The Ford Barn

Flathead Fever · 11-11-2025, 03:11 AM

I'm going with the Optima. I bought one three years ago and set it on the running board of my Moiled A to install. Then I had a stroke. It's been sitting there ever since. I checked it and it still has a full charge. No liquid filled battery would have ever survived. Regular batteries y don't do well when they are not regularly used and charged. I maintained a fleet of 400 vehicles for 30 years. I can't imagine how many batteries I replaced over the years, Vehicles with new batteries that set for around for a year without use usually did not come back to life, they would not hold a charge. The extra cost of an Optima is well woth it for a collector car that doesn't get used that often. I have a 66 GT-350, I would not want to put a Optima in the Shelby because it's in plain sight with the hood open but it's perfect for a Model A where its under the floor board.

Robert/Texas · 11-11-2025, 08:47 AM

Many thanks for all of your suggestions. I heard some time ago that the Mexican Optima batteries didn't last well but I'm glad to hear that they now do. I now plan to replace my old one for a new Optima and hope that I can salvage the disguise case. The car resides in my country place 95 miles from here and it will be a while until I'm able to get there.

Scotty's 52 F3 · 11-11-2025, 03:44 PM

I had many Optima batteries go well over 10 years and worried about the quality when they moved production to Mexico.

The most recent Optima battery I bought was in 2017, made in Mexico and is still going strong.

Good luck with your car!

tubman · 11-11-2025, 03:48 PM

I've posted this before :

"Johnson Controls moved their Optima manufacturing to Mexico about 20 years ago. They had some initial problems but everything has been fine since. One of their VP's was on the H.A.M.B. at the time and kept us apprised of what was going on. I was impressed at how they handled it."

azlkk · 11-11-2025, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Been there, did that. But that was in the 1970s, now that I'm in the '70s I'm not sure if I'm interested in doing that or that I still can.

Robert/Texas · 11-18-2025, 01:01 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks again to all of you. I just got to my country place and removed the Optima battery in the disguise case. The case is in good condition, so I plan to buy a new Optima 6-volt battery to replace it. I'm 91 now so it might well survive me.

Robert/Texas · 11-24-2025, 09:44 AM

I just got the Optima battery yesterday from Amazon, just under $288 including Texas sales tax. My wife and I installed it and the engine which hasn't been running for 6 months or so fired right up. The tank had several gallons of e-free in it and I'm sure that helped. We took it on about a 3-mile ride looking for deer but only saw 3. It's hunting season here and they're always wary this time of year.

Thanks again for your help and encouragement.

11-11-2025, 03:11 AM	#21
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: Battery Suggestion I'm going with the Optima. I bought one three years ago and set it on the running board of my Moiled A to install. Then I had a stroke. It's been sitting there ever since. I checked it and it still has a full charge. No liquid filled battery would have ever survived. Regular batteries y don't do well when they are not regularly used and charged. I maintained a fleet of 400 vehicles for 30 years. I can't imagine how many batteries I replaced over the years, Vehicles with new batteries that set for around for a year without use usually did not come back to life, they would not hold a charge. The extra cost of an Optima is well woth it for a collector car that doesn't get used that often. I have a 66 GT-350, I would not want to put a Optima in the Shelby because it's in plain sight with the hood open but it's perfect for a Model A where its under the floor board.

11-11-2025, 08:47 AM	#22
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 770	Re: Battery Suggestion Many thanks for all of your suggestions. I heard some time ago that the Mexican Optima batteries didn't last well but I'm glad to hear that they now do. I now plan to replace my old one for a new Optima and hope that I can salvage the disguise case. The car resides in my country place 95 miles from here and it will be a while until I'm able to get there.

11-11-2025, 03:44 PM	#23
Scotty's 52 F3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Marana, AZ. Posts: 482	Re: Battery Suggestion I had many Optima batteries go well over 10 years and worried about the quality when they moved production to Mexico. The most recent Optima battery I bought was in 2017, made in Mexico and is still going strong. Good luck with your car!

11-11-2025, 03:48 PM	#24
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: Battery Suggestion I've posted this before : "Johnson Controls moved their Optima manufacturing to Mexico about 20 years ago. They had some initial problems but everything has been fine since. One of their VP's was on the H.A.M.B. at the time and kept us apprised of what was going on. I was impressed at how they handled it."

11-18-2025, 01:01 PM	#26
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 770	Re: Battery Suggestion Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks again to all of you. I just got to my country place and removed the Optima battery in the disguise case. The case is in good condition, so I plan to buy a new Optima 6-volt battery to replace it. I'm 91 now so it might well survive me.

11-24-2025, 09:44 AM	#27
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 770	Re: Battery Suggestion I just got the Optima battery yesterday from Amazon, just under $288 including Texas sales tax. My wife and I installed it and the engine which hasn't been running for 6 months or so fired right up. The tank had several gallons of e-free in it and I'm sure that helped. We took it on about a 3-mile ride looking for deer but only saw 3. It's hunting season here and they're always wary this time of year. Thanks again for your help and encouragement.