Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

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Here are pics of my hold-down, which looks much like yours. The exact dimension across the inside is 4-1/8", and my NAPA 7248 battery is 4-1/4". Maybe manufacturing tolerances were not that precise back then.

Still, I need to modify the battery to get it to fit, or buy another battery.

I'll grind the battery a little before spending $135 on the exact fit with less cranking power.

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FWIW I just removed the two long straps from the inside of the end caps and attached them to the outside of the end caps and problem solved. Packardtaximan

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Yes, Roger, I thought of doing that. Think I'd rather modify the wrong battery- 1/16" on each side should do it.

Interesting how JD's is a little wider than ours.

The only thing I can come up with is that the 22nd and 23rd series Customs had a 17 plate battery as opposed to the 15 plate battery used on the other models. Since I have a 4 1/4 inch wide hold-down on both my Customs, I have to wonder if the Parts Manual is in error. The manual shows the same 'Retainer Assembly' (P/N 373007) used on all models except the hearse/ambulance. A different part number (403023) is shown for the hearse/ambulance and it would seem logical that those models would use the heavier duty battery.

So... are there any other Custom owners out there that have a factory hold-down to measure? If they also come up with 4 1/4 inch width, then I think the mystery is solved and we can put something useful in the XREF so folks can get the right battery for their application.

For what it's worth, my 47 Custom is 4 1/8.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to check. Unfortunately, the Owners Manual for '47 doesn't mention battery differences between models at all and the 1941-1947 Clipper Parts Manual lists the 373007 as the only hold-down option.

Battery specs appear to have the same differences between models 21-22 series.

I don't find any decent pictures of an old battery but am wondering about battery construction then vs now. It seems to me the cases then were hard rubber and batteries were finished off with pitch or tar over the cells to complete the top. Sides were smooth and don't remember for sure but don't think there was a lip over the bottom section. I would wonder if the plate difference might have all been internal via a filler instead of plates on the lower capacity battery with the case size being the same.

Haven't seen any Napa batteries but is the construction the same or don't most batteries today use a thin sided bottom shell with a thicker top having a lip which fits over the sides. If that's true, possibly the lip (with the molded in nibs) is what's causing the issue.

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Hi your my fin hero ! Im soursing a set of 53 's for my 52

I got a NAPA 7202 for my 52 200 car ,I split the battery tray in 1/2 sideways to make up for the extra legnth ,and added a plate below it .but it looks right ,its a 1000 cch forklift battery that was closest to the original cch for the 52 ,as soon as I put that in I ve had no cranking problems and no pesky hot start problems ,
the car didnt use to like to start after it was even warm before and I went through the same deal with the serial batteries and starters etc.The starters fry running hot from the low voltage start tries from the too small battery
was the 288 head mod worth the time and expence for the 327 ??

Thanks for the batt info. I'm ghoing to look into that Napa 7202. I assume it's a 6 volt ?

As far as the 288 head on my 327.....that's the way I bought the car. I was confused when I first got it and was doing the numbers research. Once I found the engine sn and asked the question here on the forum, I was relieved that the 288 head was in fact a "performance" mod, regardless of how minor it was. As far as being an involved upgrade, It's a direct bolt on replacement. No big deal.

Going back to my starting issues...I'm having my starter rebuilt, I'm rebuilding the mechanical fuel pump which will allow my 6 volt electric fuel pump to be the primer for the mechanical and.......I am buying a freshly rebuilt carb from another forum member here. The only thing left in the system after doing all the above, would be the distributor even though mine looks to be in proper working order. Looks to be and actually is.....is left to be determined....LOL

HotRod