Simply stated. My Cougar has been in the family now for 2 1/2 years. The battery came with the car. Not sure how old it is. It’s starting to give a slow crank and with colder weather thus can only go one way.
Need a new one. Have a model number to go on. Motorcraft BXL 27 F
Called my Ford dealer for giggles and that’s all I got. No go there. Called an auto parts store in NC and they have one but shipping isn’t going to cheap. Called CJ Pony Parts and they have an old style Autolite for $350+. Crazy. Looks great. Not sure it’ll fit.
I want to get a motorcraft to keep the original look.
I’ve been using Optima batteries in my cars for quite a number of years and am very satisfied with the results. They have stayed strong for years and never seem to corrode the terminals. Costco used to have them but no longer. I’ve heard Sam’s Club has them, but can’t confirm. Amazon has them with free shiping. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=optima+battery
I know this doesn’t answer your question about an original looking battery, but I’d rather spend the money on a good battery than a “good looking” battery. Seeing a modern battery in a non-concourse car doesn’t bother me a bit.
(Dirty little secret: I use Duracell batteries in my Ray-O-Vac flashlight!)
The Duralast batteries from Autozone have a yellow top and good reviews. I had one last 6 years and the replacement cost about $80. I’ve seen a dummy top for modern batteries sold by classic Mustang venders that make it look like a vintange Motorcraft. It might suit your needs at a car show. I’ve never seen it in person.
I too had some battery issues in the early going of my '68 resurrection. I finally just went to the Ford dealer and got lucky to find a guy that has built a few '60’s-70’s cars and he knew exactly what Motorcraft battery to get for me. He had it there an hour later. When I get home tonight I’ll get that model # for you. The odd thing about it is that it sits in backwards to where you can’t see the “Motorcraft” label…that is fine with me though!
Thanks for the intel guys. I’ve looked on WCCC and am aware of the stickers they have to make the battery look like original as well. I’ll be doing something soon as I need one in the very near future.
The correct battery for your car is Type 24F. A Type 27F won’t fit your battery tray.
Originally your car would have had a Type 22F. The only size reproduction battery tray available is sized to fit Type 24F, so that is the size you want.
In 69-73 the big block cars (or equipped a certain way) got the group 27.
As for where to go, I like to use maintenance free (flat top with no battery caps) Walmart Everstart batteries and put on a Autolite cover (about $45 for the better one with removable caps) from your favorite parts vendor. No one has ever noticed (and I go to A LOT of car shows!) that it was a cover over a modern (and inexpensive) battery.
Bob - I’ve never seen a replica cover for Group 27 battery, just the smaller 24… you got a link?
NPD sells the Group 27 repro battery for 250 plus shipping. http://www.npdlink.com/store/products/battery_autolite_sta_ful_group_27f-150451-0.html They are AGM, sealed, etc. I heard a rumor that they actually are Optima batteries put into the repro case, but can’t confirm that. The repro battery (or cover) makes a big difference in the look of your engine compartment, in my opinion, if that’s important to you. Mansfield sells them too. I suspect vendors have them drop-shipped from manufacturer/distributor, so shop on price unless you feel some loyalty to your favorite vendor.
Group 27 battery trays are reproduced. I believe Mansfield was impetus behind getting them made http://mansfieldmustang.com/EngineElectrical.html, but they are available from NPD and probably others.
X3 on the cover. I’ve got one of the cheap Autolite covers on my Walmart battery in my 68. As the cover ages and gets scuffed and scratched, it looks even more authentic. Lots of unsuspecting folks have questioned how I’ve kept an original battery alive for so many years.
Motorcraft was not used until late 1972, your car would have had an Autolite in it. If you do want the Motorcraft brand there are other stores that sell the brand besides a Ford dealer. I have a small local chain store here in my town that sells all the Motorcraft parts. Check around, maybe there is a store local to you too.
You are correct Rob, the 27 cover is not made due to low numbers from what I (just) read. The group 27 tray is available from many places as you guessed at.
So Bill, guess you have a choice to make. Big bucks for a repro group 27, give up on the idea of having an original looking battery and buy a modern group 27 or get a cheap group 24 and use a cover (get the good one). The last choice would involve either having a too big tray for the battery (which might be fine) or changing it out for a group 24 tray.
