MTFCA Forum

I know this is almost as bad as asking the oil question but I noticed that the battery cage on my 26/7 touring had the top part bracket disconnected from the frame on one side. When I put it back I noticed that the cage will only accept a battery about size 9 3/4 wide. Is there a 6 volt battery that will fit. I think the last guy who ran the car must have unbolted the bracket to fit the battery.

modern 6 volt car battery available at the usual automotive stores and tractor supplies.

Group 1 top post 6 volt. You will have to add a spacer board on the bottom so the clamps hold it down.

I use Optima batteries these days, but a regular 6V battery will fit. However, there are two sizes I have found available at auto parts stores & tractor supply stores. You need the smaller one.

6 volt Optima red top, 800 cold crank amps, never any maintenance, as no water needed.
Smaller and much lighter than any lead/acid battery. Lasts years and years.


Just make a simple side board box, or wood base, to hold the narrow battery upright.
Will fit into repro battery box if you want to hide it, this one still going strong, 2014 purchase date, today it's giving great service.

I use 6 volt Optima’s in my three 6 volt cars - just retired the Optima dated 2004 in my ‘40 0lds sedan - six cylinder flattie was starting to turn slow.

I too would run 6volt Optimas in all my cars, if I could afford it. I share one battery between 3 cars. I really hate having to pay almost as much for a 6volt one as it costs for a 12 volt one with twice as many cells.

Allan from down under.

Optima 12 volt

6V Red Top Optima

Thanks everyone. Didn't know they made them in different sizes. The car has a block of wood already.

Well, it's true you only get 3 cells with a 6 volt battery... but they're BIG cells!

Mopar_man wrote: ↑

Thu May 06, 2021 10:02 pm

Thanks everyone. Didn't know they made them in different sizes. The car has a block of wood already.

The battery size, except for Optima, is a Group 1
Specifications:
Cold cranking amps relates to how much power the battery is capable of delivering in relatively-short bursts. Important for cold weather starting
Reserve capacity relates to how a battery can deliver energy over an extended period of time. For example, if the charging system fails, the battery will power your headlights, windshield wipers, electric pumps and other electric accessories that are needed for a specified time.
Deep Cycle batteries are constructed using thicker battery plates and a denser active material, to withstand repeated charge and discharge cycles. A most for golf carts and boats.
now made in Mexico.
Optima RedTop 6 volt now made in Mexico.
The Red Top series is purpose built for powerful cold starting in applications without heavy running electronic accessory needs — usually the best choice of the three for stock replacement in applications where extra durability and long life are key. These are especially helpful in cold climates and for diesels for Optima’s highest initial cranking power to be able to start reliably every time.
Optima YellowTop: no 6 volt
Optima BlueTop: no 6 volt

12 volt lawnmower battery mounted under the rear seat (1911). About $23 on sale at NAPA. Recharge as neccessary. Cheers Bill

We did it for looks...

I have a perfect reproduction of an original Ford Battery box. I'm using a group 1 battery from Auto Zone. I had to put a piece of 1/4" plywood in the bottom to bring the battery up to the required height. I think I also had to put another piece of 1/4" plywood on each side of the battery so it would be snug inside the box. I'm also using a pair of handles I had to fabricate to support the Ford lid, which is a genuine original. This way, the appearance of the battery is identical as it would have been in 1925.

Thanks again everyone..

My free Optima is still working fine. I use 6V tractor batteries in some and 12V motorcycle in others for ignition only.

Larry, I had the same set-up in my 24 tourer, until I had an electrical problem. Getting the floorboards out, the battery cover hold down clamps off and the lid out of the way before I could disconnect the battery, meant I could have lost the T in a fire. I now have a battery isolating switch and have left the battery box cover on the shelf, which is what I suspect happened with many of the originals.

Allan from down under.