Chatbox Thread

There's only a handful of battery manufacturers and they're probably all contracted to produce white label units for other retailers as well.

I just had a Duracell Ultra Platinum (East Penn) AGM group 34 fail before its 4-year warranty was up despite being maintained on a CTEK charger for the last three months. The charger indicated the battery was full and good while on charge, but it nosedived to 10.8V after disconnecting and letting it stabilize overnight. I got a free warranty replacement from Batteries Plus where I originally bought it in 11/2021.

I'm glad to see they didn't give me any grief like fucking Pep Boys who try to gaslight and threaten their customers over batteries failing prematurely. I don't give a fuck if they've never seen their most expensive AGMs fail before. They should take notice that customer service still means something, because no amount of defensive storytelling about how I used the battery will amount to more than a "he said, she said" scenario anyway. Dud batteries happen and they need to accept that.
 
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1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Any concerns with going with Walmart "Value" type?
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Depends on how reliable you need you car to be? the value line has a shorter replacement waranty, but if you happen to have a CTEK charger with the Reconditioning mode and run it on the battery once a yea you will extend the life considerably.
 
The way I understand Walmart's battery warranty, they reimburse you on a prorated basis. For example, if you've owned the battery for eleven months, it fails, and you have a twelve-month warranty, then you get one twelfth of the price back. But no new battery!
 
Trunk Monkey said:
I use group 65. After market radios are the worst for draining your battery if you don't drive your car often and have the alternator recharge the battery. Ask me how I know. :LOL:
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You may have talked me into buying a new battery Ron! :rofl:

I put a 65 in mine when the original Motorcraft died but wasn't aware of the size differences until I went to install it! I went back to the 58 when I needed a new one because the "blanket" I had from the original and wanted to keep the car as original as possible. At times it can be a PITA when it does sit for a while and shit! :zrant:

Yes, I do have an aftermarket stereo.

Joe
 
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I've been running Walmart batteries (Johnson Controls iirc) in everything for the last 3 years. They all go bad and have issues so I figured spend the least amount of money on them.

Last one I got was like $110. AutoZone has the same battery for $300.
 
Most spooky thing just happened: I walk out from a store to my car, and my hood is unlatched.

I do remember hearing an untypical click noise during the drive, but I didn't notice any noises after that (which I would expect if driving with the hood unlatched at 55 mph).

Looking at the latch mechanism, I can tell that things are extremely dirty in there. Can it be disassembled for cleaning? Or is it riveted shut?


Meanwhile, not sure if I'm dreaming this, but the new battery seems to make my car idle more smoothly!
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Most spooky thing just happened: I walk out from a store to my car, and my hood is unlatched.

I do remember hearing an untypical click noise during the drive, but I didn't notice any noises after that (which I would expect if driving with the hood unlatched at 55 mph).

Looking at the latch mechanism, I can tell that things are extremely dirty in there. Can it be disassembled for cleaning? Or is it riveted shut?
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I've had the primary hood latch on the '97 pop open a couple of times while driving through the years. Never have figured out why. I've tried adjusting things and nothing makes much difference. I also have a hard time getting it to fully latch sometimes. It is my least favorite part of the car.
 
Kenz said:
I never knew this, Ford makes a sedan still. It's even named Taurus, but it's not for sale in the North American market... 🤯


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https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/other/a-new-ford-sedan-has-been-spied-in-america/ar-AA1D8k2P?

Maybe Ford is going to bring back a sedan in the US market? :unsure:

I've seen talk of a 4 door Mustang as well. That would be neat, hopefully it happens and they call it something other than "Mustang". Bring back the Galaxy or Fairmont name!

Another rumor I have heard was Mustang is going to turn into a division/model line of Ford vehicles..
 
XR7-4.6 said:
Meanwhile, on Facebook
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It seems like the amount of cringe and ignorance is higher on that group, than other car groups I frequent on Facebook. Can only assume it has something to do with the price of these cars still being low enough for younger buyers who want a V8.

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Anyone happen to know if there are poly transmission cross member business available? I thought Bill sold them, but can't find them now.
 
Zep5.0 said:
Anyone happen to know if there are poly transmission cross member business available? I thought Bill sold them, but can't find them now.
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It would probably be fairly easy to cobble up a solid alternative with washers. I don’t know why Ford put bushings there, there’s no NVH penalty without them
 
XR7-4.6 said:
It would probably be fairly easy to cobble up a solid alternative with washers. I don’t know why Ford put bushings there, there’s no NVH penalty without them
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I was looking around my parts for a poly bushing I could fashion to fit, but no dice. Bill sure so some poly ones, so I ordered a pair. I figure double the cost they should be, but it's good to have him around...
 
Anyone know where to get this circled piece? I have new retainer clips and the adjustment screws, but can't find any leads on getting these new. The old ones got destroyed in the red cars crashScreenshot_20250420-210350~2.png
 
$10 a nut. And I need 6.

Hell I might just buy new headlights.

Edit:
Ended up finding the exact adjuster nuts the birds use on eBay. $20 for 1.

I instead got new headlights secured from Amazon. $80 for a pair new.

Oh well. I have spares now.
 
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Are tbird trunk lids the same as cougar lids? I can't go look anymore.
 
Kenz said:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/other/a-new-ford-sedan-has-been-spied-in-america/ar-AA1D8k2P?

Maybe Ford is going to bring back a sedan in the US market? :unsure:

I've seen talk of a 4 door Mustang as well. That would be neat, hopefully it happens and they call it something other than "Mustang". Bring back the Galaxy or Fairmont name!

Another rumor I have heard was Mustang is going to turn into a division/model line of Ford vehicles..
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Mustang is already a division, some of the models include...
EcoBoost
GT
GT500
Mach-E
GTD
GT3
Etc
 
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