MAKE YOUR OWN
MOTORCRAFT R-56
BATTERY TOPPER
MOTORCRAFT R-56
BATTERY TOPPER
My s.com
ORIGINAL R-56 BATTERY
Have you ever been to a car show and
wondered where the older cars got batteries
that look original to the car that they are in?
In most cases they are not original batteries. They are batteries that have a cover that looks original installed. They make them for several different batteries, but not mine.
Years ago I recreated the stickers that went on the top. But the raised lettering was missing and painting and adding the stickers voided the warranty. So the other day I decided to create a Battery Topper for my car's battery.
You can too by sort of following my hard to follow instructions
and modifying them for your cars battery.
wondered where the older cars got batteries
that look original to the car that they are in?
In most cases they are not original batteries. They are batteries that have a cover that looks original installed. They make them for several different batteries, but not mine.
Years ago I recreated the stickers that went on the top. But the raised lettering was missing and painting and adding the stickers voided the warranty. So the other day I decided to create a Battery Topper for my car's battery.
You can too by sort of following my hard to follow instructions
and modifying them for your cars battery.
1. Measure battery top length and width.
Then measure where the terminal posts are.
Then measure where the terminal posts are.
2. Cut a piece of paper to battery size.
Cut holes for terminal posts.
I used a 1/2" ratchet extension and cut around it.
Cut holes for terminal posts.
I used a 1/2" ratchet extension and cut around it.
3. Cut slots for filler cap areas. Measure as close to the holes as possible. Make corners round, not square or you will have open
space around the filler caps.
space around the filler caps.
4. Make sure the paper template fits the battery correctly and adjust openings as necessary.
You might have to use another sheet of
paper or 2 or 3 to get it right.
You might have to use another sheet of
paper or 2 or 3 to get it right.
5. Find a thin piece of plastic to use as the topper. I used a placemat bought from Dollar Tree.
Get one that has no moire pattern to it.
At first I was going to use this storage box. It fit on 3 sides, but decided too much cutting was involved.
Get one that has no moire pattern to it.
At first I was going to use this storage box. It fit on 3 sides, but decided too much cutting was involved.
7. Decide whether you want to add sides to the topper, have no sides and paint the edge red, or want to bent the plastic to include the sides. I added my sides later, then decided you could bend the plastic to make the sides. But measurements to fit the battery might be a problem. If you do go this route, make the sides longer than needed and cut to fit later. And disregard Step #11.
6. Trace paper template to plastic and cut out all the open areas.
Check fit on battery. Trim as necessary.
Check fit on battery. Trim as necessary.
8. Find thicker plastic to use for the lettering.
I used a wastebasket bought at the 99 Cents Only Store for this.
I used a wastebasket bought at the 99 Cents Only Store for this.
9. Download the Motorcraft Battery file and print at actual size on 8.5"x11" matte paper.
Cutout the paper motorcraft letters and trace or glue them on the plastic.
Then cut the letters out of the plastic.
Sand edges smooth and work with the letters until they are to your liking.
Cutout the paper motorcraft letters and trace or glue them on the plastic.
Then cut the letters out of the plastic.
Sand edges smooth and work with the letters until they are to your liking.
