Hey everyone. Been a little while since I've been on here. Busy with life's happenings. Finally got a chance to see where I'm at on getting my '55 Customline going. Had an old school radiator guy leak test and solder up my original radiator early in the summer. Today I bought an Exide 6 volt battery at the parts store. It's a group 1. In my parts storage area, trunk, I found 2 different size battery hold-downs, 1 of them fits this battery, and a long skinny battery tray, which this battery does not fit. So I've got to locate the tray that this battery will fit. Anyone have info on battery to engine/year application? And what do I need to look for to get the tray I need for this battery? Thanks and looking forward to hearing this Y block start up!
Here's a battery dimensional chart I found while surfing the web. http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html
Used a repro tray for a '65/'66 Mustang on a '56 Ford with little required to adapt it. Works well and has a good design for securing the battery.
streetdreams, I was thinking along those lines after looking at the battery dimension chart. Could weld 'tabs' on the tray if necessary to use original hold down hardware.
Tn, that's what I did. I'll talk to Raceron. He may be kind enough to post some pics of the setup on his '56.
I'll have to dig thru my pics & see if I have one of the tray; if not I will try & take some of it this weekend. ron
Speaking of batteries,in two years the prices have gone crazy! they have increased up around 40% just like gasoline.Someplaces here locally(Interstate is one) have what is called "BLEM" batteries at a good discount,anyone used them?
This one is an Exide part# COM-1H-P, 6 volt and cost $72.70 plus tax and a $15 core. I can take back any 6 or 12 volt battery as the core.
Today I decided to temporarily install the smaller battery tray and set the battery in and turn it over. Discovered the square ignition key doesn't fit the ignition or door, but the trunk key does fit/work. I may have known this but have forgotten in the 10 months I've owned this Customline. Made sure it was in neutral, gear shift real sticky, and jumped the solenoid. Could get it to click and barely move the crank, then get about a 1/4 turn. In all made about 3 revolutions. Cables got warm. They are old large twisted strand cables missing all the insulation and probably just had too much resistance. The PO had told me the engine would turn and was not locked up, so this is a milestone in this project. Need to pull the plugs, probably should have already, and squirt some marvel mystery oil or something in the cylinders. The carburetor has had a baggie over it and looks clean, there are plenty of other places on this Ford the wasps and dirt dobbers can make home. Now to get battery cables, radiator hoses, remedy the battery tray, and some plugs and wires. Gas tank is out and looks pretty decent for the age of the car. To be cont...
Pulling the plugs and then seeing how the engine spins is the right idea. Also, how's the oil level and how does the oil look? Any signs of water ?
Found a universal ABS plastic tray at OReillys for $6. It has multiple n/e s/w holes for easy mounting and it won't rust! Also has tabs for hold-down. Think it will work out OK. Might make a mounting bracket to go from top of hold-down bolt to rad support to prevent premature failure. Seems like a quick and easy fix.
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