68 Cougar Battery Question

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Maintenance Restoration and Repair
1

I’m looking to get a little more educated on the batteries they put in Cougars. Mine is a '68 J code, AC/AT/PS/PB. The battery tray (I’m 100% sure it’s original) is only 9" wide. That means a group 24 battery (at least the ones I’ve found) won’t fit in the tray. The manual says the car came with a SV22HF with a SV24F as an optional. Apparently, my car came with a group 22 battery.

My delima is this. I was all set on putting one of those correct Sta-ful batteries in the car. But, I can’t seem to find one of those in a group 22 size. I suppose I could change out the battery tray for one that will properly hold a group 24 battery… Hmmm…

Anyway, does anyone know if the make a correct group 22 battery? Or, am I just better off with a new tray and a correct group 24 battery. The car is not a daily driver, but it’s not a garage queen, either.

The engine bay restoration has been something else. About half of what I buy, that’s supposed to be correct, isn’t. And, I think this car has every one-off part Mercury used. Seems like half the stuff I run across is special.

Thanks,

Greg

2

The 24 was an option, and easier to find, so go with a battery tray change.

3

That’s what I’m going to do. Thanks.

4

Spend the extra money and go with the maintenance free version of the battery. Save you money/time and frustration in the long run not having to deal with acid leaking out and ruining the paint on the freshly restored engine compartment.

5

I will get the “updated” correct battery. They are pricey, but WTH

6

I agree to go with Group 24, but my suggestion is to get a normal, modern battery from your favorite auto parts store (making sure it has a flat top) and get one of these fake covers. It actually looks great, and you can reuse it of course. That’s what I did anyway.

Not the greatest pic, but it’s all I could find at the moment: