

So if the BATT is installed incorrectly (or wrong BATT in this instance), the posts will hit not the hood skin itself but the hood frame.

Did you take a photo? How badly was the paint damaged?

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

I forgot to take some photos.

The damage was limited to the shape of the positive terminal end of the battery cable burned thru the paint and into the metal on the underside of the hood.

Some masking, grinding, sanding and body filler later I was ready to paint it with my airbrush.

Expensive error on my part.

Re: correct size of battery for a 1957 thunderbird
 

Well, it happens.

Had the replacement been closer in time, you should have caught the wrong BATT.

A nice STEAK and CHEW with a few cold adult beverages will dampen the hurt ...:D

A little out of date, but good info here - https://www.ctci.org/batteries-revis...-thunderbirds/

NOTE : Antique Battery, Youngstown Ohio Was Bought By -

- https://www.jimsbattery-mfg.com/

ALSO - BATTERY DECORATION -

- https://weskcar.com/