The Ford Barn

throwback · 05-21-2010, 06:04 PM

Hello,

My brother is restoring his 1937 Ford Coupe. He put a battery in the car where it is suppose to go. Apparently there is a problem with doing this due to battery acid being spilled onto the firewall. I would imagine that this has been a problem from when the car was built. Do any of you have recommendations on best solutions to this? Looking for your input.

Thank you!

37 Coupe · 05-21-2010, 06:10 PM

Definitely only one way to go,an Optima gell cell battery, disguised in a Ford script battery box.

37 Coupe · 05-21-2010, 06:25 PM

Picture of Optima 6 volt battery in a Ford script battery box in 37 Ford firewall battery box,gell cell no acid.

Mr 42 · 05-22-2010, 12:26 AM

Dont spill the acid!!
Worked on the original car for years.
If you spill use baking soda and a lot of clean water to rinse it off.

jimTN · 05-22-2010, 06:20 AM

Have two 37s and a 39 std with bat in firewall and never had a problem. If you are nervous, there are aftermarket rubber things available fo the bat to set on. Never have needed the space age bat either, all mine start well on reg 6v bats.

throwback · 05-22-2010, 07:29 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Where can I get an Optima battery in a battery case?

37 Coupe · 05-22-2010, 07:50 AM

I bought mine about 4 years ago from Antique Auto Battery in Hudson Ohio,I think they also supplied C & G and others. Mine is the taller Optima battery and they had to make it with bottom part of battery sticking through the case,it is easy to disguise with some rubber weatherstripping. I have read some post on old Fordbarn where they may have discontinued doing this but a lot of others have taken a Ford battery case and stripped insides to create their own,someone also makes the fake top but I do not remember the source,best cranking and looking 6 volt I ever had. The firewall / battery bow on a 37 Ford is too precious and expensive to replace, when I got my coupe it was still pretty good shape but a lot of old acid corrosion in firewall insulation,the kind you can taste just by the smell I guess.

TJ · 05-22-2010, 09:11 AM

you can also put the battery in a plastic marine battery box. You can get them at Walmart for about $8.00.

05-21-2010, 06:04 PM	#1
throwback Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri Posts: 225	1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns Hello, My brother is restoring his 1937 Ford Coupe. He put a battery in the car where it is suppose to go. Apparently there is a problem with doing this due to battery acid being spilled onto the firewall. I would imagine that this has been a problem from when the car was built. Do any of you have recommendations on best solutions to this? Looking for your input. Thank you!

05-21-2010, 06:10 PM	#2
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns Definitely only one way to go,an Optima gell cell battery, disguised in a Ford script battery box. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

05-22-2010, 12:26 AM	#4
Mr 42 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 427	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns Dont spill the acid!! Worked on the original car for years. If you spill use baking soda and a lot of clean water to rinse it off.

05-22-2010, 06:20 AM	#5
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns Have two 37s and a 39 std with bat in firewall and never had a problem. If you are nervous, there are aftermarket rubber things available fo the bat to set on. Never have needed the space age bat either, all mine start well on reg 6v bats.

05-22-2010, 07:29 AM	#6
throwback Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri Posts: 225	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Where can I get an Optima battery in a battery case?

05-22-2010, 07:50 AM	#7
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns I bought mine about 4 years ago from Antique Auto Battery in Hudson Ohio,I think they also supplied C & G and others. Mine is the taller Optima battery and they had to make it with bottom part of battery sticking through the case,it is easy to disguise with some rubber weatherstripping. I have read some post on old Fordbarn where they may have discontinued doing this but a lot of others have taken a Ford battery case and stripped insides to create their own,someone also makes the fake top but I do not remember the source,best cranking and looking 6 volt I ever had. The firewall / battery bow on a 37 Ford is too precious and expensive to replace, when I got my coupe it was still pretty good shape but a lot of old acid corrosion in firewall insulation,the kind you can taste just by the smell I guess. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

05-22-2010, 09:11 AM	#8
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: 1937 Ford Coupe battery in firewall concerns you can also put the battery in a plastic marine battery box. You can get them at Walmart for about $8.00.