Topic: 65-67 group 22 Autolite Battery Discussion

[jwc66k]

When in doubt, read the book.
Per the 1964 Mustang Electrical Assembly manual (AM0003) pg 11, there were three batteries used for standard assembly line Mustangs:
C3DF-10655-E, a 40 amp-hour for 170 CID I-6 engines;
C3DF-10655-G, a 55 amp-hour for 260/289 CID V-8 engines;
C3AF-10655-N, a 65 amp-hour for Regular Production Option, Z-106, V-8 engines (option Z-106 is heavy duty battery).
I'm not sure about battery filler cap colors, but I believe the 6 cylinder ones were yellow, the standard V-8 were yellow and the heavy duty were red. A green cap signified no acid had been added.
Per the 1965 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual (AM0008) pg 11, there were two batteries used for standard assembly line Mustangs (the same information is in the 1966 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual (AM0013) pg 16 for 1966):
C5AF-10655-A, a 45 amp-hour for all engines;
C5AF-10655-B, a 55 amp-hour for option Z-106 (shown as O-106), as "heavy duty battery option".
I believe the standard battery caps were yellow and the heavy duty caps were red.
See the attached chart below. The only correlation is size and amps. Prefix letters indicate cap color.
Service apparently sold all three types for at least the 10 year federal mandated replacement requirements. The Mustang aftermarket "trimmed' the selection to "practical" sales.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

When in doubt, read the book.
Per the 1964 Mustang Electrical Assembly manual (AM0003) pg 11, there were three batteries used for standard assembly line Mustangs:
C3DF-10655-E, a 40 amp-hour for 170 CID I-6 engines;
C3DF-10655-G, a 55 amp-hour for 260/289 CID V-8 engines;
C3AF-10655-N, a 65 amp-hour for Regular Production Option, Z-106, V-8 engines (option Z-106 is heavy duty battery).
I'm not sure about battery filler cap colors, but I believe the 6 cylinder ones were red, the standard V-8 were yellow and the heavy duty were red. A  green cap signified no acid had been added.
Per the 1965 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual (AM0008) pg 11, there were two batteries used for standard assembly line Mustangs (the same information is in the 1966 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual (AM0013) pg 16 for 1966):
C5AF-10655-A, a 45 amp-hour for all engines;
C5AF-10655-B, a 55 amp-hour for option Z-106 (shown as O-106), as "heavy duty battery option".
I believe the standard battery caps were yellow and the heavy duty caps were red.
See the attached chart below. The only correlation is size and amps. Prefix letters indicate cap color.
Service apparently sold all three types for at least the 10 year federal mandated replacement requirements. The Mustang aftermarket "trimmed' the selection to "practical" sales.
Jim

+1 the base car came standard with the lower capacity yellow cap battery unless the optional heavy duty version was ordered . I think A/C cars automatically got the upgrade.  The yellow cap battery was not serviced as far as I am aware . Service replacements were typically the heavy duty variety identified with a red cap. The green cap battery was another capacity service replacement that had less capacity and a lower retail price then the red cap not used on a Mustang from the factory. The green cap was cheaper but not by much which probably why not many were stocked by dealers or sold. I have had numerous 68 and up style green cap batteries over the years. I have only ever seen or heard of the 24F style with the green caps. I have not ever seen or heard of a 65-67 green cap battery. I would be interested in knowing where the  green cap = no acid came from because I hadn't heard that before . Back in the day none of the batteries being discussed came filled with acid. They were what was referred to as dry charged. You would  fill with acid and the battery developed a charge that was enough to start a car before getting fully charged. They could be stored for many decades on the shelf like that.  Years ago many of us looking for obsolete parts for our cars learned that those batteries were not used originally on any Mustang. Some learned the hard way by paying big money before being informed that they were a not used service variety .  I still see them come up for sale every so often typically with some un fact checked description. They are consequently have much less value then assemblyline used batteries of the same condition. I have seen where people would strip off the green letters and paint them red then add red caps to make them look more authentic but you could tell from the service sticker that they were not assemblyline. Well done 68 and up assemblyline stickers are now available. 

[Bob Gaines]

I have had and seen a group 22F yellow cap battery used, group 24F yellow cap battery used and a group 24F red cap battery used in 65-67 . 

[preaction]

Bob, are the outside cases different between the 68 and up group 22 red cap 45ah battery and the 65-67 group 22 45ah batteries ?

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, are the outside cases different between the 68 and up group 22 red cap 45ah battery and the 65-67 group 22 45ah batteries ?

The biggest difference is the tops between the two styles. The rest of the case is almost the same.

[67gtasanjose]

+1 the base car came standard with the lower capacity yellow cap battery unless the optional heavy duty version was ordered . I think A/C cars automatically got the upgrade...."

That theory has been discussed before. It does stand to reason and I agree that all AC cars SHOULD (they do run substantially hotter and could use the higher cranking amps) but my particular 67 289, factory AC car does NOT have Heavy Duty battery listed on the Marti Report and it had a 22F battery tray that is date-code correct for the build.
 
For what it's worth, I made the upgrade to 24F during restoration for this very reason...it only stands to reason (especially with the list of options the car has).

[Bob Gaines]

That theory has been discussed before. It does stand to reason and I agree that all AC cars SHOULD (they do run substantially hotter and could use the higher cranking amps) but my particular 67 289, factory AC car does NOT have Heavy Duty battery listed on the Marti Report and it had a 22F battery tray that is date-code correct for the build.
 
For what it's worth, I made the upgrade to 24F during restoration for this very reason...it only stands to reason (especially with the list of options the car has).

I do not dispute what you found but have seen many 67 AC cars with the larger group 24 tray. I know anomalies happen and the way Ford listed things changed over time which may or may not account for things. I figure if the higher capacity battery automatically came with the A/C package that it then would not be listed as a option on the Marti report. At least that is my opinion until more compelling evidence suggests to me otherwise. It must have been a easy choice for you to upgrade the battery on your car given a group 22 battery has been obsoleted many years ago and would be hard to source.

[jwc66k]

I figure if the higher capacity battery automatically came with the A/C package that it then would not be listed as a option on the Marti report.

I think you are correct.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Guess that leaves use with a study of buildsheets for a focused year - possibly 67  - to see what they show. Options/battery size

[Andre Romein]

I created a 65 battery looking out of a battery case bought at Virginia Classic Mustang

[CharlesTurner]

Curious how the warning lettering was done?

The Autolite on the top and sides would not have been painted red.

[Andre Romein]

The letters are 3D printed and glued on

[67gtasanjose]

So, this is one of the empty display cases they once had?
Do you have any other images or a description of the processes you used?

[Bob Gaines]

Great job .Best that I have ever seen. +1 on no paint on Autolite letters top and sides.  In its current configuration with the red caps it represents the optional heavy duty battery. Keep in mind that given information in the service specifications manual that the heavy duty 55 AH battery would use the 55 amp red stamped alternator and corresponding C5TF yellow stamped regulator.

[carlite65]

i cannot open his pic. message says i need more memory on my pc........don't have it. can it be resized?