Need a new battery and was thinking about getting a Motorcraft. I like the idea of keeping it "all Ford" under the hood. I checked at the Ford dealer today and they said cost was about a hundred bucks, with 3 years free replacement. I thought that sounded reasonable, but the parts guy seemed unsure about which model of battery to sell me. My truck is a 63 with a 66 240 in it. I told him I thought it needed around 550 CCA and that just about any size would fit in the tray. He said he would have to order the battery but could have it the next day. Does anyone know the series number (or whatever Ford calls it) that will fit the best in the tray on these trucks? And what about the quality of the Motorcraft batteries? Are they worth a hundred bucks?

 

Couldn't match one to your old battery ? I tell you these counter kids(age independent) are becoming a real nuisance LOL....

 

Dunno about the Motocrafts, I started replacing my wet batteries a few years back with the orbital dry batts from Napa.
I'll never buy another wet battery. It sure is nice not to have to deal corrosion on the terminals any more, and not having my Batt tray and truck eaten up.

My plug for Dry batts in case you don't go Motocraft.

Greg

 

Orange, Go to Wallyworld and buy the cheepest 525 cold crank amp with the post on the correct side for your truck and figure on replacing it in 3 years, and if it goes 4. like it might you are ahead.

You see Ford doesn't make batteries, nor does Sears (Die Hard) or Interstate Batteries for that matter.

Batteries are like air filters are pretty much made by the big 3 (Johnson Controls, Exide, or Puralator) and labeled for the seller.

A hundred bucks is $50.00 too much. IMHO


John

 

Better ask that parts guy again about the warranty. Batteries are pro-rated...meaning for the first year, replacement is free, then you pay so much a month for the rest of the warranty period.

The original battery was a group number R-29-NF which is no longer available from Ford.

Look under a late model Mustang hood to see what the battery looks like...this is the only battery that Ford sells today, AFAIK that will fit your battery tray.

I agree with jowilker, buy a battery in a parts store for half the price, or if you want to keep it original, there are companies that sell the original tar top Power Punch batteries these trucks came with.

That lettering is on the front of the battery. Look in Hemmings Motor News (hemmings.com) for the companies that offer them.

btw: Motorcraft batteries were made for many years by the same company that made Die Hards-the Exide Battery Company.

 

Redmanbob - Good suggestion, but I think the battery that I have in my truck is not the right one to begin with, so matching it up really wouldn't have been too helpful. The parts guy actually was pretty sharp and seemed to know a bit about the old trucks. I did some business at that same Ford dealer a couple years ago and at that time they seemed completely clueless about anything that wasn't the latest model, and and I think they've improved since then.

Greg - I like the dry batteries. I have an Optima red in my Crown Vic and love it. But I've read a few places online that using them in older vehicles translates into a shorter life span because they overcharge them or something like that. Might not be true, I don't know. Anyway, I think an Optima red top would look out of place in the truck- too modern looking. Maybe the Napa's look better. I'll check em out.

John - Dang it I was hoping to never have to go to walmart again! You're right, though, if I can save 50 bucks that's probably worth it.

Bill - I was told the warranty was 3 years free replacement and pro-rated after that - for another 3 years I believe. They also offered the same battery with an 18 month free replacement before the prorated period and that was 80 dollars. Of course I didn't see anything in writing and he may have told me incorrectly, but that's what he told me. I didn't realize it was supposed to be a power punch battery. I thought those were in the fifties models. For some reason I had thought it would be autolite. Anyway, the problem with those batteries would seem to be the warranty. Even if they had one, redeeming it would seem to be a real pain. It would be cheaper to order a new one than drive all the way to Dennis Carpenters to exchange it.

 

After 3 years you probable will be paying 90% of their price of a new one.

If you are running a high end show truck I might think about a Motorcraft battery, otherwise it's Wallys world for me.

Be sure to take the core in with you, I don't know about the peach city but in the Tarheel everyone charges a core charge. I have taken mine out in the parking lot and come back with a new one.

