Open pipe next to exhaust manifold

[toshii]

I no this is probably a newbie question, but that's because I am. I just picked up a 48 plymouth special deluxe 2 door sedan.

 

Today looking under the engine i saw that the open pipe was loose and dripping oil out of it.

 

Can someone shed some light on this for me?

 

 

Also I picked the car up about 10 miles from my house and drove it home. It seems to drive fine, but the one thing I noticed is that it grids sometimes when I shift into any gear. Could that just be low trans fluid?

 

 

 

Thanks, 

[P15-D24]

Road draft tube to pull the blow by gasses out of the crankcase reducing sludge build up.

 

First gear does't have a syncro so grinding is normal if the input shaft is spinning. Quickly shift into second, then to first will eliminate the problem. 

 

And welcome to the site. 

[greg g]

ancient form of crankcase ventilation.  Sort of non pcv.  The angled end creates a low pressure zone (brush up on Bernoulli's principles of fluid dynamics) when the vehicle is moving.  This low pressure added to the slightly higher pressure in the crankcase act in concert to void the base of the engine of water vapor, compression blow by, and other nasty things directly to the atmosphere. It works better when the cap on the oil filler tube is clean and free of debris to allow for proper air flow.  And if your engine is in less that good condition internally also provides an area of rustproofing material on your cars underside.

 

Your grinding in shifting to any gear indicates a need for a clutch adjustment.  Did you get a service manual with your car?  If not it is a wise purchase.   Cuz if yer gonna have an old car, yer gonna have to learn how to mechanic on it.

Edited November 7, 2013 by greg g

[plymouthcranbrook]

Grind could also be a weak syncro.  My 52 with a brand new clutch is hard to shift into 2nd until the trans is hot and even then it goes better with a pause before finishing the shift