Let's talk battery hold downs
Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 318
Likes: 13
From: Baltimore
Check the sides of your battery. I don't think a 24F group size has a lip on the bottom for the GM clamp. When Ford started using group 65 batteries they started using the bottom clamp style. Originally there would have been a bracket going from the front hold down bolt and bolted the the 2 holes in the radiator support.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Check the sides of your battery. I don't think a 24F group size has a lip on the bottom for the GM clamp. When Ford started using group 65 batteries they started using the bottom clamp style. Originally there would have been a bracket going from the front hold down bolt and bolted the the 2 holes in the radiator support.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
Here's a link I found. The 24f may not have any lips on the bottom of the battery on the long sides. It may have them on the short sides.
Battery-Web.com - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals
Battery-Web.com - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Here's a link I found. The 24f may not have any lips on the bottom of the battery on the long sides. It may have them on the short sides.
Battery-Web.com - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals
Battery-Web.com - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,274
Likes: 1,233
I think they sold you the wrong size battery. I recently looked up a group size 27 battery for my truck. Interstate battery was 6-13/16" wide, 8-7/8" high and 12-1/16" long.
That looks like a stock hold down cross member. You just need the right battery. I don't think I would monkey around with modifying the tray. If your's is like mine it sits in the fender well and will get wet...so corrosion protection is a must for longevity. I recently replaced mine and put several coats of undercoat on it. Found the replacement battery tray on ebay.
That looks like a stock hold down cross member. You just need the right battery. I don't think I would monkey around with modifying the tray. If your's is like mine it sits in the fender well and will get wet...so corrosion protection is a must for longevity. I recently replaced mine and put several coats of undercoat on it. Found the replacement battery tray on ebay.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,274
Likes: 1,233
By the way I see that you are missing part of your hold down assembly. There's a stamped steel plate brace that helps keep the battery in place fore and aft that gets screwed into the two bolt inserts in front of the battery and extends to the j-bolt.
I see you say that the hold down gave up? Usual failure point is the rear ear on the battery tray and will require replacement. I got a great one on ebay for $65, was just as beefy as the original. 4 bolts and out...through the bottom to the wheel well. Crazy place for the battery tray especially if you live in saltlandia. As I mentioned before under coat the bottom after installation.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 709
Likes: 2
From: MN
I think they sold you the wrong size battery. I recently looked up a group size 27 battery for my truck. Interstate battery was 6-13/16" wide, 8-7/8" high and 12-1/16" long.
That looks like a stock hold down cross member. You just need the right battery. I don't think I would monkey around with modifying the tray. If your's is like mine it sits in the fender well and will get wet...so corrosion protection is a must for longevity. I recently replaced mine and put several coats of undercoat on it. Found the replacement battery tray on ebay.
That looks like a stock hold down cross member. You just need the right battery. I don't think I would monkey around with modifying the tray. If your's is like mine it sits in the fender well and will get wet...so corrosion protection is a must for longevity. I recently replaced mine and put several coats of undercoat on it. Found the replacement battery tray on ebay.
I am however going to go with a later model tray and hold down.
Thanks
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,274
Likes: 1,233
Could be a good solution to go with a newer tray and hold down if it fits well. I'm not familiar with later years battery trays and hold downs so can't give you any help there. How about posting some pics when you are putting it together?
I'm happy with the 80-86 stock set up. Worked well for 32 years with virtually no maintenance...and now rebuilt should be good for another 32, probably more now that I understand how it was built and how to maintain it. I hope I'm good for another 32!
I'm happy with the 80-86 stock set up. Worked well for 32 years with virtually no maintenance...and now rebuilt should be good for another 32, probably more now that I understand how it was built and how to maintain it. I hope I'm good for another 32!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,274
Likes: 1,233
I took a look at a 87 battery tray. I don't think you will be that happy going that direction. There will be modifications required to make it work for you. I can't see any advantage in changing the battery tray to a different model year when you can get a quick replacement that fits. Took me 30 minutes to R and R and it fit perfect.
The 80-86 battery tray I purchased was the Goodmark from this vendor:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Ford-F-...LH_TitleDesc=0
I see the price has gone up. I picked up mine back in March. I can say that this tray met my expectations for a true replacement. I see there is another vendor on ebay that has a battery tray for $69. I don't know if it is of the same quality as the Goodmark.
The 80-86 battery tray I purchased was the Goodmark from this vendor:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Ford-F-...LH_TitleDesc=0
I see the price has gone up. I picked up mine back in March. I can say that this tray met my expectations for a true replacement. I see there is another vendor on ebay that has a battery tray for $69. I don't know if it is of the same quality as the Goodmark.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,274
Likes: 1,233
If you need the brace too...they are available on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-86-FOR....c100005.m1851
Or probably available at your wrecking yard...
Good luck
Big Blue 2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-86-FOR....c100005.m1851
Or probably available at your wrecking yard...
Good luck
Big Blue 2
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
My only issue, and it was a small one, was that the plastic bar was just a hair too small for the top of my battery, but it would pop down into place with a little pressure.
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