Topic: Exide may have discontinued the 24F battery

[MustangAndFairlane1867]

I've spent a lot of time on the phone the last couple of day trying to find an Exide 24F for my '65, 289 fastback with zero luck.  Finally talked to a helpful guy on the service desk at the local Home Depot who found a memo in his department that said Exide has discontinued its 24F battery and is replacing it with an Exide SX24F.  Unfortunately he had no other info on the "new" battery.  I'm curious if (1) anyone can confirm this, and (2) is there another battery on the market with the "feet" on the short end of the battery for the Mustang's stock hold-down bracket, and with the negative and positive terminals in the "correct" position for our vintage Mustangs?  Thanks for any/all suggtestions.  Ron

[ChrisV289]

Bosch makes a 24F battery. Available at pep boys

[gjz30075]

I just went through this and found that yes, Home Depot still sells the Exide 24f but no 'feet', or lips, for our installation.  I visited all the HD
around me and the Exide 24f (variant) is available, but no feet.   All the Pep Boys near me carry the 24f Bosch but, no feet on them, either.   I did find a proper Interstate 24F, correct post orientation and with feet, at NTB.

I also have a cracked up old Sta-Ful case from which I cut off the feet for future installation on some new battery when the 'feeted'
batteries are no longer around.    Hopefully by then the 'proper' Autolite Sta-Ful battery(s) will be reproduced.  Not holding my breath, though :-)

[ChrisV289]

I bought a Bosch battery a little over 2 years ago and it had the lip for the hold down. Has it changed?

[gjz30075]

Probably.   I was checking on this just last week.   

[Brian Conway]

While it was possible to get the repro AUTOLITE battery I was willing to pay the price because I liked the look. The Exide with the correct mounting edge never looked right in the engine bay.  That's my opinion and I don't have any use for a 'topper'. So I am done with this issue and have mounted the NPD modified 65 battery tray along with the handle/retainer and the J hooks. Less than $30.  Got a battery, removed the tags, and installed in the car.  If the Autolite 24F comes back into production it will be easy enough to switch back  Brian

[rare70cat]

What about this place. www.antiqueautobattery.com/batteries/ford/G24FA.html