1950 Dodge Wayfarer Battery and Exhaust Header

[SimonTiki]

Apologies, if this has already been discussed before, but I've done a search and couldn't find anything.

I should be getting my 1950 Dodge Wayfarer delivered to me very soon, and I have a couple of basic questions.

 

I am thinking about getting a spare 6V battery, are there any makes that are better than others, that you can recommend?

I am possibly looking to put a new exhaust on, and replacing the stock header.  Are there any recommended headers, or should I go bespoke?

 

I am in the UK.

 

Cheers

[Robin (UK)]

Simon,

If you can afford it, an Optima battery is the way to go.
It doesn't look great but, if that bothers you, you can buy a 'disguise case' to make it look like an old lead acid battery.

For headers... I have original Fentons on my car. Dean has the repro Langdons on his.
They are very similar.
Several people on here also offer split manifolds, re-worked from the originals.

 

Email me if you want more info on any of the above.

[SimonTiki]

Thanks Robin

[Robert Horne]

For my 48 Dodge, I bought a 6v battery from a farm store.

I figure, the farm stores like to keep their customers happy.

The battery was a little oversized , heavy, & more amps than required,

so I mounted it in the trunk.

Always cranked the engine great...

If you plan on keeping your car many years,

the Optima battery may be a better choice...

[SimonTiki]

Thanks Robert

[CoronetGuy]

I can't comment on the 6v optimas, but as for the 12v optimas, I come from the offroad world and lots of people have been having problems with optima batteries in the last 6 years or so. Seems that their quality kinda took a dump. This thread was started on one of my offroading forums several years ago  http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268618&highlight=optima  

[laynrubber]

I picked up a 6volt battery from Napa, not sure the part number. It is a big battery. As for exhaust manifold I have a Manifold by Moose. Not sure he is still on here but he welded up a dual header for my 25" engine. Three and three, two dumps.

[Jerry Roberts]

I have been running the 6 volt Optima for several years and wouldn't buy anything else . Also my battery is under the floor with a very small access hole in the floor so maintenance is more difficult . No cleaning battery terminals and no adding fluid on the Optima . Plus a lot of CCA . ( cold cranking amps ) 

[Desotodav]

I have had a good run with the 6v Optima battery in my 52 truck over the past 4 years. I believe that it was well worth the extra expense.

[SimonTiki]

Cheers.  Looks like Optima is the way to go.