This jar is on the driver side fenderwell of my Dads '54 Chevy . He and my brother have asked me what it is but I have no idea. Factory? Dealer add on?
I would say from the way it's hooked up they are using it as a water injection unit. Looks like a old windshield washer bottle.
could be for either water or oil, which ever kind of "magic" some guy believed in way back when. Interesting conversation piece, but I'd probably remove it or at least plug the vacuum hose
Looks like some sort of vacuum canister, given how it connects. Other guess would be some sort of fluid resevoir. If you take the line off and sniff it, it might tell you what was in there.
http://www.ampcolubes.com You guys are good... And they still make them... Quoted directly from the site above... "The Original Ampco Lubricator - what is it? The Ampco top cylinder lubricator is an oil vapor delivery device, designed to supply a mist of oil vapor to your engine’s combustion chamber – the heat/friction/wear zone. Manifold vacuum draws metered oil through a nozzle into the air/fuel mixture, which lubricates valve stems, guides, seats, rings, and cylinder bores – everywhere your crankcase oil cannot reach. As soon as your engine pulls a vacuum upon startup, it is getting the benefit of undiluted, atomized oil to the hottest parts of the engine. The recommended lubricant for all Ampco oilers is Marvel Mystery Oil®, found at most auto parts stores."
Judging by the year of the car, it's a top oiler for sure. Water injection arrived on the scene much later I "think". What happens when the car reaches 88 MPH, anything? I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
If it’s not a top Oiler My guess is a remote booze holder, check if there’s a petcock under the dash!
If I remember correctly, it is for lubrication for valves or cylinders. We had these on our cars when I was a kid. Sent from my SM-G930T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Top end lubricator. If you have unleaded gas, and want to minimise valve seat wear, fill the jar with diesel, set it up for about 3 drops/min. at idle. I have been using a similar system on my daily drivers for years.
As stated by a few already, definitely intended for top cylinder lubrication and still a great idea for todays unleaded fuel. Might save you a stuck valve guide or a sunken valve/seat. Read about the history of Marvel Mystery Oil, there are a few different opinions with the most interesting I think involves Smokey Yunick, 50 caliber guns, tank engines and more.
I would have said water alcohol injection, but these other hambers know for sure. Had a buddy with a 56 Chev. in Air Force, Wichita convert his windshield washer to this on the sly at the on base drags. Push the button and with that car at least, stock eliminator was his for sure. Never did get caught.
Ding! Ding! give that man a cigar. Old timer I know had one on his 50 Olds 98 sedan. He was 2nd owner and put it on in the early 50's he sold the car around 15 yrs. ago and died shortly after. Pat
This isn't magic. It's the real McCoy. The stovebolt will be in good hands but only if you leave it in there. 8^) Jack E/NJ
LOL, when my brother sent me the pictures I told him it was the reservoir for the flux capacitor. I don't think he bought my description.
back in the day, it was an nhra no-no to add alcohol to fuel. i heard of at least one guy who got away with it by using one of these to do that. the flagman smelled the alcohol, but they took awhile to figure out how it was done!