Battery Hood Clearance

90GTFIVO

Active Member

Apr 28, 2011

120

15

29

Carroll, OH

Jul 17, 2013

#1

• Jul 17, 2013

• #1

I just bought a red-top Optima battery (part#: 34/78-980) and now I'm trying to figure out if I have enough hood clearance. The hood shuts fine, but I'm worried the terminals might be touching the under hood mat. Has anyone installed one of these batteries in the factory tray on their foxbody, or have any good tricks to check hood clearance? My first thought was mark the terminals with chalk and close the hood, then open up to see if there is any chalk on the mat.

FYI: the Optima battery is 0.813 inches taller than the recommended battery for my car.

 

f8tlfiveo

My wife likes my spool and blow-off valve.

Aug 8, 2007

1,585

102

64

Lancaster, PA

Jul 17, 2013

#2

• Jul 17, 2013

• #2

you could do the chalk option, i have a optima battery in mine (red top) never looked to see if it hit the hood. if it is hitting the mat it should be leaving indents in it. can you lay underneath the car with the hood shut and see up to the battery?

 

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member

Jun 10, 2013

2,029

310

124

Atlanta, Ga

Jul 17, 2013

#3

• Jul 17, 2013

• #3

tape with foam or soft something, when it sticks your at the limit

 

90GTFIVO

Active Member

Apr 28, 2011

120

15

29

Carroll, OH

Jul 17, 2013

#4

• Jul 17, 2013

• #4

Thanks for the suggestions... I'll probably try the chalk and then the foam/tape methods.

 

Saleen0679

10 Year Member

Apr 14, 2005

876

24

49

Yakima, WA

Jul 17, 2013

#5

• Jul 17, 2013

• #5

I've been running a Optima Red/Yellow 34/78 size for years without any problems in the stock battery location with a stock hood.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,356

208

114

Ohio

Jul 17, 2013

#6

• Jul 17, 2013

• #6

You could put a lump of clay on the terminals and close the hood, you will find the exact clearance by how much it is mashed down.

 

4G-KDMP

10 Year Member

Jul 23, 2005

935

19

39

CA

Jul 18, 2013

#7

• Jul 18, 2013

• #7

Saleen0679 said:

I've been running a Optima Red/Yellow 34/78 size for years without any problems in the stock battery location with a stock hood.

Click to expand...

Same here.

 

90GTFIVO

Active Member

Apr 28, 2011

120

15

29

Carroll, OH

Jul 18, 2013

#8

• Jul 18, 2013

• #8

Thanks Saleen and 4G!