I run one on my Model A with the stock engine. Don't have enough miles to know if it helps with wear. I thought it was neat, so I installed it...gets a lot of looks and questions. David
Yea I remember some old guys telling me about top oilers, maybe 10 years ago. Never saw one until I noticed them for sale at the hot rod company (http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shopnow/show_item.asp?product_id=st1001) Just curious about them... if the actually do much. Do you notice any blue haze or smell when using it?
Those are only really needed when runing Propane ,natural gas and simular dry fuels. Were fairly popular/common on cars 50s and earlier. I wouldn't loose any sleep either with or without.
Back in the day they were often used for cars that ran Amoco gas, because Amoco was the only gas around that was lead-free (it was sometimes called 'white gas') and most cars did not have hardened exhaust valve seats. Without the lead there was nothing to lubricate the exhaust valves and you could expect rapid wear. The top-oil devices allowed a little bit of light oil (like Marvel Mystery Oil) to get ****ed in and burnt. This supposedly provided the exhaust valves with lubrication. Yes, it was possible for your car to smoke a little with one of these depending on how rich it was set. But, in those days most cars smoked anyway. Some cars showed blue smoke right from the show room floor. With the long strokes, crankcase ventilation systems that could **** in dirty air, and less effective oils, a set of rings might only last 45 to 65,000 miles.
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