We are lucky enough in our shop at the moment to have a 1957 'Bird that is pretty rare. It is the last of 15 that were built for the 1957 Daytona speed weeks. These had their radio, heater, clock and lighter deleted as well as black tires, no fender skirts and small hubcaps. It also has tin rocker covers instead of the aluminum Thunderbird covers.

Some more info on the car can be found here:

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0111-102747

The new owner has bought it into us to have some oil leaks fixed and some work done on the transmission. During the process of pulling the engine out we found that the intake pipe was full of oil due to the supercharger passing oil internally. My questions are:

Can anybody confirm that this is a Paxton- McCulloch VR57 supercharger? All the pictures that I can find on the net of the VR57 seem to have a different boost relief actuator, housings that are bolted togther instead of the clamp that this one has and one drive belt instead of two that this one has. Here is a clear pic of the engine:

http://www.supercars.net/Pics?viewCarPic=y&source=carGal&carID=5353&pgID=1&pID=980625

Does anybody know who might be able to repair this supercharger? It doesn't matter where the repairer is located as the car is located in Melbourne, Australia and we will have to crate it up anyways.

Thanks in advance for any help.

That is what is known in supercharger circles as the "Phase 1" unit built by Paxton.  They were built in small numbers, to be replaced by the "Phase 2" with the bolt together case to which you refer.  There was a service bulletin published which detailed the replacement of the Phase 1 with the Phase 2, so the Phase 1 is extremely rare today.  Parts for both are almost non-existent today.  Paxton sold all their supercharger stuff to Paradise Wheels in California a few years ago.  He rebuilds the later SN series units, may be able to help you with your unit. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

There is a brand new Phase 2- VR unit currently on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180687658182&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Big bucks but it may be of help to your situation.

Oldmics

You could try john and see where that leads you.;

John Erb

4019 Ponderosa Drive,

Carson City, NV 8970-6436

775 883 6494

johncerb@netzero.net

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I cannot speak for him, but I believe Frank Stubbs, of Newcastle, WA. has had at least one Phase one 'bird in his care or custody. He is a well known restorer, and his wife, Cathy, a past President of a national club. He might be of service. He's also a really nice guy, and someone you should be aware of if you're working on one of these rare 'bird.



There's a local story about a "Firestone Tire" test car that was delivered to an airline pilot in Auburn, WA that passed through his hands. I think, but am not sure, it was a Phase 1. I've seen that car several times before it apparently left the US.



I have a couple Phase 2 units, but nothing that would help you.




miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks for all the help guys.

Hi all!  Stumbled across this thread and just got curious....would either one of these Paxton Superchargers (Phase 1 or 2) work on a 272 or 292 Y-Block, or do dimensions, etc. limit thier use to the 312?

Of course, considering rarity it's pretty much just a textbook question, but I'm interested in knowing. 

All the factory blower parts will fit the 272 and 292 engines.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"