!st question. can an engine with a roots style blower still run if the impellars arent spinning? Heres where im going with this. I was watching Mad Max when he kicks the blower on. Normally id say it waqs all spec eff. But what if the pulley had an electric clutch like an a/c compressor. I would think youd have to run fuel injection to get past the blower, and then some kinda puter to manage the ful after you turned it on. Is this possible or has anyone done it? Like the title says daydreaming.......

 

Good question. I actually have a real-world answer since throwing the blower belt on my little 142 has happened from time to time.....

It can idle (badly) just from the slight leakage past the lobes. When you rev it the airflow through the blower actually spins the lobes by itself! Driving around like this is misery, though. Stalls and stumbles all over the place.

In the real word, you need those lobes to be spinning. There is precious little room for the air to sneak around the lobes if they are stationary. It's not a centrifugal compressor- it's a one-way air pump and if it's not moving almost no air can get through it.

Chalk it up to Hollywood movie magic.

A centrifugal blower with an A/C type clutch on it would probably work, however. Air can flow past the impeller easily even if it's not spinning.

 

Mad Max and ace of spades..... just plain classy!!

 

Knew this had MAd MAx written all over it!

I had an idea for that blower to work, but it's kind of complicated.

First, clutch the pulley for the blower.
Second, have a second carbeurator(spelling...) close and open while the blower's clutch is engaged and disengaged.

Would require one hell of a intake manifold though.

 

Like i said daydreaming... I have a 55 210 sedan im putting a bb in and im not sure of what kinda poweradder i want. Still in idea phase. Im thinkin about going gasser with a cast finishblower for the old school look. Back in those days they tried different stuff and came up with innovative ideas. I know thru the 70s they had the odd rods which were pretty amazing. Wasnt sure if anyone had actually done it YET