Rivet counters needed

[360gts]

Thought that topic might generate some interest

.......my MK1 Riley Elf has a steel oil filler cap tethered to the rocker cover.
This is one of those unmolested cars with 38K on it.....I am thinking it is original as I have owned it since 1972.

My late 61 Countryman has a plastic oil filler cap.......both cars close to the same build dates.....

QUESTION:
Is this correct for a countryman???? Would have thought it would have had the steel cap.

[mab01uk]

(Edit: 1959-1962 metal cap, 1962 for plastic cap without breather and 1964 with breather)
AP-OIL FILLER BLACK PLASTIC (OIL SUPPLIERS NAMES) '64 ON:-
https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/cap-oil ... ames-64-on

Cap, oil filler, metal:-
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/cap-oil-f ... 8g612.html

[Polarsilver]

my 997 Cooper was a November 1961 build & it had the steel dome oil filler cap with the Oil Companys names .. along with the small wire & that secured to the rocker cover bracket with "two" Rivets .. dunno if this is good info or otherwise

[BAD942B]

Looks like the change might have been been around 1964.
AP-OIL FILLER BLACK PLASTIC (OIL SUPPLIERS NAMES) '64 ON:-
https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/cap-oil ... ames-64-on

Cap, oil filler, metal:-
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/cap-oil-f ... 8g612.html

What month 64 ?

[AndyPen]

I've got a Feb '64 1071 and the old pics of it in the late 60's show a plastic cap, which I guess is original?

[360gts]

I've got a Feb '64 1071 and the old pics of it in the late 60's show a plastic cap, which I guess is original?

Hi Andy,
731 HOP and 732 HOP both show the plastic caps......
Cheers
D

[mab01uk]

Looks like the plastic cap (without breather) was from sometime in 1962 and the plastic cap (with breather) was 1964.
https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/cylinde ... -and-997cc

[AndyPen]

I wonder if the breather type came in when the Positive Crankcase Ventilation did? When the pipe to the filters was discontinued???

[360gts]

I wonder if the breather type came in when the Positive Crankcase Ventilation did? When the pipe to the filters was discontinued???

Hi Andy,
,,,,first plastic caps were not venting types....very different to the PCV type.
Cheers
D

[360gts]

Back to my original question.
My Elf was built April 62...has the metal cap....my Traveller was built Oct 61....I am thinking it should have the steel cap.

[SMOKE GREY]

My February 62 997 has its original metal oil cap

IMG_3718.jpeg

[360gts]

So far we think the metal to plastic cap happened in 62 sometime.
I did see in the AKD parts book that it actually changed on the pickup at 8AM/FaU/H410073...same time the rocker cover changed.

Any pick up experts know when this build date would be????
First pickup engine was 1063542 Jan 61....

[Sixty2B]

I believe oil caps were a service replacement item, therefore plastic would most likely fitted and the metal ones binned...

[mab01uk]

Also in the 1960/70's we swapped over anything we could from a later Mini to update our old Minis....the complete opposite of what most Mini enthusiasts do now....

[Old English White]

I believe oil caps were a service replacement item, therefore plastic would most likely fitted and the metal ones binned...

That was certainly true of the later breather type caps which were supposed to be replaced every 12,000miles. I'm not aware of any such suggestion regarding the earlier type but you're right - any "update" was usually pounced upon and fitted to older Minis in a constant battle to make them look newer than they were

[InnoCooperExport]

Not a Mini, but my 1960 MGA also has the pressed metal oil cap with the embossed oil brand names. I think it's original but as the car has a slightly chequered (re unknown) past I wouldn't take it as gospel. But I doubt BMC would fit different oil caps to A and B series engines...