The Ford Barn

39portlander · 10-30-2011, 05:25 PM

Looking to get a battery for the 39 and the battery that came with it was nice and short and about 550 CCA. Is this an average CCA for a flathead? Looked @ some short motorcraft's to keep the cables the short length they are now. Any input would be great.

Walt Dupont--Me. · 10-30-2011, 05:43 PM

Scott, I learned yr's ago, I get the most cca batt that I can fit in my batt box. Walt

Lawrie · 10-30-2011, 06:26 PM

Scott, take my advise and get an optima,I had a big 6v lead acid one in my 33 and have just fitted a 6v optima, it spins it over great,I had to make a holder,but it is a lot smaller than the old lead acid type.
Lawrie

Ford46 · 10-30-2011, 07:36 PM

I agree with you, Lawrie. He will be a happy man as the colder weather settles in up in Maine (or is it down in Maine?) Optima might be a bit more expensive, however, worth the investment. ..LouB.

Ken Crans · 10-30-2011, 08:10 PM

I got a 6 volt Optima w/700 CCA. Using 00 cables and it's spins the starter pretty fast. Ken

ford38v8 · 10-30-2011, 09:54 PM

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Ken, the Optima 6v is rated at 800 CCA. Your 00 cables are good.

hombres ruin · 11-01-2011, 12:38 AM

I want to try optima for my 50 shoebox with a 12v conversion. What optima would be the best ? I have a Mallory magnetic breakerless ignition as well. Don't Know much about optima and cranking amps, any help would be great.

ford38v8 · 11-01-2011, 01:20 AM

hombre, in my opinion, the Optima 6v is the best choice of all available 6v batteries. When it comes to 12v batteries, there are many more good choices. Of those, I like the Sears Diehard.

hombres ruin · 11-01-2011, 09:50 AM

So optima really don't make a good 12v battery?

ford38v8 · 11-01-2011, 11:01 AM

Hombre, That's not exactly what I meant. I meant only that there are many 12v batteries to choose from, and I like the Diehard. Yes, I also have some Optima 12v batteries, and don't have problems with them.

hombres ruin · 11-01-2011, 12:04 PM

Thanks Alan. What optima would you recommend for the flathead .. Red top or yellow top. I want good cranking and starting

ford38v8 · 11-01-2011, 02:57 PM

Red Top. Care for it by never using a fast charge, trickle charge, or battery tender. Use a 2 amp automatic shut off charger, the El Cheapo kind. Your Optima will love you for it.

hombres ruin · 11-01-2011, 09:45 PM

Does the optima always need a battery tender? Can you go without one?

ford38v8 · 11-02-2011, 01:09 AM

No, I said do not use those things you use with a wet battery. You'll only need to charge it the first time, unless it is charged when you get it. Don't use any charger except a 2 amp auto shut-off.

Gumpy · 11-02-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39portlander

Looking to get a battery for the 39 and the battery that came with it was nice and short and about 550 CCA. Is this an average CCA for a flathead? Looked @ some short motorcraft's to keep the cables the short length they are now. Any input would be great.

to answer your question the old rule of thumb to cold cranking amps is 1 cca per cubic inch....if you have a 239 ci flathead you need at least 239...i prefer lead acid batteries that aren't permanently sealed....just my 2 cents...gump

Scott De Shields · 11-02-2011, 09:04 AM

I bet you could find someone that makes a plastic box that looks like an older 6 volt battery case that will hold the smaller Optima and will use the stock bolt down bracket.

10-30-2011, 05:25 PM	#1
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Looking to get a battery for the 39 and the battery that came with it was nice and short and about 550 CCA. Is this an average CCA for a flathead? Looked @ some short motorcraft's to keep the cables the short length they are now. Any input would be great.

10-30-2011, 05:43 PM	#2
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Scott, I learned yr's ago, I get the most cca batt that I can fit in my batt box. Walt

10-30-2011, 06:26 PM	#3
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,215	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Scott, take my advise and get an optima,I had a big 6v lead acid one in my 33 and have just fitted a 6v optima, it spins it over great,I had to make a holder,but it is a lot smaller than the old lead acid type. Lawrie

10-30-2011, 07:36 PM	#4
Ford46 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern, MA Posts: 434	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 I agree with you, Lawrie. He will be a happy man as the colder weather settles in up in Maine (or is it down in Maine?) Optima might be a bit more expensive, however, worth the investment. ..LouB.

10-30-2011, 08:10 PM	#5
Ken Crans Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Highland,MI Posts: 1,196	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 I got a 6 volt Optima w/700 CCA. Using 00 cables and it's spins the starter pretty fast. Ken

10-30-2011, 09:54 PM	#6
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ken, the Optima 6v is rated at 800 CCA. Your 00 cables are good. __________________ Alan

11-01-2011, 12:38 AM	#7
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 I want to try optima for my 50 shoebox with a 12v conversion. What optima would be the best ? I have a Mallory magnetic breakerless ignition as well. Don't Know much about optima and cranking amps, any help would be great. __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

11-01-2011, 01:20 AM	#8
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 hombre, in my opinion, the Optima 6v is the best choice of all available 6v batteries. When it comes to 12v batteries, there are many more good choices. Of those, I like the Sears Diehard. __________________ Alan

11-01-2011, 09:50 AM	#9
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 So optima really don't make a good 12v battery? __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

11-01-2011, 11:01 AM	#10
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Hombre, That's not exactly what I meant. I meant only that there are many 12v batteries to choose from, and I like the Diehard. Yes, I also have some Optima 12v batteries, and don't have problems with them. __________________ Alan

11-01-2011, 12:04 PM	#11
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Thanks Alan. What optima would you recommend for the flathead .. Red top or yellow top. I want good cranking and starting __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

11-01-2011, 02:57 PM	#12
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Red Top. Care for it by never using a fast charge, trickle charge, or battery tender. Use a 2 amp automatic shut off charger, the El Cheapo kind. Your Optima will love you for it. __________________ Alan

11-01-2011, 09:45 PM	#13
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 Does the optima always need a battery tender? Can you go without one? __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

11-02-2011, 01:09 AM	#14
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 No, I said do not use those things you use with a wet battery. You'll only need to charge it the first time, unless it is charged when you get it. Don't use any charger except a 2 amp auto shut-off. __________________ Alan

11-02-2011, 09:04 AM	#16
Scott De Shields Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Monica CA Posts: 157	Re: Cold cranking amp's for a V8 I bet you could find someone that makes a plastic box that looks like an older 6 volt battery case that will hold the smaller Optima and will use the stock bolt down bracket.