Engine: Supercharger 101

[52hawk]

Have heard of a supercharger laying in a guys garage "forever" He says it came off a Studebaker "just like mine" [mine's a '61 however] As far as I know,he has only the unit,no brackets or tensioner or other parts?
Any way,can someone tell me what would identify it as Studebaker,or are the Ford units the same? And more importantly,what is it worth if it still turns,or if it doesn't turn? . Are they common to find or hard to find?

[bezhawk]

They are different from The Ford units used in 57 . Studebaker used two different types...The VS-57 variable pulley McCulloch units, and the SN-60 Paxton units. They were both used by the aftermarket for lots of different makes and models. Early McCulloch superchargers had 6 volt solenoids.
A good resource for further info:http://vs57.y-block.info/
Value is subjective, however, up to 350 for a non working core is reasonable, and around 700 for a good working unit. Verified rebuilt units go for more.
Mounting brackets are fairly available, however pulleys are rare and expensive. To install a lower pulley on a non R series engine involves pulling the vibration dampener hub, installing longer bolts, and a spacer, and finding the longer center bolt. (hard to find).

[SN-60]

To: 52hawk,----- Here's a few tips to help identify this unit.......First if the serial# starts with VS, it's a McCulloch vari-speed unit that Studebaker-Packard used only in '57&'58. Having said that, if the original paint on the unit is
black, or if it still has the Studebaker or the Packard applique on the solenoid cover, or if the scroll housing is clocked to the 3:OO position....it's probably off a Stude.
Now, if it's the later SN (Short Nose) unit, the serial # would start with ML if it came off of a '63-'64 Lark or Hawk model (and have a single groove pulley with the scroll housing clocked to 9:00) If the unit originally was
fitted to an Avanti, the serial # would begin with MS, have a dual groove pulley, and the scroll housing would be clocked to the 12:00 (Noon!) position. Clear as mud?

[jlmccuan]

There is also a VR prefix but it looks much different than the units on the Studies. If it turns out to be that, I'm interested.

[52hawk]

Thanks guys! I'll make an apointment to look at it,now that I know a little about them.

[SN-60]

To: 52hawk,----- One more thing!, If the supercharger is a VS (Variable Speed) type, is reddish-maroon in color, and it's scroll housing is clocked to the 1:00 position, it most probably came off of a
Kaiser Manhattan. (the solenoid cover, if it's still there, would say 'Kaiser Supercharger') And the solenoid itself would be 6V. Seems there's a few of this type around.

[bezhawk]

Don't forget the late 50s DO models. They have a drain fitting in the bottom, and a threaded fitting instead of the dipstick.

[Stude8]

Supercharger photos

I don't have supercharger photos gathered in one folder but here is a 1963 Studebaker Lark R2 supercharger setup. The Paxton blower is the red/orange unit on top.
Stude8

[Stude8]

Supercharger photo from Avanti R3

This is a Paxton blower on an Avanti with dual belt drive pulley.
Stude8