Paxton Supercharger Kit for '63-7 Corvette

[Dick W.]

Re: latham blowers

Was not the Latham the one that you could use 5 carbs with. The '55 Vette mule car that will be in a forthcoming issue of the "RESTORER" magazine, at one time had one of these setups. Local owner had Joe Wolfe of Reading PA build the supercharged engine. Owner brought it to the local dragstrip on a Saturday afternoon. First run was the fastest of the day. Each run after that was a little slower until about the 7th run and the engine proceeded to do what most supercharged street engines of that era did. Self distructed. Was another one on a '58 Pontiac, Can very distinctly remember hearing the car coming for over one mile one night. They had a 5 mile "street" race. Was running against a '59 Dodge with a built 413. Good race, about equal in 5 miles.

We did not have the organization of Woodward Avenue, but had some pretty good races. Those were the good times

[Dick W.]

Re: latham blowers

Was not the Latham the one that you could use 5 carbs with. The '55 Vette mule car that will be in a forthcoming issue of the "RESTORER" magazine, at one time had one of these setups. Local owner had Joe Wolfe of Reading PA build the supercharged engine. Owner brought it to the local dragstrip on a Saturday afternoon. First run was the fastest of the day. Each run after that was a little slower until about the 7th run and the engine proceeded to do what most supercharged street engines of that era did. Self distructed. Was another one on a '58 Pontiac, Can very distinctly remember hearing the car coming for over one mile one night. They had a 5 mile "street" race. Was running against a '59 Dodge with a built 413. Good race, about equal in 5 miles.

We did not have the organization of Woodward Avenue, but had some pretty good races. Those were the good times

[Clem Z.]

Re: latham blowers

someone said you could put 6 on,2 on each side and 2 in the front

[Clem Z.]

Re: latham blowers

someone said you could put 6 on,2 on each side and 2 in the front

[Dick W.]

Re: latham blowers

Had seen the 5, but not the 6. I wonder where on the front that the second carb would go? The Pontiac setup with 5 carbs set in a NASCAR race shop until sometime in the mid to late '70's. Guy does not remember where they went. In the '60's you could see some neat parts in Nascar shops, Nickels Engineering had the Pontiac engine that they ran? at Indy in the mid '50's, still sporting all the neat magnesium castings, a DOUBLE overhead cam Chrysler hemi, 'course everyone knows the neat things that Smokey Yunick had littering his shops, including a couple of the "mystery" Z-11 big block Chevy's. I could go one for 30 minutes telling of the parts and engines that I saw at various shops.

[Dick W.]

Re: latham blowers

Had seen the 5, but not the 6. I wonder where on the front that the second carb would go? The Pontiac setup with 5 carbs set in a NASCAR race shop until sometime in the mid to late '70's. Guy does not remember where they went. In the '60's you could see some neat parts in Nascar shops, Nickels Engineering had the Pontiac engine that they ran? at Indy in the mid '50's, still sporting all the neat magnesium castings, a DOUBLE overhead cam Chrysler hemi, 'course everyone knows the neat things that Smokey Yunick had littering his shops, including a couple of the "mystery" Z-11 big block Chevy's. I could go one for 30 minutes telling of the parts and engines that I saw at various shops.

[G B.]

Thanks for your responses

I appreciate the time everyone took to respond.

I've checked with the modern Paxton company, but their interest in supporting vintage kits is.... ah... lower than you might think.

I now know I'm missing some mounting brackets, misc. bolts, and two connecting flex hoses. The supercharger itself might need some repair because it is stiff to spin. I don't feel a rough bearing or outright internal interference though.

A thoughtful NCRS member named Gord in Canada (I think) is making a copy of his old Paxton installation sheet for me. I'm hoping this will explain how the carburetor must be modified to work properly with a blow-through supercharger design. Something tells me the carb air bleeds won't work right under pressure. I don't know if it's common sense or paranoia talking to me.

[G B.]

Thanks for your responses

I appreciate the time everyone took to respond.

