The Ford Barn

m610 · 08-02-2023, 11:00 AM

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

Kube · 08-02-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m610

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

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.

KiWinUS · 08-02-2023, 01:02 PM

Kube is spot on. Follow his lead.

TJ · 08-02-2023, 02:12 PM

X3 on the Optima.

uncle buck · 08-02-2023, 05:50 PM

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.

m610 · 08-03-2023, 02:22 AM

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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?

KiWinUS · 08-03-2023, 04:56 AM

I just used a rubber bungee 16 years.

JM 35 Sedan · 08-03-2023, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m610

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?

This was my solution some years ago....still working well with a 10+ years old Optima 6v red top.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320541

Daveyjonez · 08-03-2023, 10:47 AM

Has anyone had any issues running an Optima with a Generator (Charging Issues??)

JM 35 Sedan · 08-03-2023, 11:03 AM

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.

tubman · 08-03-2023, 11:34 AM

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.

Daveyjonez · 08-03-2023, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the input guys

08-02-2023, 11:00 AM	#1
m610 Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Esparto, CA Posts: 76	Battery for a '36 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

08-02-2023, 01:02 PM	#3
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,421	Re: Battery for a '36 Kube is spot on. Follow his lead.

08-02-2023, 02:12 PM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,773	Re: Battery for a '36 X3 on the Optima.

08-02-2023, 05:50 PM	#5
uncle buck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Snohomish,WA Posts: 1,131	Re: Battery for a '36 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. Last edited by uncle buck; 08-02-2023 at 06:00 PM.

08-03-2023, 02:22 AM	#6
m610 Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Esparto, CA Posts: 76	Re: Battery for a '36 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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?

08-03-2023, 04:56 AM	#7
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,421	Re: Battery for a '36 I just used a rubber bungee 16 years.

08-03-2023, 10:47 AM	#9
Daveyjonez Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 89	Re: Battery for a '36 Has anyone had any issues running an Optima with a Generator (Charging Issues??)

08-03-2023, 11:03 AM	#10
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: Battery for a '36 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. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 08-03-2023 at 01:26 PM.

08-03-2023, 11:34 AM	#11
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,146	Re: Battery for a '36 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.

08-03-2023, 11:45 AM	#12
Daveyjonez Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 89	Re: Battery for a '36 Thanks for the input guys