Photographs usually have a reason for being taken. What do you suppose the reason was for taking this photo alongside the road? Breakdowns on the road were nothing unusual back then. Assuming the owner is the one working under the hood, who took the photo and why? A wife perhaps, documenting her warning to the husband that she didn't want to move somewhere in the first place? SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO unlike a wife to do that.
Does the rear of the body seem to be sitting extra low? Maybe the rumbleseat (this is a 1930 Deluxe Roadster, which came standard with a rumbleseat; note the top irons with wood, which is also a DeLuxe Roadster feature) is full of heavy items? It appears as though the owner is moving all his worldly goods, even strapping boxes on the top. The extra tire may also indicate a long trip with expected tire trouble.
Speaking of which, does the left front tire appear to be shredding apart with a chunk beginning to fall off? I'd worry more about that happening than what's wrong under the hood!
The original Model A horn has been replaced by what appears to be a common Klaxton horn. Odd that a horn would have failed so soon after the car was new. I'd guess this photo was taken in the late 1930's. 'Sure didn't get much time out of the factory horn.
Marshall