MTFCA Forum

If using a battery box with a 26-27 improved car(coupe) what battery carrier assembly (the one riveted to the frame) is supposed to be used? The bottom strap on my original in my coupe, rusted out years ago, and the bottom strap was replaced with a non-authentic replacement that was welded in. Lang's lists a battery carrier (part 5051-A), but specifies that it is NOT for use with a battery box. Snyder's lists a carrier under the same number but does NOT specify that it CANNOT be used with a battery box. I have one of Larry Smith's battery boxes which I want to use, but what carrier assembly do I need and where can I get one, if not from Lang's or Snyder's?

Terry, you mentioned that the battery carrier is riveted to the frame. I'd heard that before, but our Canadian sourced cars had carriers bolted in place with 3/8" fine thread bolts with the usual castellated nuts. The frame rails are punched with 3 holes on each side, so the carrier can be fitted with the battery on either side. But it can't be fitted on the right because of the exhaust pipe. It has been suggested that all the frame rails we have were punched for LHD and RHD components, and they didn't become left or right rails until they were pressed into their U shape.
Perhaps the best way out for you is to replace the 2" x 1/8" strap which goes under your existing frame. That way you know it will fit.

Allan from down under.

I bought a battery box from Lang’s and it fits my 26 Fordor battery carrier perfectly.

My '27 battery holder was also rusted through. I bought a replacement from Lang's and it was identical to the original. I later welded in a piece of steel where the original had rusted and bolted it back in. I don't want to turn my T into George Washington's axe (It has had three new handles, a new head and two replacement wedges), so I decided to have as much of the car as it left the factory as possible. It would be nice if I could replace the two original rivets, but whether I leave the bolts or install new rivets, it still won't be original, so I'll leave the bolts.

I'm only speculating here, but I doubt if the battery carriers were always riveted. I know by 1925 they were attached with two rivets. The ground strap still needs a bolt. Originals are quite easy to find. I would be tempted to go that route.

I have 1/2 a dozen hanging in the container - shipping would be crazy due to it's odd shape !

they are riveted on my 26 frame

In a way, what the Canadians did to accommodate L & RHD cars to be made on the same frame makes good sense. The frame blanks were all the same, the pressed channels were all the same so all the frames were the same. With US production being all LHD, all frames were the same, so riveting in the battery carrier was most likely quicker and less expensive than bolting it in. I presume there is one bolt on the left for the earth strap, and a rivet at the other two locations. Are the rivets the usual 1/4" size used elsewhere on the frame?

Allan from down under.