Missing oil breather cap

[smittykid]

I was looking at a 30 Tudor on Craigs list. The ad states the engine has been totally rebuilt including a high compression head. I noticed in one of the pics the oil breather cap was missing. I asked the guy if he replaced it. He said it just came off while driving it one day and hasn't replaced it. Seems odd-being a $5 item. Could it have blown off from excessive pressure? I was told to start the car & put the palm of my hand over the open oil breather pipe. If there seems to be too much pressure there could be problems like piston rings or something worse. I was also told that a small amount of back pressure is ok. I'm throwing this out to the experts. What do you guys think? Thanks, Smitty

[Fred S]

Smitty

I was getting a lot of oil on my starter and firewall. On a tour, my oil cap disappeared. A friend suggested putting a rag loosely in the filler tube. Too tight, as I then lost almost all of my oil out of the rear seal, as we continued on.

I'm running a spare engine now, and plan to have my original rebuilt. Before swapping engines, I put a repro Fumaze on, that clamps to the filler pipe.

[Mitch]

Smit
your correct on both fronts
being the A does not have a contained ventilation system yes some pressure (should be minor)will come up through the oil fill pipe. excess pressure could very well mean rings or a piston / cylinder issue.:: i would think if it blew off from excess crankcase pressure you will notice it fairly easy it would be significant. with the large vent holes in the cap i doubt it would blow off period.
good luck.
a leak down test would tell you whats going

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Watch for the CAP for sale on Flea-Bay!
Bill Obnoxious

[Mike V. Florida]

Anything is possible but what does that tell you about the seller that he has not bought the cap and did not mention it was missing.

[smittykid]

Thanks to all! We are heading North for the Summer on 5/25/17. The car is only about 2 hrs. from us in Pa. I don't know how to post a link, but if anyone wants to take a look at the ad-it's in the Pittsburgh, Pa. Craigs List - Just type in "Model A Ford". It's the green one with several pics. I know there are several things incorrect about the car, but the idea the engine & transmission have allegedly been "rebuilt" intrigues me. Another $5 item I noticed is missing is a steel gas line from sediment bowl to carb. The starting price is $12,995 not the $15,000. Assuming the car hasn't sold, I may go meet this guy just to see if he seems like a straight shooter. Thanks again, Smitty

[Mitch]

[smittykid]

Thanks, Mitch! Anybody have any thoughts on this one? I know I might be opening a can of worms.

[Tom Wesenberg]

If that deal falls through, here's a yellow Coupe that will sure stand out in the crowd.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/atq/6123531822.html

[smittykid]

If that deal falls through, here's a yellow Coupe that will sure stand out in the crowd.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/atq/6123531822.html

Yipes! I guess that color would be ok if you were a Pittsburgh Steelers fan which I am not! Can you imagine what it would cost to have those 21" wheels chrome plated today! Holy crap!

[Mitch]

to me its a botched up old car wearing a new suit.... with the things i see wrong i would not trust the work that was done on it.
and yes you are correct, i think its a can of worms

[tbirdtbird]

but but the fluids were changed!!!!!!

[Mitch]

yea Dave changed with what a witches brew haha

[George Miller]

To me if some one says it has a rebuilt engine, I would want to know the name of the one that did it. I have seen way to many so called rebuilt engines that were poorly done. Model A engine are not that easy to get right.

[smittykid]

to me its a botched up old car wearing a new suit.... with the things i see wrong i would not trust the work that was done on it.
and yes you are correct, i think its a can of worms

Ok, Mitch-here's another one. I think I'm highjacking my own post. This one is located about 2 hrs. North - It's listed on the Buffalo, NY. Craigs list. I've talked with the owner a few times and he admits it is no show car, but a really good driver. The cowl bottoms obviously have issues and there appears to be a water? stain on the headliner. The owner says the serial # on the registration (no titles in NY. State for cars that old) matches the # stamped on the block. He's asking $14,500 but I think he'll move some on that price. - What do you or any others members think?

[Mitch]

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/6104414835.html

[Mitch]

i'm personally not a creamy light / brown person, but i like it better than the other... especially better if u get it cheaper....JMO
at least you know more or less whats going on with this one

[1931 Flamingo]

Buy the Vicky and DRIVE it. JMO
Paul in CT

[smittykid]

Ok, Mitch-here's another one. I think I'm highjacking my own post. This one is located about 2 hrs. North - It's listed on the Buffalo, NY. Craigs list. I've talked with the owner a few times and he admits it is no show car, but a really good driver. The cowl bottoms obviously have issues and there appears to be a water? stain on the headliner. The owner says the serial # on the registration (no titles in NY. State for cars that old) matches the # stamped on the block. He's asking $14,500 but I think he'll move some on that price. - What do you or any others members think?

Just an update on the Victoria. I finally went & saw/drove it today. He wasn't kidding about the car "not being a show car". It's a 20 footer at best, but it is all steel. We took it for quite a long drive and I was very impressed with the car's performance. Very solid car. I asked him if there were any hills nearby and boy did he have some hills! The car did very well on the hills and the brakes worked just fine. All the gauges work along with the emerg. brake , lights and horn. The interior isn't too bad. When we got back he put the car up on his lift. No unusual leaks and the car has all 4 shocks. Good tire tread with no apparent sidewall weather checking. It also has a new muffler. The frame is clean-it just looks old. He's asking $14,500 for the car. I offered him $13,000 and after some negotiations he came down to $13,500. So I thanked him for his time and asked him to keep me posted. I think I'll give it a day or two and call him back and see if he'll split the difference with me at $13,250.
What do you guys think? The car does run really well. Thanks, Smitty

[Mitch]

i think your going to be the proud owner of a vicky. good luck with it

[Big hammer]

It's only 500 bucks, call him now and bring it home !