Topic: 65-67 group 22 Autolite Battery Discussion

[ruppstang]

Yes, there are 22f out there but understandably very pricey because of the rarity. Only the most dedicated to authentity are willing to pay the thousands of dollars those batteries bring. Typically a private sale among collectors wanting them to go to the right car. Yes the 24 fits in all cases but is not assemblyline correct in all cases. A Delco Battery in a Ford product does not make any sense to me. It is more wrong? then a repro 24F.

Bob I am sure that you were thinking of 65-66 when you said that 22F and the 24F would fit in the same tray. The 67 22F tray is 2 inches shorter than the 24F.
Marty

[67gta289]

Here is a picture of currently available Motorcraft battery dimensions for reference.  Group 22 is NOT on the list

[67gtasanjose]

It' been a few years since I tried, but if memory serves...I had tried a 24F in my SMOG 289 car, and yes, the tray is shorter, but I believe it hit the filter can, causing me to take it off (as a matter of fact..it's STILL OFF, though I've seen it in my bucket of spare parts) Maybe I could strap it (smog pump filter can) back on and test fit a group 24 again to see things for myself, then possibly pick up a 24F tray if it actually clears it  I was looking this afternoon for pictures of a group 24 in a 67 with smog and did find one pictured. (filter canister was really close) That photo also had the radiator support cut out to fit that battery in there, thats surely not going to happen

On edit, I had a date-code correct 22F tray but upgraded to a 24F tray for consistency to the AC option

[Bob Gaines]

Marty is correct 65/66 the 22 F /24F battery fits in the same tray. However the question was would a 24 fit smog car and it will without interfering with anything(other then tray). The answer to that is yes. In the case of a 67 the tray it is different in that it is slightly longer for the 24F . What many did back in the day when the 22 F went bad was to replace it with a 24 f and simply fold down the tray edge that is towards the solenoid and the 24 F fits in the 22 tray. Very common to find a 22 tray folded down . Back when they were simply transportation not too many people were concerned about buying a different more appropriate tray.

[Bob Gaines]

FYI most smog cars including SB that I have seen had the heavy duty battery option (24F).

[67gtasanjose]

Thanks again Bob, Will get another battery tray and go for the 24F Repop

[67gtasanjose]

Here it is! The answer to using my OE tray, I just saw it on flea-bay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1965-71-Autolite-Group-22-Series-Red-Lettered-Battery-Ford-Mustang-/201005786916?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecce0e724&vxp=mtr

[Rsanter]

Some to me that it would be best to do a dummy case that you put one of those smaller race type batteries into. When the battery goes bad you keep the case and replace the battery.
I have worked in the plastics industry and have done mold design.
Making a cheap limited use mold overseas to make the battery shell and then the top will Likly run in the area of $25k to $35k
If you had to make a more specific case to actually work it could be a little more
Then you have to invest in the tooling to make the jumpers from the battery inside to the battery terminals

If you could get your hands on a real one even if it dosent work. You could make a silicone mold of the outside of the battery. Take that mold and do some trimming to fit into a case of sorts. Make the core plug to make the void for the dummy battery and then you could cast them of resin epoxy and paint them up.
You would be making the top and the case seperate. You could actually pour the resin around the terminals for the top so they would work

Bob

[Bob Gaines]

Here it is! The answer to using my OE tray, I just saw it on flea-bay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1965-71-Autolite-Group-22-Series-Red-Lettered-Battery-Ford-Mustang-/201005786916?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecce0e724&vxp=mtr

Not really. It is the correct size but the wrong style.That is a 68 on up battery. The top of the 65-67 looks dramatically different IMHO .

[67gtasanjose]

Not really. It is the correct size but the wrong style.That is a 68 on up battery. The top of the 65-67 looks dramatically different IMHO .

I wondered if it (eBay red capped Sta-ful) wasn't a service replacement you might have received at a Ford dealership, I didn't think it was assembly line battery (Autolite box). Yellow capped batteries were what originally came in it (I thought, though not yet confirmed) and to find an old Yeller just sitting in a garage somewhere....Yeah, just dreaming!
Still, I do not really know why somebody doesn't just pick this up and run with it, making a shell, a battery top (using a heat shield disguises the sides somewhat nicely) or a full-blown reproduction yellow-topped 22F Sta-Ful (or even a red topped) I am sure the investment in tooling would pay for itself in just a few short years (maybe less)

[ruppstang]

It is my understanding that Scott Drake is interested in making a correct early 22F and 24F. But will not until the MCA is willing to deduct points for the incorrect reproduction.   The current rules state a 22F or 24F is except able. The rules would need to be changed to say the assembly line Autolite battery. Most do not even know what they look like.

[Toploader]

It is my understanding that Scott Drake is interested in making a correct early 22F and 24F.

And if they do, I hope it'll be good old school fluid acid batteries. Not that gel stuff.

[J_Speegle]

It is my understanding that Scott Drake is interested in making a correct early 22F and 24F. But will not until the MCA is willing to deduct points for the incorrect reproduction.   .........

IMHO we should have been doing this for consistency for a while now. Hope we can get support from the early judges and get the ball rolling 

[ruppstang]

I moved it up the ladder, we will have to see what falls out.

[J_Speegle]

I moved it up the ladder, we will have to see what falls out.

In  the past this could be handled by poling the head judges since its not a rule change since its more of an oversight - something that has been overlooked for years. As a reminder for the first year or so we could just include a note on the judges sheets (as is done with undercoating, orange peel, battery tops) and a mention at every judges meeting before a national show

Getting off thread a bit (more of a MCA discussion) but thanks for the efforts