Looked in the forum but no info. SNG Barratt has one but I don't need a black one and it's expensive!

Currently the bad battery is an Interstate MT-34.

Any recommendation on what to replace it with?
Car is a driver.
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I use Interstate batteries in my 3 cars. Get the biggest one you can fit in the available space, the more cranking amps, the better.

I have a Interstate Reman facility near me. You take them your bad one, they give you a remanufactured battery for $40.00 and they last longer than the new ones!!

 

That sounds like a deal but I see you are in Florida so too far away.
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Club I agree with the largest battery BUT only if it fits in the drain tray. This is often left off as well as the battery cover. Both are required if you do not want issues from out gassing.

 

Unless Club is planning on using a period battery, then a VRLA/AGM/GEL sealed battery will not have any issues with gassing or spillage, if using a wet battery, the tray is advisable for protection of the metalwork from spillages, but really not sure how the tray or cover help with gas !

AGM batteries will give the highest output for the size as there is a larger plate density within the battery allowing for higher capacity for the same size, and unless these are charged in excess of their designed charge rates they will provide very good service, do not suffer with gassing or spillage.

Unless the charge voltage is in excess of 14.4V then gas should never be an issue as this is the gassing point, and such problems are usually caused by excessive charge rates.

If a wet battery is getting so much charge or heating up so that it is spitting out acid with the gas then there is another problem, and this should not happen in normal use. Generally spillage is caused by overfilling while topping up a wet battery, or by very high charge currents.

 

yes, it must fit in the tray or get a bigger tray in a salvage yard??

here's a battery that was given to me when I was doing handyman remodeling in a RV, used to start the giant 502 Ford engine: I tried it in my XJ-6 because the Interstate was like 6 years old and starting to falter, and by golly what a gift:

AC Delco Professional
800 CCA
110 BC

10" inches wide by 7" inches deep (front to back).

I tried it for fit in my S type, fits perfect, but the battery has the front, bolt-on cable connectors, and the S type has the Pole cables. I bet they also make it with poles instead. Fits the XJ perfectly.

I have a Megatron Interstate in the S type. (the black & white type, not the green & white one).

Forget Walmart or Auto parts branded batteries, the MK-2 will kill them quickly.

 

Tilley the engine bay of a MK2 is pretty warm and under charge the battery becomes very warm. Agree on the closed cell batteries but not sure why you need to confuse the issue. As far as the cover Jaguar did not put them there and have Lucas provide a special battery just for looks. Acids build up but they tend to flow down which the cover forces. The hood (bonnet) for the MK2 sits very close to the battery and discolored or rusted bonnet undersides are common in that area. I am sure you have seen them.

 

George maybe I was confusing the matter when I was actually trying not to.

What I was attempting to clarify was that if using a sealed battery then getting it to fit in the tray was not essential, but that a high output battery did also not need to be big either, so it was easier to get a BIG output in a smaller format, rather than just a physically BIG battery.
I do agree with what you are saying, and I do like the period look of the tray and lid, but there requirement with the modern battery technologies is not so essential these days.
Hopefully I have now clarified my confusing post.

 

Battery tray and cover disappeared a long time ago. No corrosion on the underside of the hood over the battery so that answers the out gassing question.

All that I have left are two raised sheet metal platforms that hold the battery level. There is a horizontal strap that goes around the battery and has two very unique brass bolts that screw into the firewall.

I took the strap with me to the store so I could make sure the battery I got would fit. Purchased a Super Start battery from O'reilly. It's a 65EXT size which puts the top posts in the same position as stock. It has 850 CCA and it just about the biggest battery that would fit. Plus it's black which is much better that the Mega-Tron battery which was white with a green top.
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sounds identical to the S type battery location and hardware.

I too have the metal strap with a rubber sleeve in the front, and the two brass bolts, all polished.

there are two "S" shaped spring washers that go at the end of the bolts, do you have those too?

Jaguar used those special washers from the 1960's all the way to 1992 in the XJ-12 Series 3.

 

Interesting you said that!
I do have one washer like you described. Can't say I have seen one like it before?

Not worth getting on it's own but when I place another SNG Barratt order I might add it.

My brass bolts were made from a brass stud and nut. The nut was threaded on the stud until it was flush with the end and then it was brazed together. Seems like a lot of work to make those bolts? They certainly look factory. Wonder why they were made that way?
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Jose, what is an S shaped washer, do you have a pic ? The battery was off my car when I got it so I don't have the washers unless they are in the box of bits, so would be good to know what I'm looking for.

 

Tilley he means a spiral washer--very common!

 

yes, it is a spiral-shaped washer, it compresses as you tighten the bolts, I think to prevent those long brass bolts from backing out? I think I have a picture, can't find it.

by the way, those brass bolts are a work of art, I agree that someone went thru a lot of trouble to make them. I polished mine with Brasso, they look like gold!

 

Damn that's a great idea!!
I painted mine black. They maybe common washers somewhere but I have been a shade tree mechanic for over 40 years and have never seen a washer like it.

Can they be purchased anywhere other than from Jaguar suppliers?
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used maybe. They are like a spring.

here's a picture of the bolts and a drawing of the parts involved. Item No. 3 is the spiral washer.

I have no clue what item No. 4 is, if it is the Nut for the bolt, in my S type the nuts are imbedded / welded in the bulkhead / firewall.

 

Yes that is puzzling because mine are the same as you describe and I was glad I did not need to hold the nut while installing the bolt. That would be very hard!
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Ah got it, it's whats called a Thackery washer, you should be able to order them online easily, it will be 1/4", used to allow a flexible joint.

These are used on the throttle linkage quite a bit as well as other places on the Jags

 

Just found the part on SNG, they have it incorrectly listed as an FB204/X but it should be FG204/X which is superseded by WS600041J , but the FG204/X comes up with the superseded part no. £0.17 each so cheap.

 

Now I know what a Thackery washer is!

Thanks much for the education and I had to read about ol' Angus Thacker and how this unusual washer came to be.

GOLDEN GATE LOTUS CLUB - Thackery Washer
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