I've checked with the modern Paxton company, but their interest in supporting vintage kits is.... ah... lower than you might think.

I now know I'm missing some mounting brackets, misc. bolts, and two connecting flex hoses. The supercharger itself might need some repair because it is stiff to spin. I don't feel a rough bearing or outright internal interference though.

A thoughtful NCRS member named Gord in Canada (I think) is making a copy of his old Paxton installation sheet for me. I'm hoping this will explain how the carburetor must be modified to work properly with a blow-through supercharger design. Something tells me the carb air bleeds won't work right under pressure. I don't know if it's common sense or paranoia talking to me.

[John H.]

Re: latham blowers

In the late 50's-early 60's, Joey Lishin (Motor City Speed Shop, in Detroit - now long-gone) was the distributor for Latham blowers, and fabricated many different 4-carb and 5-carb intake arrangements for his Latham customers. He also made a number of 6-71 blower drive pulleys for me in 1959 when I had '53 #E53F001036 with a blown "nailhead" Buick V-8 in it (my "Woodward car" in those days) - those WERE the "good old days"

[John H.]

Re: latham blowers

In the late 50's-early 60's, Joey Lishin (Motor City Speed Shop, in Detroit - now long-gone) was the distributor for Latham blowers, and fabricated many different 4-carb and 5-carb intake arrangements for his Latham customers. He also made a number of 6-71 blower drive pulleys for me in 1959 when I had '53 #E53F001036 with a blown "nailhead" Buick V-8 in it (my "Woodward car" in those days) - those WERE the "good old days"

[Mike McKown]

Re: Paxton Supercharger Kit for '63-7 Corvette

Jerry:

I know two guys that have experience in this area. One of them worked for VV Cooke Chevrolet in the '50's and '60's as as primarily a Vette mechannic. His name was Harold Dahl. He ran a '57 FI Vette that had a McCullough supercharger on it. Another guy put a McCullough on a '57 T-Bird to duplicate the factory installation. I think the T-Birds pressurized the carb on the air inlet side if I'm not mistaken. The first guy might not be much help as I hear he is in bad health but the T-Bird guy is still prancin' and romancin'. Let me know if I can help with contacts to these people.

Best I remember, the Ford kit pressurized the carb, not a box around it. I believe Studebaker Golden Hawk was the same.

[Mike McKown]

Re: Paxton Supercharger Kit for '63-7 Corvette

Jerry:

I know two guys that have experience in this area. One of them worked for VV Cooke Chevrolet in the '50's and '60's as as primarily a Vette mechannic. His name was Harold Dahl. He ran a '57 FI Vette that had a McCullough supercharger on it. Another guy put a McCullough on a '57 T-Bird to duplicate the factory installation. I think the T-Birds pressurized the carb on the air inlet side if I'm not mistaken. The first guy might not be much help as I hear he is in bad health but the T-Bird guy is still prancin' and romancin'. Let me know if I can help with contacts to these people.

Best I remember, the Ford kit pressurized the carb, not a box around it. I believe Studebaker Golden Hawk was the same.

[Dick W.]

Re: Paxton Supercharger Kit for '63-7 Corvette

'Birds were pressurized air boxes. Another problem in it's own.

[Dick W.]

Re: Paxton Supercharger Kit for '63-7 Corvette

'Birds were pressurized air boxes. Another problem in it's own.

[G B.]

More than you want to know

Robert Paxton McCullough started making superchargers for flathead Fords in the thirties. After WWII he modified and expanded his product line. In the fifties he made his automotive division a separate company bearing his middle name (Paxton). Then he sold it to the Granitelli brothers, then they sold it to some private investors, then they sold it again, then this last outfit sold the rights to the older supercharger designs to Craig Conley at Paradise Wheels in San Marcos, CA. I believe Craig has some parts and will still rebuild old Paxton superchargers for about $700.

Paxton superchargers have earned a reputation for locking up within 10,000 street miles regardless of maintenance. Welcome to the world of hot rodding where your results may differ from magazine articles and ads.