Topic: Battery help

[68 S Code]

Hi guys its been more than a few months but I'm back. As usual looking for some help. Trying to finish off some minor details as i am getting ready to finally show the the 68 GT Vert  in Dearborn next weekend. Big item that I have been holding off purchasing has been a reproduction battery. Did a general search and a Scott Drake Group 24 Sta Ful popped up at CJ Pony Parts. It is supposed to be somewhat sealed so sounds like a plus as I am hoping to avoid any acid leaks. Has anyone had any experiance with this unit? Is it worth the premium price? Anything will look better than the green and white Interstate that I stole out of the XJ6 for the past few years. Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

Hi guys its been more than a few months but I'm back. As usual looking for some help. Trying to finish off some minor details as i am getting ready to finally show the the 68 GT Vert  in Dearborn next weekend. Big item that I have been holding off purchasing has been a reproduction battery. Did a general search and a Scott Drake Group 24 Sta Ful popped up at CJ Pony Parts. It is supposed to be somewhat sealed so sounds like a plus as I am hoping to avoid any acid leaks. Has anyone had any experiance with this unit? Is it worth the premium price? Anything will look better than the green and white Interstate that I stole out of the XJ6 for the past few years. Thanks

I would buy one from Brant at Virginia Mustang . He is a frequent contributor here. The maintenance free one he sells is a exact replica of a 68 assemblyline battery plus it is maintence free and will not leak like a assemblyline battery would . And it doesn't look like a Interstate . Worth the money in my book. That is where I am going to buy mine the next time I need one .Just my 2 cents

[ruppstang]

Another option is buy the cheaper acid fill and and leave it empty for show use only. I use a auto parts battery and a topper for driving. Marty

[tim_morrison82]

I have a retail display version of the first repro batteries. Its less than 5kg, has no internal lead, so easy in, easy out. I dont know how many were around, but if you could find one of those, that would be great for display only

[68 S Code]

Thanks for all the recommendations. My build sheet does not refer to HD Battery, only GT Equipment Group. It is an S code and a convertible. So should it be a group 22, 24 or 27? Final question is should I have the plastic battery shroud? Thought I remember hearing that FE's did have the plastic piece but it may have been 4-speed specific? Mine has a C-6. I believe I have a original C7 part number shroud in a bin downstairs. Did a search of some past posts and it sounds like AC cars only get the sheild? Mine does not have AC so i guess not?

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks for all the recommendations. My build sheet does not refer to HD Battery, only GT Equipment Group. It is an S code and a convertible. So should it be a group 22, 24 or 27? Final question is should I have the plastic battery shroud? Thought I remember hearing that FE's did have the plastic piece but it may have been 4-speed specific? Mine has a C-6. I believe I have a original C7 part number shroud in a bin downstairs. Did a search of some past posts and it sounds like AC cars only get the sheild? Mine does not have AC so i guess not?

BB 68's all got 24's. No 27's in 68 . As far as the heat shields they were only stipulated on the air conditioning cars however I have seen a few on non A/C thermactor equiped BB cars . If no thermactor I don't think it is apropriate however if you included it chances are no one would say anything negitive.

[68 S Code]

Bob thanks for the enlightenment. Yes i have a 90% original Thermactor system on the car. So with what you mentioned it wouldn't be completely out of the ordinary to see the shield since i have the smog system. I will double check that it is the C7 part number.

Back to the battery issue. Well no one locally had it. Virginia, CJ Pony, Kentucky and national parts Depot are out. Seemed like I would have to either buy a generic black battery until i ran across this. It is a loaner and I have been entrusted with cleaning it up. I am told it is an original. Seeing that it has the red caps i am assuming this is a group 24? There is a 24R on the RH side of the label in the middle row if you blow this picture up.

How should I go about cleaning it up? i was thinking baking soda and water to neutralize the old acid on the case applied with a brush. I'm thinking of taking the caps off and putting them into a small cup with the same solution. For the case I am thinking to use Back to Black as I have had good results making old black plastic look very nice using this product. Any suggestions or helpful tips would be appreciated.

[68 S Code]

Dont know if a close-up of the label will help determine if this is in fact an original battery.

[J_Speegle]

Dont know if a close-up of the label will help determine if this is in fact an original battery.

Tag will not help allot IMHO - look at the bottom of the case for a circle with a set of numbers in it and report back.

[68 S Code]

I'll check into that and report with findings. Could not wait til tomorrow so here goes.

On Bottom of case there are 3 circles. One is black, the one closest to center has a raised 5 in it and the last circle has 967P stamped into it. There is also a indented rectangle approx 3 1/2" long and 1/2" tall with raised script in it. Eye sight not so good and couldn't locate a magnifying glass. Two rows of wording.

If the battery is mounted with the negative post towards the core support and the positive post towards the solenoid then the raised "Autolite", sta-ful, vibration guarded, would actually be on the back side pointing at the apron. The visible side next to radiator would just be a blank face with a crosshatch pattern if memory serves me.

The end face of the case next to Negative terminal also has raised larger script stating "55 Ampers Hours" and below it in the same font and size "66 Plates"

That's all i could see in my 5 minute inspection.

[Bob Gaines]

Dont know if a close-up of the label will help determine if this is in fact an original battery.

From the pictures you have shown it appears to be a used up older repro battery. When they first came out they used the 9AA on the tag. The white and red tag on the terminal was a warning tag that wasn't used until the eighties I think . It is not period correct but a lot of people leave them on thinking that since they came with the battery that they are also vintage. It was a liability issue and had to be included. A more appropriate date coded sticker can be purchased  from ECS website or NPD. A lot of cleaning alternatives . The case is tough and can take a lot aggressive cleaners.

[Bob Gaines]

I'll check into that and report with findings. Could not wait til tomorrow so here goes.

On Bottom of case there are 3 circles. One is black, the one closest to center has a raised 5 in it and the last circle has 967P stamped into it. There is also a indented rectangle approx 3 1/2" long and 1/2" tall with raised script in it. Eye sight not so good and couldn't locate a magnifying glass. Two rows of wording.

If the battery is mounted with the negative post towards the core support and the positive post towards the solenoid then the raised "Autolite", sta-ful, vibration guarded, would actually be on the back side pointing at the apron. The visible side next to radiator would just be a blank face with a crosshatch pattern if memory serves me.

The end face of the case next to Negative terminal also has raised larger script stating "55 Ampers Hours" and below it in the same font and size "66 Plates"

That's all i could see in my 5 minute inspection.

Those numbers and letters on the bottom confirm a repro.

[68 S Code]

Well I guess it will have to do for this weekend. The 967P had me thinking that maybe it was a 67 September battery but I have no experience with original batteries. I'll leave the tag off this weekend. It will be better than the interstate for static display. ThAnks for the help.

[J_Speegle]

Well I guess it will have to do for this weekend. The 967P had me thinking that maybe it was a 67 September battery ................

That's why we ask questions

Here is an example from a 68 battery