Thread: McMulloch Supercharger and engine at car show

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Went to first car show held at Owasco lake this summer. Usually draws around 650 cars. Showed up at 9:00 and couldn't believe the cars already there. hardly any room left for parking. Was walking around the vendors(usually the first thing I do) and saw sometyhing that made me slow down but I kept walking. About 2 vendor farther down I stopped and said no way and ran back to the first vendor. Yes there it was a nice McCulloch Supercharger in real nice shape, asking price $1,000. Guy selling it had just taken it off his 52 ford engine and said it ran like a top. Unfortunetly didn't have the $$. My wife showed up about 1 hr. later and I had to show her the supercharger(usually if she know I want something bad, she might buy it for me but not today as it was sold). Now next to it on another table was something that made me almost run back and get my check book. A 46 flathead engine bored .125 over, 3/4 cam. 3 94's, 4" crank, 225HP and he ran it for everyone for 12 minutes showing a temperature of no more than 190 degrees. Ran it up to 5200 RPM's and it sounded sweet. Asking price? $2500. It had been magnaflux with no cracks and it wasn't sleeved. Some really nice stuff at the show this year with 725 cars showing. Came in 2nd for best Chevy street rod truck. Alot of fun.

Are you talking about one of these Bart?

Bob, that's the one. I've seen them go for $10,000 and he only wanted $1,000 for his. I would have bought it on the spot but he wanted cash which I didn't have.

Then I probably shouldn't tell you the story of my buddy Keith looking for a good flatty for his '36 pickup. But I will anyway.........

We went to our favorite wrecking yard, and talked to our buddy behind the counter. We were buddies because we were regulars there. He hmmmmm'd for a moment, asked if he really wanted one of those old flatheads. Keith opined that that was all he could afford. We were taken back to the "back room" and shown a complete 59ab......fresh machined block, and crank; all new pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets and all the rest of the necessary pieces, packed in a few woooden boxes. Oh, and one of those McCulloch superchargers that spun fine. Total tab....................$25!

Of course, it was 1967, we were a couple poor airmen, and you just about couldn't give that flathead stuff away then. Oh how times have changed!!

I hear you Bob. I bought a 1969 Camaro in 1970 that had a bad ( by which I mean Good) 327 300 HP engine with a 4 speed. Go it for $1800. Try to findd that price now w/o buying something thats falling apart. Just imagine what you could of had for $25.00 and what I could of had if I had the money for $1,000. GEE, I could cry.

Just the other night I was reading a hot rod magazine where they featured some hot rod shops that have been around for years and years. One of them, an antique Ford speciality shop (I forget the name right now) has this collection of very rare and old hot rod parts. One of them was that exact supercharger setup, and the article said it was "priceless." I think you better grab $ 1000 and try to find that guy again ! I think they also referred to it as the Holy Grail of old car parts.

I have that magazine in the shop bathroom...........er.library, and will shoot a picture of the article next time I am there.

Don

Don belive me I would if I could but it was sold and even if it wasn't Our home needs a new roof more than I need that fine supercharger.

Even more rare is the Frenzel supercharger. Find one of these and you want to grab it.

Bob. Don't think I've ever seen one of those. Were they any good? Must have been a real early model. Bart

Haven't ever seen much. The first link has a small blurb; turns 6:1, gives 6 pounds boost, cost just over $183 in 1951.

The second link is a collection of a number of old blowers and superchargers that were made, pretty entertaining though not much info other than neat pictures.

Popular Science - Google Books

Frenzel Superchargers « VintageSupercharger.com

Bob thanks for that interesting info.

I liked to have not gotten out of the Popular Science page. I could read that stuff all day. It is really cool to see what ideas are now modern day routine.