The Ford Barn

nellis003 · 11-06-2024, 11:06 AM

Hi All,

I'm working on getting my '47 Ford going after it's been sitting for a long time. Part of that is going to be installing a new battery.

It previously had a 6v Optima red top, which worked fine, but the prices of these batteries is surprising me. Are there any other options you folks have used for a gel or AGM battery on an early V8?

Thanks,
Nick

tubman · 11-06-2024, 11:21 AM

I have had 3 Optima's in my '51 since the early '90's. Each lasted longer than 10 years. I believe the longer life of the Optima actually makes it cheaper over the long run. Ordinary 6 volt batteries are usually the wrong size and of questionable quality (they are not an important component of any manufacturers product line).

A "ten year" battery doesn't make much sense in a car you keep 5 years, but our cars are usually long-term possessions. The 800 CCA doesn't hurt either.

slowforty · 11-06-2024, 11:39 AM

Amazon sells Optima batteries. If you get the credit card you can get a decent amount off for a first time buyer

tubman · 11-06-2024, 11:55 AM

Lately, I have found NAPA to have the best price on Optima's.

Kurt in NJ · 11-06-2024, 12:29 PM

I took a 12volt one and cut the xtra voltage off with a sawzall a couple times

nellis003 · 11-06-2024, 02:46 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

I took a 12volt one and cut the xtra voltage off with a sawzall a couple times

I tried using a dremel to cut off the extra volts, but could only get it down to nine.

Newc · 11-06-2024, 12:46 PM

I goggled them and found a Spanish source[Mexico]. Local shop said the co. had moved to Mexico. Cheaper than US sites. Newc

tubman · 11-06-2024, 02:12 PM

The whole "Move to Mexico" and associated problems were well documented on the H.A.M.B. about 10 years ago. It seems to make sense that they would be cheaper there, but what about shipping and duties, etc. Who sells them and do they ship here? Maybe NAFTA made this a good choice?

RalphG · 11-06-2024, 03:05 PM

I've had good service out of the ordinary lead acid batteries much like the car would have has as original equipment. Not sure on the CCA but I just bought a new one locally this summer. It fits the battery tray on the 52 Merc and seems to start up just as good as the big tractor battery I had in there for the past 9 years.
https://youtu.be/CxYET3SQo0k

corvette8n · 11-07-2024, 09:06 AM

I thought about getting an optima, but ended up getting a generic 6 volt from Orileys.
My local NAPA and Advanced didn’t have any on the shelf.

wga · 11-07-2024, 10:42 AM

Get the Optima and fuggaboutit...

get that 47 on the road...
Red Top $228 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/OPTIMA-Batter...663200002&th=1

Napa 6 volt, flooded and Red top:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/search...ery&referer=v2

11-06-2024, 11:06 AM	#1
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 162	6v Optima Alternative? Hi All, I'm working on getting my '47 Ford going after it's been sitting for a long time. Part of that is going to be installing a new battery. It previously had a 6v Optima red top, which worked fine, but the prices of these batteries is surprising me. Are there any other options you folks have used for a gel or AGM battery on an early V8? Thanks, Nick

11-06-2024, 11:21 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,633	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? I have had 3 Optima's in my '51 since the early '90's. Each lasted longer than 10 years. I believe the longer life of the Optima actually makes it cheaper over the long run. Ordinary 6 volt batteries are usually the wrong size and of questionable quality (they are not an important component of any manufacturers product line). A "ten year" battery doesn't make much sense in a car you keep 5 years, but our cars are usually long-term possessions. The 800 CCA doesn't hurt either.

11-06-2024, 11:39 AM	#3
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,176	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? Amazon sells Optima batteries. If you get the credit card you can get a decent amount off for a first time buyer

11-06-2024, 11:55 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,633	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? Lately, I have found NAPA to have the best price on Optima's.

11-06-2024, 12:29 PM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,554	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? I took a 12volt one and cut the xtra voltage off with a sawzall a couple times

11-06-2024, 12:46 PM	#7
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,909	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? I goggled them and found a Spanish source[Mexico]. Local shop said the co. had moved to Mexico. Cheaper than US sites. Newc

11-06-2024, 02:12 PM	#8
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,633	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? The whole "Move to Mexico" and associated problems were well documented on the H.A.M.B. about 10 years ago. It seems to make sense that they would be cheaper there, but what about shipping and duties, etc. Who sells them and do they ship here? Maybe NAFTA made this a good choice?

11-06-2024, 03:05 PM	#9
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,550	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? I've had good service out of the ordinary lead acid batteries much like the car would have has as original equipment. Not sure on the CCA but I just bought a new one locally this summer. It fits the battery tray on the 52 Merc and seems to start up just as good as the big tractor battery I had in there for the past 9 years. https://youtu.be/CxYET3SQo0k __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

11-07-2024, 09:06 AM	#10
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? I thought about getting an optima, but ended up getting a generic 6 volt from Orileys. My local NAPA and Advanced didn’t have any on the shelf.

11-07-2024, 10:42 AM	#11
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 962	Re: 6v Optima Alternative? Get the Optima and fuggaboutit... get that 47 on the road... Red Top $228 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/OPTIMA-Batter...663200002&th=1 Napa 6 volt, flooded and Red top: https://www.napaonline.com/en/search...ery&referer=v2 __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.