G'day I'm after some info before I start restoring this 56 Packard clipper. Needs a complete Resto. Any info on supercharger and engine would be appreciated. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Not sure on the engine. But i for sure know about the supercharger. The unit is a McCulloch charger vs57. many Fords had them as well. I bought a unit a couple months ago for my chevy 6. (Need my motor done for prom with some go fast goodies.)
I just saw the twin to yours a few weeks ago at a show, fully restored... Didn't get any info, but I think the guy is local in this area (western Washington state), so that's a starting point. Try running a CL ad in the Seattle area, see if you get a response.
Number one, '56 Packards (the last true Packards) did not use a supercharger, and number two, the pictures are a '57 (which are re-badged Studebakers) and the engine is a blown Studebaker, similar or the same as used in '57-'58 Golden Hawks.
Crazy Steve-If we are talking about the same engine. that car is all original and stock (and for sale in Bothell)....PM me for further info as I don't want to screw up this thread.
The '57 Packard sedans and wagons (nicely upgraded Studebakers) all came with the '57 Studebaker 289" 275hp Golden Hawk engine. Most were also equipped with the three-speed Borg-Warner automatic. Just get a '57 Studebaker Shop Manual and you'll be good to go. jack vines
Thanks for the info guys.i will chase up a shop manual now I know it's a rebadged studebaker . I still will need some bits and pieces during the build. Cheers Corey Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The engine as you know, is the Studebaker Golden Hawk 275HP. They made 2 versions of the 289 V8 that year. An 8:1 compression, 210HP for the President, Classic and Silver Hawk V8, and the 7.5:1 supercharged 275HP Golden Hawk. Supercharger by McCulloch. Rebuild parts are available for the supercharger. The drive belt is wider than the typical fan belt, the same width as a riding lawn mower drive belt. I don't know if the lawn mower belt will stand up to high speeds, but some type of industrial drive belt should work.
Lube for the blower is automatic trans fluid. I don't know how you drain the oil except to take it off and turn it upside down. There is a dip stick on the side for level and fill. There is an excellent web site called VS57. It has much info about your supercharger including how to strip and rebuild it. You need to make some tools or jigs for this. If you were in the US I would suggest sending it to a specialist but as you are 12000 miles away it may be simpler to do it yourself or trust it to someone who is used to precision work in your area. http://vs57.y-block.info/
If you are not familiar with the McCulloch supercharger, they were made by the McCulloch chain saw company in Los Angeles. The supercharger was introduced in 1953 as a bolt on accessory for Fords. They soon developed installations for other makes of cars and trucks. A lot of over the road transport trucks had them fitted for use in the mountainous regions of the western US. They made up for the lack of power gas engines suffer at high altitudes due to the thinner air and made it possible to pull heavy loads up steep grades. The first car maker to offer them on a production car was Kaiser in 1954. Ford had a supercharged 312 cu in V8 in 1957 but this was a different model of McCulloch supercharger. Studebaker used a version of the VS57 similar to the Kaiser and aftermarket model. Studebaker continued to offer supercharged engines as long as they made cars in South Bend. In 1960 the VS57 was redesigned into the SN60 which was basically the same, except it eliminated the variable speed drive (VS) and therefore had a short nose (SN). The same basic SN supercharger, with improvements, is still made. They are popular on 5 liter Mustangs and Camaros. Today they are sold under the Paxton name. Paxton is the parent company of McCulloch. This is one reason parts are still being made for your supercharger.
The 1957 and 58 "Packardbakers" were a last ditch effort to keep the Packard name alive. As such, they used a lot of borrowed parts from the 1955 and 56 Packard, such as the instrument panel, some emblems and tail lights. But the car was really a super deluxe Studebaker. If you need more information you can find what you need to know here. http://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=11
Rusty I really appreciate the info. Thanks mate its good to know all this. cheers Corey. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Those wide belts (I forget the exact dimensions) were also used on some older heavy-duty gas and diesel trucks as well. A heavy truck parts place may be able to get you a replacement belt and probably for less coin that an auto restoration type place Mart3406 ==================
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