You can always get the wife to go to Wallys world for you. lmao

John

 

Dummy will probably jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong but I think that series 24F is a direct replacement for most of the trucks and full size Fords from the 60's. I just bought an 84 month for my '67 Galaxie from Les Schwab (Pacific Northwest) for $99.95 and then a week later, Walmart had the same battery on sale for for $59.95. I say the same battery because there are only a limited number of battery manufacturers that make them and are sold under many different labels. Globe Union is one of the biggest. Steve

 

My truck's definitely not a show truck LOL. I checked at walmart today (snuck in through the tire & lube entrance) . A comparable battery with a 3 year warranty is 72.99 after the core. At Autozone the same thing is 89.99. Not a huge difference with the motorcraft, but I guess they are a little overpriced.

Steve I think the 24 looked right to me too. My truck is missing the original hold down clamp so it's hard to tell. F series seems right because the positive would be on the right, right? putting it closest to the solenoid.

 

1961/66 F100/350's with the battery tray mounted on the firewall: R29NF was the original battery.

R29NF = 5 1/2" Wide / 13" Long / 9 3/32" High.

R24F = 6 27/32" Wide / 10 1/4" Long / 8 11/16" High.

R24F may work, but it was originally a car battery used in mid-sized and full sized cars thru 1983.

R22F is the smaller brother to R24F.

Many of the 1961/78 full sized cars, 1965/79 F100/350's (battery tray mounted on the fender apron) used R27F or R27FA (H/D Premium). Both: 6 27/32" Wide / 12 1/2" Long / 8 21/32" High

Make SURE you get an R group battery.

A G group battery is for GM and other vehicles: The posts are reversed!

Battery tray mounted on the firewall: The L shaped battery hold-down adjustable bracket (AOA10718B) fits around the entire top edge of the battery, two J bolts (and nuts, washers) were used to retain it.

At one time, most autoparts stores sold a universal replacement.

Because of hood clearance issues, you cannot use the bracket the trucks (and cars) used with the fender apron mounted battery tray.

This bracket was originally rubber coated steel. In 1970, Ford replaced it with a plastic bracket: DODZ10718A, which was also used in most of the cars thru the early 1980's.

 

I went out and looked at what I had in the truck. It's a group 27 battery ProStart (PepBoys) battery with the positive terminal on the right (facing the truck from the front - battery is against the firewall). So according to ND that's a GM battery huh? I looked at a picture online and the the R24F definitely has the positive on the left. Come to think of it, the battery in my crown vic has the positive terminal on the left too.

 

I like the old Champion battery at K-not so s mart; they look nice in the trucks and cost about the same as the wally-world "never start" batteries....

 

Half the batteries at our little old Wally world are yellow! How ugly! I ended up at Parts Africa, or was it Not so Advanced Auto Parts, anyway, I always go for the biggest one I can get and still fit nicely into the tray, and as the Number man stated, with the correct post orientation. I got 5 years out of the last one, the truck sets up in the hay mow for half the year with the great weather that we have here in good 'ol upstate NY, so I like to have more CCA when I go out and start it up and let it run for a while on those occasional mild high 30-40 degree days. Of course the bigger batteries cost more, but lasting longer is worth it to me!

 

If I'm not mistaken there are only about 3 battery manufacturers in the U.S. that make all of the (wet lead) batteries for all of the brand names. Generally, the heavier the battery, the better. I'm starting to lean more toward the AGM type batteries, I had very good results with them.

 

Orange, the last I checked Consumer Reports,the Motorcraft and the AC Delco Freedom battery were rated 1 and 2...O'Reilly Auto parts here in Texas keeps ample supply of the Motorcraft Brand...The last I checked,I did not see a battery in stock with the negative post closest to the engine,352 on my '65 CC. I was doing a quick visual search without further inquiry behind the counter.I'm sure somewhere a Motorcraft can be located to suit your needs.Hope this helps..Good Luck.