Smaller Battery

[JimCunn]

Interested in making more room for a dual mc and booster disc brake conversion on a converted 12V 55 T-Bird without moving the battery to the trunk. You guys think an Odyssey PC680 battery with modified battery holder might help?

[paul2748]

No experience with either, but an Optima or the with the same cranking power should work. Personally, a bright red batteries in a early Bird is not my cup of tea but it's your car.

If you already have power brakes, using the factory power setup can be used with a dual port master - I've seen it recommended that it be hooked to just the front brakes as they do most of the stopping.

[JimCunn]

I don't have power brakes, but would like to. My wife says I'm not as young as when I bought the car fifty-five years ago :-(

New battery could be painted black, but I'd rather stay stock battery if the booster will fit. Don't much want to move the stock battery to the trunk.

[Snow-T-Bird]

This battery is not suitable for starting a 292 c.i. engine. The standard recommendation is a battery with at least one Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) for every cubic inch of engine displacement. The Odyssey PC680 battery has only 170 CCA.

[JimCunn]

That's true, but it seems to work fine for starting my 320 c.i. Lycoming (which is what triggered me to ask the question).
Thanks for the input.

[ranchbird]

Personally I prefer manual disc brakes over power in a older car, I've done it on my 57 Ranchero and my 56 T- bird and they both stop fine without a lot of force. I used a dual m/s and have a stock size battery in the original tray in the T-bird with no problems.

[JimCunn]

Which dual m/c did you use? I also have a 67 Mustang, and it crossed my mind that the 67 Mustang dual m/c and booster might work - I'll check that out.

[ranchbird]

I'm sure the Mustang m/s would work, what I used was for a 75 Maverick.

[JimCunn]

Nice thing about trying the 67 Mustang setup is that my Mustang needs power brakes too. If it don't fit the Bird, I got another spot for it, so no money wasted.

[paul2748]

While not a TBird, I put a Granada front disc setup on my 54 Ford (don't know weight difference). Went with manual brakes and it stops very good with not a lot of foot pressure. Did put bigger brakes in the rear.