Battery replacement suggestions

[Alamobird]

Bird would not even jump start so I replaced the battery today with another Motorcraft BXT-66-750. The battery I replaced had been installed in August 2014 by a dealer, but I noticed it had a manufacture date of March 2014. I called 3 Ford dealers and the Lincoln dealer. All had the battery in stock, but when I asked them to check the manufacture date, the latest was April 2017. The Lincoln parts manager admitted that the battery she had should have been replaced long ago. I finally ordered a new one which arrived a day later with a manufacture date of February 2019.

This is apparently a low demand item that can stay on the shelf for a long time. Buyer beware.

At the end of the day, the prorated cost for the new battery was $56.29 including sales tax. Proration was based on the original installation date, which one of the dealers had the gall to use as a reason to try to sell me a 2016 battery to install in 2019. No thank you.

[zkilo]

Well I've always used a battery tender but this year decided to take the battery out to put the tender on and, lo and behold not a vented battery. Bought the car used from a dealer in Iowa. I did not know about a vented battery. Not only not vented battery but no vent tube. My local Ford dealer had no idea what I was talking about, vented battery and tube. The Ford site lists battery and tube as no longer available. I've search the world over, via internet ( I live in a small town in Wisconsin), to no avail. Any suggestions? Is my cough Non Vented battery Lung (NVBL)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheer, Bob

[Alamobird]

Vent tube is Ford Part No.: 1W6Z-10K650-AA

Google the part number and you will find that it is discontinued, but follow the links until you find someone who appears to have the part. Call to verify before you actually order. I'd order it over the phone after the parts guy can confirm that he actually found it in the parts bin. See my previous post about buying a battery with a current manufacture date.

[HKS]

Vent tube is Ford Part No.: 1W6Z-10K650-AA

Google the part number and you will find that it is discontinued, but follow the links until you find someone who appears to have the part. Call to verify before you actually order. I'd order it over the phone after the parts guy can confirm that he actually found it in the parts bin. See my previous post about buying a battery with a current manufacture date.

You need to check on how long the battery was on the shelf at the Ford dealer. If over a year, I would not buy it.
When I asked my local dealer about shelf life of the battery, they claimed to know nothing bout when the battery came in.
HKS

[Dr Garry Kraft]

Last year I picked up a new battery for my 2003 007 at the Ford dealership. The battery manufacture date was only about three months prior before my purchase.
The gentleman at the parts department said that they sell a number of these batteries over the year. Maybe my area of the country has more 2002-2005 Birds?

[Gobird]

I'm on my fourth Motorcraft battery in 18 years. Nothing but the best.

[carntz]

I would make sure it's 12 volts

[007Cruiser]

Maybe my area of the country has more 2002-2005 Birds?

At one point we had a breakdown of sales by region. If memory serves, SoCal and Florida both sold a lot of TBirds.

Excellent color choice, Garry.

[HKS]

Last year I picked up a new battery for my 2003 007 at the Ford dealership. The battery manufacture date was only about three months prior before my purchase.
The gentleman at the parts department said that they sell a number of these batteries over the year. Maybe my area of the country has more 2002-2005 Birds?

My town probably has 3 Retrobirds and the Ford dealer does not sell a lot of those batteries. Florida and California owners can probably get fresh Tbird batteries.
So buying a Ford (dusty & scratched) battery when the parts department had no record of the battery's shelf life was not a good option for me.
HKS

[FatMan]

I would make sure it's 12 volts

A new battery should be around 14 volts, if you use a battery tender it will keep it at 14V.

[Elky64]

Don't forget Lincoln LS's use the same group 66 Battery. Part of it's spec is for a vent in a particular place. Battery builders adhere to standards and Batteries are built to these standard sizes, Called Groups. When I was a kid, the most popular were group 24 , 27 and 22 for a smaller car. To this day if you look at boat or Marine batteries you'll see #'s like 24M or 27M (that's the big boy). Anyway Group 65 is very close in size and much more popular therefor much more stocked. But depending on the mfg. may or may not have a specific vent tube outlet where a Third or LS needs it. Once the size is sorted the mfg. can create and market the battery with higher or lower specs as to cranking amps, etc.
A lot of times, batteries are sold in a hurry, whether due to impatience, or incompetence, or just trying to get someone going when the right part isn't available. So I have seen incorrect batteries installed, ' to get the guy going'. Oftimes the customer as well as the seller doesn't see a problem.
Just sayin'
Oh just remembered, In aftermarket retailing(ie, parts stores etc) batteries should be rotated by the traveling Battery Rep so that none are more than 3-4 months old. If you ask, and can wait a day, most old line parts places will charge your new battery overnight before you take it.

[007Cruiser]

Don't forget Lincoln LS's use the same group 66 Battery. Part of it's spec is for a vent in a particular place. Battery builders adhere to standards and Batteries are built to these standard sizes, Called Groups. When I was a kid, the most popular were group 24 , 27 and 22 for a smaller car. To this day if you look at boat or Marine batteries you'll see #'s like 24M or 27M (that's the big boy). Anyway Group 65 is very close in size and much more popular therefor much more stocked. But depending on the mfg. may or may not have a specific vent tube outlet where a Third or LS needs it. Once the size is sorted the mfg. can create and market the battery with higher or lower specs as to cranking amps, etc.
A lot of times, batteries are sold in a hurry, whether due to impatience, or incompetence, or just trying to get someone going when the right part isn't available. So I have seen incorrect batteries installed, ' to get the guy going'. Oftimes the customer as well as the seller doesn't see a problem.
Just sayin'
Oh just remembered, In aftermarket retailing(ie, parts stores etc) batteries should be rotated by the traveling Battery Rep so that none are more than 3-4 months old. If you ask, and can wait a day, most old line parts places will charge your new battery overnight before you take it.

Great info, Al.

[birdfan]

Had to get a new battery for the Lincoln LS last summer. Called the Lincoln dealer, didn't have one and said no longer available. I finally found one at a Ford dealer. It was the only one they had (luckily a fresh one when we checked the date code). Since I got one I didn't pursue further if they really are discontinued, but hope it isn't a sign of things to come.

[HKS]

Oh just remembered, In aftermarket retailing(ie, parts stores etc) batteries should be rotated by the traveling Battery Rep so that none are more than 3-4 months old. If you ask, and can wait a day, most old line parts places will charge your new battery overnight before you take it.
AL,
I would bet there is no such thing as rotation at the Ford dealer.
And I suspect Ford Parts assumes the dealer only orders batteries when the see a need to restock.
Let me know if I am wrong here.
HKS

[Elky64]

Up to the individual Parts manager at the particular dealership. Many take the line of least resistance and pretty strictly buy thru Ford, who doesn't rotate for them. A more marketing agressive dealer (think multi line or one who does a lot of outside repairs) may carry Interstate or a Brand like that, and those Batteries are definitely Rotated.
Also, there's nothing stopping a battery seller from charging up slow moving inventory. After all, these are batteries waiting to be sold, and sitting in a steady temperature area, and not being stressed.
While there may be some Tbird parts that become hard to find as the years go by, correct Batteries are a product that will be out there for quite a while. If someone tells you they can't get a Battery, They aren't trying very hard.