Battery size questions

qbui · Oct 13, 2013

Hello,
I have a 69 Mustang Convertible 302. Noticed when I was doing a little work on my car couple days ago and had the radio running for about half hour, when I went to start up the car, she would not turn over at all. Had to jump her with my other car. Been noticing past few weeks that it's a little harder to turn her over when the engine is cold. Battery says 2006 on it so it's probably on its way out even though it's a weekend car for prior owner and myself. Checked online and saw that for my car, I should get Group 24 but then noticed there's Group 24 and 24F. What's the difference or it doesn't matter? Also, does it matter what the name is on the battery if the warranty is decent? Thinking of maybe picking up a battery from Costco since they stand behind the warranty but they carry a Group 25.

Thanks!

22GT · Oct 13, 2013

The 24F has the battery posts located correctly for your Ford car. The 24 does not.

qbui · Oct 13, 2013

Thanks!

slim · Oct 13, 2013

24F. Used to be the most popular size. You could go to Farm and Fleet they'd have 50 on the shelf with various ratings!

qbui · Oct 13, 2013

Thanks but no Farm and Fleet in my state.

slim · Oct 13, 2013

Sorry that was more of a smart A comment than a recommendation. See from 56 to the mid 70s most Fords (Ford, Merc, Torino, Maverick, Granada, Mustang) yada yada used 24F. That was a lotta cars.

1969sag · Oct 13, 2013

Any battery run that long without the alternator recharging it will run down. If you are not worried about being 100% stock. I would recommend a Optima Red Top. These are great batteries and worth every penny. I have one in my mustang and have never had a problem with it in 5 years.

22GT · Oct 13, 2013

1969sag said:
Any battery run that long without the alternator recharging it will run down.

Half an hour? You're kidding, right? I can wash, polish, and wax my car all afternoon using the radio and it starts right up.

V8 Junkie · Oct 13, 2013

qbui said:
...Thinking of maybe picking up a battery from Costco since they stand behind the warranty but they carry a Group 25.

Thanks!

Will your battery hold-down clamp work with Group 25? It's a smaller battery than Group 24: BCI Battery Group Size Chart

And as 22GT said, consider the battery's post location.

That is, saving a few dollars at Costco is false economy if you have to buy longer battery cables.

OTOH, if you need new cables anyway, does the post location make a difference for your 69 vert?

Guest · Oct 13, 2013

Realize that there are 24 batteries with the posts in the middle to work in both 24 and 24F applications. Unless you are looking for a specific battery this may give you more options.

And I agree with david . . a good battery can play the radio for a long time, no harm at all.

V8 Junkie · Oct 13, 2013

qbui said:
...does it matter what the name is on the battery...

The manufacturer (not the brand name) is supposed to be on the battery's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

The MSDS should be boxed with or attached to the battery.

Too-much-related-info: Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List 2013

slim · Oct 13, 2013

I hear Walgreen's has a special on wrong size car batteries!

qbui · Oct 13, 2013

Thanks for the info. Will check the size, polarity and cable length before purchasing the new battery.

Battery size questions

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