How close can a battery be to the engine?

They used that long slender battery up to the end of the inline 8 mills. They used up the last of the inlines in 53, so, somewhere in that production run. My dad's 52 Roadmaster has that setup. I was surprised to see how close the battery is to the block. Like you said, it's on the "cool" side of the motor, but, still pretty darn close. It has a group 24 sized battery in it now, and that thing can't be more than 3 inches from the p***enger side of the block. It hasn't given him a bit of trouble though.

 

Why not cut a hole in the trunk lid. and install a door over the axcess hole. Do the same for the fuel fill for the gas tank. Its a old round track car so anything goes.. I have in the mid 60s saw battery's mounted outside of the frame rails with protection bars around them.

 

Rollcage? Trunk welded shut? I'm hearing "racecar" of some kind and those usually benefits from having heavy stuff moved from the front (which is too heavy anyway due to engine etc.) to the rear. Move it to the rear, modify what needs to be modified to make it easily accesible. There's probably more stuff that belongs in there anyway.

 

Stock Morris Minor:

Not much distance between the engine and the battery. For what it's worth.

 

When I along with a Buddy installed my '51 232 Stude stick OD in my '52 Willis Areo Eagle Hard top, I put a 2x4 on it's exhaust manifold and put a long thin Packard 6 volt battery on it and was fine. No tie downs at all.

pdq67

 

Wow, yeah guess it really can't get any closer... And I thought headers put out more heat then manifolds too?

 

When it comes to electrical system design, I would not take any cues from the Brits. LOL.

 

Ha Ha Ha!!

Excellent point my man, excellent point.

 

Stock 40 Ford has the battery on a tray mounted to the p***enger side frame rail right next to the engine. I recall earlier models had it recessed into the firewall on the p***. side. Engine compartments don't get much hotter than an early ford with a flathead and the hood closed on a summer day.

 

It would be easier to visualize a spot for the battery if there was a picture of the car.

 

I think the location you pointed out in your first post is where I would put it, either make or buy a box for it and maybe even insulate the inside of it if you're concerned about the heat. It's outside in the open and it seems like the majority of the heat would just blow away while the car is moving. Even sitting still there's nothing to retain the heat.

Rich

 

If you read all the posts on this thread,you will see a photo of his car,,,,

 

Well looks like I might as well try it here first... Bought the metal jacket version, and I think I have some good reflective insulation around, just to be sure. Guess I won't lose man amps through the cables haha

 

My battery has been under the p***enger floor board in my 28 rpu for over 30 yrs. Closer to the pipe than i like but never had a problem. It gets lots of air under there for sure.