Maintaining a classic truck like a 1970 Ford F100 requires attention to detail, and one crucial component is the battery. Ensuring you have the right battery is vital for reliable starting, especially if you’re using your F100 for shows, weekend drives, or even as a daily driver. Let’s dive into selecting the optimal battery for your vintage Ford F100 and address some common electrical concerns.
Understanding the Battery Needs of a 1970 Ford F100
When it comes to your 1970 Ford F100, battery selection isn’t just about finding something that fits. You need a battery that can handle the demands of your truck, especially if it’s equipped with the original 390 V8 engine or similar powerplants common for this era. The original poster in our forum thread, johnny55, was facing this exact dilemma – needing a replacement for an exhausted battery in their 1970 Ford F100.
Recommended Battery Group Sizes
Experts in the forum quickly chimed in with valuable advice, pointing to BCI Group sizes as the key. The consensus leans towards a Group 24F battery as the primary recommendation. This size is designed to fit the battery tray of the Ford F100 and provides ample power for starting and running the vehicle’s electrical systems.
For those seeking a bit more power or живучесть, a Group 27F battery is also mentioned as a viable option. While slightly larger, it generally fits within the F100’s battery space and offers increased reserve capacity. However, as noted in the forum, these might be a little harder to source depending on your location.
A Group 35 battery is mentioned as a workable alternative, being smaller. However, it’s not an ideal fit without an adapter to secure it properly in the battery tray. This option might compromise the secure mounting of the battery, which is important for preventing movement and potential damage.
Cold Weather Considerations
Johnny55, located in Sweden, rightly pointed out the importance of cold-start capability. If you live in a region with cold winters, Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) become a critical factor. Ensure the battery you choose has a CCA rating suitable for your climate. A higher CCA rating means better starting power in freezing temperatures, which is essential for reliable operation of your 1970 Ford F100 during winter months. Battery blankets, as suggested in the forum, can also be a helpful addition in extremely cold climates to maintain battery temperature and performance.
Troubleshooting Charging Issues: Voltage Regulators and More
After replacing the battery, johnny55 encountered a common problem with classic vehicles: overcharging. The forum discussion highlighted the voltage regulator as the likely culprit when a new battery reads excessively high voltage (15.5 volts) while the engine is running.
Diagnosing the Voltage Regulator
The original blue voltage regulators used in 1970 Ford F100s are mechanical and can become unreliable over time. As Ranchero50 explained in the forum, these regulators use contacts that can wear or change their set points with age, leading to incorrect charging voltages. If you’re seeing voltages significantly above 14.5 volts while your F100 is running, a faulty voltage regulator is highly probable.
Modern Electronic Voltage Regulators: A Reliable Upgrade
The forum experts recommended upgrading to a later year electronic voltage regulator. These electronic units are more “bulletproof” and offer a plug-and-play replacement for the older mechanical versions. They provide more consistent and reliable voltage regulation, protecting your battery from overcharging and ensuring a healthy electrical system for your 1970 Ford F100. These replacements, like the one linked from CJ Pony Parts in the forum, are readily available and are a worthwhile investment for long-term reliability.
Conclusion: Battery and Charging System Health for Your Classic F100
Choosing the right battery for your 1970 Ford F100 involves considering the correct BCI Group size (24F or 27F being ideal), CCA for your climate, and ensuring your charging system is functioning correctly. If you experience overcharging issues after battery replacement, focus on diagnosing and potentially replacing your voltage regulator, ideally with a modern electronic unit. By addressing these points, you’ll keep your classic Ford F100 running reliably for years to come.
