Anyone bought/seen a Paxton SN60 sell lately?

[PackardV8]

From what I've seen, the Paxton is considered old school tech by most rodders, but still somewhat in demand. Most think the Procharger and Vortech is a better unit. Anyone seen a late-version Paxton with serpentine belt model sell recently? If so, for how much?

jack vines

[jlmccuan]

Usually the serpentine belt setups are found on the SN89/92/93's, but I bought one on an SN60 a few months ago. Gave $400 for it. Seems like more of the Mustang boys use them than anyone else.

[kurtruk]

Dont know if this helps. Here's a rebuild kit:

http://www.superchargersonline.com/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=SN-Rebuild-60

[PackardV8]

Thanks a lot krtruk. The Paxton rebuild kit is $449. I've bought many a complete running Stude for less ;>)

jack vines

[PackardV8]

I checked the serial number and the unit in question is an SN92. It's awfully tempting to play with it, even if the serpentine belt drive isn't period correct for Studes. However, the serpentine belt, correctly installed, pretty much eliminates the belt slippage problems which plague the V-belt Stude drive.

jack vines

[jlmccuan]

The serpentine is better. The V-Belt can be greatly improved and still appear stock. If you want to spin it just a touch faster, don't yield to the temptation of just putting the smaller V-Belt pulley on. The belt traction is greatly reduced. Use the larger crank pulley (which requires the smaller water pump pulley also) to overdrive the SC. Then if you want more, you'll have to go to the smaller SC pulley. There are a couple of ways to increase the belt wrap on the SC pulley giving you more traction, as well as increasing the belt traction of the pulley/belt contact as well.
The SN92 is very different inside from the SN92. The impellers and some other parts don't interchange. There is no spring pack like the SN60. Correct balldrive tension in the SN92 is set with shims against the Bellevue washer, then impeller clearance is set with shims. The springpack in the SN60 allowed for more tolerance in the ball race fit, but also more slippage at higher rpm's. The shim setup in the SN92 requires tighter tolerances but can run more balldrive pressure meaning less slippage. Incorrectly shimmed, the SN92 doesn't live very long. Correctly shimmed, the SN92 will run more rpm's without slippage and outlive the SN60 balldrive by orders of magnitude. I'd keep the SN92 and paint it. Anybody sharp enough to check the serial number can also spot a few other details to know the difference. 99.9% can't see the difference even if you tell them it's not an SN60.