Reference: Ford CMP Truck- Battery Holder plans

[Jacques Reed]

Sometimes it pays to procrastinate:

As the guy who was going to fold up my battery holder was away last week I started thinking how was I going to drill the 12 holes for the stud plates accurately?
I had originally thought I would drill them after folding the steel but it really makes no difference in what order they were done.

Marking out is one thing, and then there is getting the centre punch right on target, and then there is getting the piece right under the drill point on the drill press. Lots of variables.

Removed one variable- bought an $8 automatic centre punch. Best $8 I ever spent for the shop. Beats a hand centre punch anyday- and saves fingers!

Marking out- to avoid errors working with small distances (3/4"), and laying out 12 of them I had an idea. I layed out the position of the holes on a sheet of paper but at double the scale. Now they were 1-1/2" apart. Ditto for the position from the bottom mould line. I then used my copier and reduced the copy to 50% and checked the distances- all were spot on. Thanks Canon.
Glued the copy to the sheetmetal, centre punched the holes, drilled pilot hole, then final hole. Checked holes afterwards and I would say all are within position by less than 0.010". It should avoid having to elongate holes to fit if I ever find original stud plates to rivet to it.

Note the other handy hint I use for centering a drill at the punch mark. I use a small Dremel engraving burr to position the chuck at the punch mark. I then remove it and replace it with the drill bit(s). Lot easier for these tired 63 year old eyes!

Regards,

[Jacques Reed]

Here is the almost finished holder. Just got it back from the fabricator.
Next step is getting the hold down studs for it.

Have spoken with a blacksmith who thinks he can rough out two for me for a reasonable cost and I will thread, grind and file them to shape.

Once I meet him this week and show him an example I will have a better feel for his idea of "reasonable cost". If too expensive, I will just fabricate them from a bolt minus its head welded to a plate. he is a decorative iron blacksmith so I hope his prices aren't to decorated.

The other option is I might find a scrapped holder to salvage the studs from, but after 20 years of looking for one I don't like my chances. Can anyone help me out?

Brgds,

[Private_collector]

Jacques,

What timeframe are you needing for the sourcing of battery box bolts?
PB150006.JPG
I know a fellow who may be able to provide a pair, but I need to go & look for them. I wouldn't be able to go there for another 2 weeks. The above photo shows my step assembly & battery tray, which came from the same place. I had literally tripped over it while searching for another part. It cost me $10 from memory. I'm happy to go see this fellow and look for you. It's been a while since I last saw him, so it's an averdue visit anyway

Battery Hold Down Bolts 1.jpg
Not sure if I had posted this photo. Just in case.

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Tony,

That would be great if you could find a set for me. I'm in no hurry so any time is OK. One thing I have learnt over the years with the restoration is patience.
Good luck with the hunt for me.

Brgds,

Jacques