PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: r4pinto on March 04, 2017, 09:38:04 AM
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Went out to my garage to start my car and found out the battery in my Pinto is junk. While I know the correct battery is a 56-3 I don't want to pay the $100+ for it currently. Any suggestions on other batteries? Hope to get a used battery for now to hold me over. Car is a 1980 4 cylinder.
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I'd think just about any 12v battery will crank a Pinto. My Mazda battery died recently and had an odd $ize battery. But a very common 24F fit with trimming the plastic tray. It is taller, but doesn't hit the hood (something to be careful about). The price was a bit cheaper and it has more cranking amps (see image). Wal Mart has batteries I believe in the $50 range. That said sometimes paying a little more gets you a better warranty. Rather than prorating a lot of batteries are now 2-3 year replacement only. I paid $90 for a Bosch but it has a 3 year free replacement.
So, get a tape measure and look on line. They list the battery sizes and you can see what will fit your Pinto. I HIGHLY recommend getting A Harbor Freight float charger for a car that isn't driven often. They are commonly on sale for $5.99. A brand new battery left to sit 6-12 months will probably be junk. I've gotten 10-12 years out of batteries I float charged. Craigslist might also be an option. I got a Mega crank 900 CCA battery off CL about three years ago for $40.
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Hi Matt!
Welcome back! Batteries have really gotten expensive the past few years. Certainly can't blame you for trying to put off purchasing a new one. Good luck in finding something suitable!
Dwayne :)
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Hi Matt!
Welcome back! Batteries have really gotten expensive the past few years. Certainly can't blame you for trying to put off purchasing a new one. Good luck in finding something suitable!
Dwayne :)
Thanks Dwayne. I haven't touched the car and focusing on the house but Spring is close and the work will start. Don't want to get an expensive battery or even pay $50 right now. Just need a temporary one to start the car until I can pay for the right one.
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I just got a battery at walmart for $49....
Works great... as posted above, almost any battery will start a pinto...
Battery prices are up because lead is more expensive. The EPA shut down the lead smelters and the big exide recycling plant in los angeles was forced out of business about 2 years ago.
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Yeah that's more than I want to spend since it is a temporary battery. I will be getting a used one but trying to find out what other ones people have used. Not looking to spend 49 on a battery when it will be a make due one until things are better with the car to where the right one for 120 makes sense
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Matt, not sure about there but there are several places around here that sell used batteries for around $30 with a 30 day warranty.
Other option might be a Pull a Part type place.
I always thought buying a used one from a private seller is risky myself.
Russ
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Matt, not sure about there but there are several places around here that sell used batteries for around $30 with a 30 day warranty.
Other option might be a Pull a Part type place.
I always thought buying a used one from a private seller is risky myself.
Russ
I agree. Won't be going with a private seller. Only reason I had the post was to get feedback on possible temporary alternatives so when I go look for a cheap used one I'd know what to look for.
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I'll add that if you drive your Pinto infrequently $5.99 in a Harbor Freight float charger is money well spent. Even a new battery left to sit for a period of time will self destroy.
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Well, I went to U Part It and checked the batteries they had and found a Honda battery with the same CCA as my old one of 585. It was priced $20, so I took a chance. Didn't see a date code but it was in decent condition. They tested it first and afterwards I had a new battery. Much better than the $110 for the right one. 52 series even fits under the battery hold down, although not as well asthe 56 series I had before.
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Matt, glad to hear you had good luck with this. I hope that trend keeps going.
Russ
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I'll add that if you drive your Pinto infrequently $5.99 in a Harbor Freight float charger is money well spent. Even a new battery left to sit for a period of time will self destroy.
I do plan on buying one of those. I don't have one currently and feel it would be money well spent. I bought the old battery in March 2011 for the 77 I used to have. Six years is a very good life for a battery, and it actually lasted a little longer than the battery that was in my 2011 Malibu. Although it wasn't completely bad when I replaced it but starting to fail.