squarebird battery

[tarps3]

This is sort of a low-tech question:

I'm looking to replace the battery for my '60 TBird and wanted to see if others had any recommendations.

I'd like a battery that at least came close to fitting on the tray properly (most new ones are too short in length and boxy).

But, I don't want to spend a ton of money for a concours-correct show-car battery.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Casey
'60 hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: squarebird battery

The stock battery was group 27 with an optional group 29 battery for our Squarebirds. http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/prod01.htm

I have used group 56 which is for a 1986 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with the stock group 27 hold down bracket. A group 24F will fit in a pinch also, though it is hard to hold down with the stock battery bracket. I put an extra metal strap across the bracket to make it work with this size.

This page has a great chart on battery sizes: http://www.rtpnet.org/~teaa/bcigroup.html .

Some great facts on batteries can found here: http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/...4.htm#concrete .

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: squarebird battery

that's good stuff!
thanks Alexander.

Casey

[tmjsong1aolcom]

RE: squarebird battery

I realize you do not want to spend a lot of money but I am currently using these new gel batteries for several reasons.
1) no more acid leakage and corroding of my battery tray and terminals.
2) longer life of the battery itself.
3) no discharge when not in use. Have not confirmed this one yet as factual.

Yes they run in the $125 range but I am after the above first.

Good Luck
Fuz
58's&64's

[Thunderhans]

RE: squarebird battery

>The stock battery was group 27 with an optional group 29
>battery for our Squarebirds.


Since I live in the Netherlands, the group 27 or 29 does not ring a bell. Can anywone inform me which AH rating is required? I just bought a 74 AH battery and hope it has enough capacity. (Car is not running yet).

Hans
1959 Hardtop
430 ci

[Thunderhans]

RE: squarebird battery

I found out that the group size only refers to the battery dimensions.

"An internationally adopted (BCI) group number (24, 27, 31, etc.) is based on the physical case size, terminal placement and terminal polarity. Within a group, the RC ratings, warranty and battery type will vary in models of the same brand or from brand to brand."

So, the installing e.g. a group 27 battery does not give a guarantee that the battery is powerfull enough!

This puzzles me, considering the discussion above. How can you be sure that you get the correct battery? I think you need to know the Ah (starting and/or continuous) rating of the battery as well.

Hans
1959 Hardtop
430 ci

[Alexander]

RE: squarebird battery

Battery technology has improved in some respects since 1960. A battery today of similar size to one made in 1960 has far more cold cranking amps and reserve capacity than a battery made in 1960. If a new battery fits the battery tray of a Squarebird, it will start it.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Thunderhans]

RE: squarebird battery

Not much of a scientific approax, huh?

Anyway, I will find out in practice if my 74 Ah battery will do the job.

Hans
1959 Hardtop
430 ci