I am finally getting around to setting up the paxton mcculloch (vs57) on my 56 ECZ 292 motor, and need to get the right belt to drive the supercharger. I have a passenger car set up (mounts the blower in the middle above the timing cover) with the 7" crank pulley.

If you don't have one for sale,,,, maybe you could point me to a source?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel,

I went to NAPA and got some Gates belts. I think for big trucks or industrial. I got several lengths so I could change to a smaller pulley at times. I think they are all stored in the trailer but let me take a look. I should be able to come up with some numbers. I'll check tomorrow as I'm leaving for Louisiana Friday. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Dan, i got mine from craig conley- paradise wheels.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

thanks y'all. The last time I talked to Craig Conley, he was out of belts and/or did not recommend the ones he had left. In other words, he wasn't too thrilled about selling me one because he didn't think it would work. When I talked to him about part numbers and interchanges, he told me that because there were so many different paxton mcculloch setups, he would have no way of knowing what part number would interchange with what...etc.

I guess I could just measure everything out, buy a couple, fit them, etc. But my main concern is the spring pack. I could get a belt to "fit", but doesn't the spring pack keep a certain amount of load on the blower pulley so that it will separate/come together appropriately? In other words, I would assume that the more tension on the spring, the more force on the belt that would in turn put more tension on the main blower pulley.

Am I nuts? Or am I thinking along the right line???

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel,

I found one of my spare belts in the shop. It's a Dayton #37228 1 56027 . They should be able to cross reference from that. If that dosen't work when I get back I'll check in storage for the Gates numbers. Nobody up here could help me except the guy at NAPA. He went straight to them. There are several lengths available and you just have to measure and try. Set the idler so it's an inch or two in from full extension. There is not a lot of pressure on these belts but they don't seem to slip any. Hope this helps. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Dan, i have asked that same "what belt tension or deflection should there be at the tensioner pulley" on several forums over the years and cant get an answer. like you, i figure it has to be a known setting as to impart correct load on main pulley, etc, if you get any info, i,d love to know. thanks.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I've seen front end shims in the spring to increase the tension. I thought about a more modern screw type adjuster but it dosen't seem necessary. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

chuck - thanks for the numbers - I will check these out tomorrow at one of our mom and pop shops in town that still carry a LARGE selection of Gates belts. I assume they have a cross-reference. Many times these folks are still using the old reference books and so on. Have a good trip this weekend.

Bill - I will keep you posted. I guess we think along the same lines. And of course, you and Chuck tend to be the fellas that answer my questions about the VS57 the most. Guess not too many are running that particular blower. I know there are a few well known fellas that have the VR57. John Harding, back when I bought an isky blower cam from him, gave me the names/contact info of a few fellas that have good knowledge of these blowers. It is probably about time I looked them up. Unfortunately my project has been on hold because of my new garage, all of the moving and setting up, etc.

Maybe I should have started posting in the this and that section, but I thought that maybe somebody would have a good belt for sale.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Try John Erb. He has a lot of parts and knowledge about the McCullouch's.                                             John Erb                                                                                                                                       4019 ponderosa dr.
Carson City, NV 89701

johnerb@sbcglobal.net

Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Dan:

I would think that with the blower pulley at it's maximum diameter, that is opened fully, the idler should be compressed all the way.  The spring and belt do not determine the opeining of the variable pulley, the piston inside the blower does.  The spring merely maintains tension on the belt so it won't slip, regardless of pulley position.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"