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Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 5:57 pm
by MY63COMET
OK, so I was diddling around with my 63' today, checking fluids, topping off and cleaning the battery, removing the two a
original horns (ordered new ones).
I noticed there was nothing holding the battery in place. I believe I have an original battery tray (see photos), but the battery I'm sure is a lot smaller than an original.
I'm assuming I need the battery hold down clamp (pictured). Does the bolt from the hold down clamp fit into the key hole shaped hole on the tray to accommodate the smaller battery?
Thanks again for any help.
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:26 pm
by Joe Travers
The hold down bracket you have pictured looks like the original that held the larger Autolite battery when new.
I haven't found a battery the same dimensions made now & my bracket is non-functional.
Maybe someone will post w/ more info on this.
Joe
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 10:06 pm
by MY63COMET
Joe Travers wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:26 pm
The hold down bracket you have pictured looks like the original that held the larger Autolite battery when new.
I haven't found a battery the same dimensions made now & my bracket is non-functional.
Maybe someone will post w/ more info on this.
Joe
I was thinking maybe the hold down clamp would be mounted to the closer key hole opening for a smaller battery, and the further key hole opening for the larger battery?
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:22 am
by Caveman49
I’d say if it fits and locks down on the battery, use it. By the way, nice looking car
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 9:33 am
by MY63COMET
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 11:53 am
by Joe Travers
That's different than the stock tray. Looks like it will take the tie down rods like later model cars.
Then you can fit an assortment of battery sizes. Good find
Joe
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:17 pm
by MY63COMET
Joe Travers wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 11:53 am
That's different than the stock tray. Looks like it will take the tie down rods like later model cars.
Then you can fit an assortment of battery sizes. Good find
Joe
Thanks Joe.
I’m learning.
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:32 pm
by Caveman49
Yeah that is a good find. My question is, does the tray bolt in, or will it need some welding? If it just unbolts that’s great.
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 2:01 pm
by poboyjo65
If you want to go to the other type here is a conversion bar that would be easier to mount,just bolts down. or you could make one like really easy;
https://www.cjponyparts.com/battery-tra ... 66/p/BTCB/
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 6:55 pm
by Boss/Cyclone
I went to Walmart and found a battery for my 66 Mustang with the little tab on the side of the battery to lock it in. They are getting harder and harder to find, so I put the tray with the 67 style tabs in my Cyclone so I could clap it in good.
https://www.npdlink.com/product/battery ... &year=1966
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:15 pm
by MY63COMET
I’m still trying to figure out how that bar mounts.
That will work on my stock battery tray?
I hate to ask this but would you be able to post a picture or two of it on your battery?
Thanks so much,
Doug
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:19 pm
by MY63COMET
Boss/Cyclone wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 6:55 pm
I went to Walmart and found a battery for my 66 Mustang with the little tab on the side of the battery to lock it in. They are getting harder and harder to find, so I put the tray with the 67 style tabs in my Cyclone so I could clap it in good.
https://www.npdlink.com/product/battery ... &year=1966
I have one of those batteries with the tabs along the bottom.
I think that tray you posted the link to looks like the same tray I posted a link to, but yours is a WAY better price.
$12 vs. $50. Nice find!
Thanks for you post,
Doug
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 3:09 am
by poboyjo65
MY63COMET wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:15 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how that bar mounts.
That will work on my stock battery tray?
I hate to ask this but would you be able to post a picture or two of it on your battery?
Thanks so much,
Doug
this is one of the other style;
https://www.cjponyparts.com/battery-hol ... 0/p/BTC3K/
the bracket may not even fit a comet tray without redrilling something. But it just bolts to the tray ,goes under the battery to hook the J rods to & wing nuts at top w/& another piece across top of the battery . usually can find a universal one of these type at most parts houses.
a pic of mine wouldn't do you any good because I changed it all around. I used a later stang tray turned 90° for more room for a wider radiator. so I only used one j rod that hooks into the tray & I altered the bracket across the top of the battery to screw to the apron on the other side.
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:18 am
by MY63COMET
poboyjo65 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 3:09 am
MY63COMET wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:15 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how that bar mounts.
That will work on my stock battery tray?
I hate to ask this but would you be able to post a picture or two of it on your battery?
Thanks so much,
Doug
this is one of the other style;
https://www.cjponyparts.com/battery-hol ... 0/p/BTC3K/
the bracket may not even fit a comet tray without redrilling something. But it just bolts to the tray ,goes under the battery to hook the J rods to & wing nuts at top w/& another piece across top of the battery . usually can find a universal one of these type at most parts houses.
a pic of mine wouldn't do you any good because I changed it all around. I used a later stang tray turned 90° for more room for a wider radiator. so I only used one j rod that hooks into the tray & I altered the bracket across the top of the battery to screw to the apron on the other side.
OK, now I understand. Once you sais that it "goes UNDER the battery" a light finally went off in my head. I kept thinking it went on top some way. Duh!
Thanks so much for your help.
Re: Battery Tray & Hold Down
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:21 am
by Joe Travers
MY63COMET wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 10:06 pm
I was thinking maybe the hold down clamp would be mounted to the closer key hole opening for a smaller battery, and the further key hole opening for the larger battery?
You're correct on that one. The bolt & clamp will work in the other hole if the battery has a lip for it and it fits.
Shove the battery toward the rad support and see if it will work. The clamping edge is 1" from the CL of the carriage bolt.
Joe
