67 factory Paxton supercharger engine photos

[pbf777]

Rod's detailed fuel line pic shows the "T" fitting to allow fuel pressure to be plumbed in.

    Is t his a "correct" rendition of such? 

    Scott.

It is my understanding that Craig Conley(Mr. Paxton) was the consultant on the Paxton and how it was installed aspect of the restoration.

    Not to belabor the issue, as I suppose that a "T" in the line is probably how even a "Factory" Paxton Supercharger installation would have been executed, I'm just curious as to whether the "Factory" would have actually utilized these fittings in the execution?   

    First, it seems to appear that the T-fitting 'might' actually be intended for 3/8" I.D. fuel hose, as the 5/16" (?) hose being utilized seems "over-stressed" by the barb-fittings on the run?  This would not be an acceptable choice as where the hose is overly expanded will cause premature stress failures, this generally presenting itself as longitudinal cracking, starting at the surface over the humping.   

    Next, evidently as chosen, this T-fitting presents an "NPT female" threading on the branch, which is fine as most do, but it's just that someone next chose to utilize an "NPT male close nipple" so as to then allow the utilization of an "NPT female thread to hose compression adapter" fitting. The curiosity is that this incorporates "three" fittings, and if this were an execution of "good practice", should have only required "two"; this accomplished via just the simple substitution of the current "female" NPT for a "male" NPT compression adapter fitting (readily available) this allowing it being threaded directly into the T-fitting and the elimination of the "close-nipple". 

    So again, the point isn't to judge this car, as that really isn't the point, rather it's a exploration in to whether the boys at Shelby American actually just cobbled it this way originally?   

    Scott. 

         

[Road Reptile]

Hi all interested in Paxton cars,
First Thanks to Rod--I was wondering if this car had a fuel pressure and a boost gauge.
If you look close the fitting on the outlet of the blower also has a "T" fitting so it now makes us wonder why if it has no gauges? It is important to monitor both when under boost to prevent engine damage from being excessively lean. I seem to remember that years ago no one had been able to find these gauges so being scarce they were expensive.
That was for 1966 Paxton cars... Never seen a factory 67 setup in person...and with such a low number produced it is easy to understand why, it actually made the car cost more than a G.T.500! Other questions like is it wise to direct fuel inside the car to the gauge? Potential leak(s)-fumes close to the cigar lighter...fuel soaked carpet...all could be very dangerous. Just a few things to consider. Not to mention melted pistons and ring damage from a lean engine. Would love to see an original survivor setup and be able to study it. Maybe the gauge setup was optional??  Also amazed to see most of the 33 cars sold with the Paxton were Brittany Blue. This is a Really nice example.
Thanks again for the pictures.
R.R.

[J_Speegle]

RR Don't recall there being Paxton gauges on this car at the show.

[Bob Gaines]

Hi all interested in Paxton cars,
First Thanks to Rod--I was wondering if this car had a fuel pressure and a boost gauge.
If you look close the fitting on the outlet of the blower also has a "T" fitting so it now makes us wonder why if it has no gauges? It is important to monitor both when under boost to prevent engine damage from being excessively lean. I seem to remember that years ago no one had been able to find these gauges so being scarce they were expensive.
That was for 1966 Paxton cars... Never seen a factory 67 setup in person...and with such a low number produced it is easy to understand why, it actually made the car cost more than a G.T.500! Other questions like is it wise to direct fuel inside the car to the gauge? Potential leak(s)-fumes close to the cigar lighter...fuel soaked carpet...all could be very dangerous. Just a few things to consider. Not to mention melted pistons and ring damage from a lean engine. Would love to see an original survivor setup and be able to study it. Maybe the gauge setup was optional??  Also amazed to see most of the 33 cars sold with the Paxton were Brittany Blue. This is a Really nice example.
Thanks again for the pictures.
R.R.

I believe that the gauges were a option on a Paxton equipped car. I know that they did not automatically come in the Paxton blower kits. The kit included the centrifugal blower, carb enclosure, air cleaner /silencer, mounting brackets, pulleys, drive belts, gaskets, necessary, hardware and installation instructions. I agree it is and was dangerous for the fuel line to be plumbed directly to the gauge but that is how it was done originally on the Paxton Shelby's with gauges as well as other make and model cars of the day were done. Modern fuel pressure gauges get a signal from electronic senders or by using a mechanical isolator with a non-flammable liquid that travels to the gauge. That is at least the ones taking on the risk and not wanting to stray from the historic way. FYI  there may have been one but I don't remember hearing or reading about a report of the fuel gauge line being the culprit or making a accident fire worse. At the very most it didn't happen often. Still dangerous. 

[Don Johnston]

My 66 GT350 Paxton SC set up (not original to the car, but period correct parts) had the fuel pressure line direct to the gauge kit with a plastic line! For safety, I installed a fuel pressure control on the firewall that runs actual fuel pressure to the control unit but uses antifreeze from the control unit to the pressure gauge under the dash.
 
https://legacy.paxtonauto.com/product.php?id=135

[pbf777]

    The plastic plumbing line is popularly utilized if only because it has been that which generally comes in the box with the gauge (aka. cheap!); but it's also popular for those searching for the lightest weight material for the task. It works well, but must be protected from abrasion, heat, battery acid, kinking, etc.

    Earlier in history, and for those wishing to utilize something with greater resilience, copper line was popular; but it must be plumbed and supported "properly" or eminent fatigue failure will occur!

    Stainless Steel Braided hoses (Teflon tube) are popular of the last couple of decades, though resilient to the abrasion issue, they're not immune to the exhaust header heat issue. They are a pain to hand fabricate for custom lengths, but can be purchased in a number of "pre-fabricated" lengths, hopefully one of which will suit the requirement. 

    And as for "safety" concerns, fifty and plus years ago, this was definitely a "secondary" concern! 

    Scott.

[TA Coupe]

Paxton information that I have. I do have extra pieces of
Literature if anyone is interested.

     Roy

[TA Coupe]

More info.

    Roy

[KR500]

RR Don't recall there being Paxton gauges on this car at the show.

Jeff
Yes The car did have aux. gauges. I was judging from the drives side so I could see them (2), but I can't recall the brand.

Rodney

[J_Speegle]

RR Don't recall there being Paxton gauges on this car at the show.

Jeff
Yes The car did have aux. gauges. I was judging from the drives side so I could see them (2), but I can't recall the brand.

Rodney

Thanks for posting - didn't see them from my angle  and they didn't come up in the conversation

[Road Reptile]

Hi Again Paxton fans,
Looks like our hunches were correct on both counts. This car has gauges and from what the vintage ad shows they were a $35.00 option and not part of the base kit.And just so people that are keeping track the 34th factory Paxton car was lost in the train derailment so never was available for sale.Only 1 car was equipped with an automatic transmission so 32 4 speed cars. So nice to see this one example Awesome car!!
R.R.

[JD]

I do have a photo of Paxton version under dash gauge set in another '67 GT350 BUT they may not be the same as on this car and don't want to imply that they are the same as the ones on car 1071.  They have a red logo on them.

[67411F--0100-ENG.]

Hello,

Here are a couple of photos that show the gauge(s)in 1071.  I took these photos when the car was at the Shelby American Collection on 08/30/24.

Eric

[Coralsnake]

I believe they were made by US Gauge co

[JD]

Eric, those look to be the same as the photos I have from another '67 GT350.  A bit hard to tell about the surround, is it "silver" metal?