Supercharging a '57 312


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By Jeff - 14 Years Ago
I have an opportunity to purchase a complete supercharger set up (brackets, pulleys etc.)_from an Avanti. What I'm being told is that due to the external similarities of the Studebaker engine and the Y block that the supercharger is almost a bolt on process (here is where the skepticism sets in).

So I'm looking for some thoughts and guidance from you folks. My engine is a stock 312 with decent compression with a rebuilt stock four barrel Carter carburetor in a '57 Country Sedan.

Thanks
By Daniel Jessup - 14 Years Ago
the superchargers (VS57 series) are bolt ons to the Paxton McCulloch brackets and accessories, but all of those brackets, pulleys, bonnets, etc sure are hard to interchange among different manufacturer engines! Tongue I've got a 55-56 passenger car bracketry/accessory setup on a Y block right now...it took me about 2 years to locate all of the parts I needed, and I am still not quite 100% satisfied. Almost there however.

use the search engine for VS57 or Paxton McCulloch or supercharger here on the forum. You will find some information, and most probably some good photos.

Guys like Tom Drummond, Chuck....er Moonshadow, etc. know their stuff much better than this young gun! Wink

By MoonShadow - 14 Years Ago
The pullys and brackets are all unique to application. On the 57 Ford the supercharger mounted low on the drivers side so It takes a different bracket than the 54-56. Idler assemblies are also application specific. The crank pulley is an extremely rare fine. I use the 3/4" wide single belt setup and it took me a couple of years to find a pulley. This all being said the conversion is definitely worth the effort. There is also the problem of carburetor. Do you convert yours to a blow through supercharger carb or buy a Paxton or Vortech enclosure for it.  There were some reproduction items around for a while but if there are any left someone here should jump in. (Frank?) You can always fab up a bracket from aluminum if you have to. Many have done so. Good luck with the project this is definitely the place to gather parts and information. Chuck in NH
By Rono - 14 Years Ago
Jeff;

I too am working on a VS57 supercharger set-up and what the others have said is very true. Getting the parts together and doing the research takes a long time. I would also add that if the supercharger head unit has been sitting for a while the ball drives may be worn or pitted. Also, the internals of the unit should be set-up depending on how you are going to drive the car and what modifications to the motor (if any) have been made. I've been working with John Erb johnerb@sbcglobal.net who has taken my VS57 and modified it to an SN60 and made other modifications based upon my motor. I'm also working with Gord McMillen rexrep@telusplanet.net. Both of these guys know more about setting up these superchargers than I ever will. If you plan on going forward with your project, I would contact them and get more specific information for your application.

Good Luck,

Rono

By Jeff - 14 Years Ago
Thanks all for your time and expertise. I think this a case of if it's too good to be true then it's not! I was told that the bearings would need to be replaced. It seems that the big trick here is the application unique hardware much more than the blower itself. I also found some factory photos of a supercharger set up and it appears that the factory mounting bracket and idler set approximately where my power steering pump resides.
By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
Actually the factory bracket combines the power steering and the blower mount. so you're correct. You could use the oe bracket to mount a Vs but it would have to be spaced back from the orginal VR mount to line up with the pulleys. I still have some Vr reproduction brackets.