Ford Script Optima Battery Replacement???

[expavr]

The optima battery in the Ford Script battery case on my truck died. Has anyone taken the top off of the Script battery case to install a new Optima? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks.
Les Williams

[Lawson Cox]

Yes. Look in the archives for a piece I wrote on that very subject three or 4 years ago, maybe longer.

[JM 35 Sedan]

There is a good tech article on the EFV-8C/A, Northern Ohio Regional Group #20 website that gives details on how to install an Optima 6V Red Top Battery in a Ford script lead acid battery case. There should be some information in that article that tells you how to remove the top of that script case. Hopefully by clicking one of the two url's below, they will get you to that article....

http://www.norgv8club.org/norg/index...-docs-and-tips

http://www.norgv8club.org/norg/index...rd-script-case

[copperpenny]

The one I just took apart has the Optima battery sitting in a solid mass of poured plastic...from a well known supplier of these "logoed" batteries. Wasted over $300+. How can you return the battery if still under warrenty?

[steve-cook]

I have never owned an optima battery.

That being said I have read many recent reviews that are not positive on new optima batteries, it may be better to just replace with a script battery and use a battery maintainer to extend its life.

[Bolts]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I believe member Ford38v8 (Alan) did an extensive write up on putting the Optima battery in 6V case recently.

[ford38v8]

That I did, Alex.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135661

[expavr]

Thanks for the input. I've decided to remove the bottom of the case using a modified approach shown in the PDF file from the Northern Ohio regional group. If Antique Battery who was the vendor that built it has filled the case with plastic, it may prove to be an exercise in futility. Regarding the actual Optima battery my experience was positive. It lasted 9 years which IMO compares favorably with a conventional battery.

[copperpenny]

The "manufacturer" also poured new lead battery posts over the original posts. Brought their height up to better fasten the battery cables.They need to be sawed off flush with the top in order to remove the top completely.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by copperpenny

The "manufacturer" also poured new lead battery posts over the original posts. Brought their height up to better fasten the battery cables.They need to be sawed off flush with the top in order to remove the top completely.

Maybe it would be easier to turn it over and open the bottom side.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Maybe it would be easier to turn it over and open the bottom side.

I wouldn't advise trying going up from the bottom in order to save the top. The top of the battery is thick, and needs to be replaced with as thin a material as possible for clearance of the height of the Optima, and to allow the Optima's posts to protrude. I used 1/16" ABS, with 3/16" atop that to simulate the 3 cells. Even then, for the LF case, the bottom will need to be removed, and a skirt of some sort will need to be fabricated to accommodate the increased height of the new version Optima, that skirt being of similar material (black ABS works well), and fastened securely and inconspicuously to the bottom, extending the height of the case. The skirt will not escape detection by a sharp judge, however, a neat job should not, in my opinion, draw a point deduction. Another method of creating a skirt would be to use a wood platform having a hollowed out core beneath the Optima, but again, this would not escape detection. The HF case will work without a skirt, but the exterior design pattern is way different than on the LF battery, and of course, was not available during the LF period, meaning an automatic point deduction on the Concourse.