Time for a new battery

[cb650]

Was looking at motorcraft or optima but which ones? stock alternator in a 83 50 capri. looking for it to fit with stock hardware.

[JACook]

I don't expect you'll find an Optima that will fit the stock battery tray. The Motorcraft number you need is
BXL-56A (84 month) or BXT-56 (100 month). If you search the web for Motorcraft battery, you can usually
find a discount coupon. https://owner.ford.com/maintenance/s...nd-offers.html
Just take the coupon and your old battery to your favorite Ford dealer.

I don't believe Ford still sells the BXL-56A version, but they do still sell the BXT-56.

[mikestang63]

walmart- made by interstate

[cb650]

We bought one from wally world just to move things around and it ended up in lyns capri for now. I might use it till I decide.


Will the BXT 56 fit in the original tray? One site I looked at said it was questionable.

[Matt J]

NAPA's premier battery is one of the best rated if you buy into what Consumer Reports says (I can't think of a reason their tests aren't properly done). I think it's the blue one, not the red one. Their batteries are very good, and they'll give you the right size one that fits in the car. I'd just put one in my "84 before it got wrecked, fit perfectly.

I just checked their site, you want the "legend professional" I think the correct number is 7556, $112. Just go to the counter with your core they'll give you the right one. Make sure it's the BLUE one!

[Zap's 85 GT]

I just went through this back in July. Motorcraft no longer makes the group 56 battery. From the options available to me the best I came up with was an Interstate. It's black and blends into the engine compartment well. I have had bad luck with Walmart batteries. Maybe they have changed manufacturers in the past few years but I have not used one in about 5 years so things may have changed.

[Haystack]

I've ran the cheapest walmart battery I could get. They usually last about 3 years

[gt4494]

My battery finally went also. It was a wally world and when I took it out I discovered it was dated 2008. I put another wally world in and will see how it treats me.

[JACook]

Will the BXT 56 fit in the original tray? One site I looked at said it was questionable.

Yes the BXT-56, or any other group 56 is the original size for your '83. Should have a group 56 in there now.
The battery listings for these cars have been unreliable for years. Often they end up selling people the group
65, which is correct for an Aero Nose, but in a Four Eye it leads to a broken tray.

[cb650]

Thanks to all. Still have a week or two just getting a plan together. So far if I dont hear from the local ford dealer I will go with the napa.

[stangPlus2Birds]

I used an Optima 8025-160 battery.
My starting relay was already relocated, because I crammed my ABS in that area.
Iirc, on the battery tray, I had to do some grinding and some build-up using steel epoxy putty.

https://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batter.../dp/B000MSBU9U
Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Starting Battery
Price: $232.99

[noac]

Yes the BXT-56, or any other group 56 is the original size for your '83. Should have a group 56 in there now.
The battery listings for these cars have been unreliable for years. Often they end up selling people the group
65, which is correct for an Aero Nose, but in a Four Eye it leads to a broken tray.

Aero cars take a group 58 battery I believe.