Understanding the Names Of Car Parts is crucial whether you’re a seasoned car enthusiast or just starting to learn about automobiles. Knowing the correct terminology allows for clearer communication with mechanics, better understanding of repair manuals, and a deeper appreciation for how your vehicle works. Let’s explore some essential car part names that every car lover should be familiar with.
Engine Components
Power Valve: Often found in Holley four-barrel carburetors, the power valve enriches the fuel mixture during high-demand situations, providing extra power when needed. It’s a critical component for performance tuning in older carburetor systems.
Closed Chamber: This refers to the combustion chamber design in some cylinder heads, specifically the area directly above the piston where combustion occurs. The design of the closed chamber influences combustion efficiency and emissions.
Hemi: Short for hemispherical, Hemi engines are known for their hemispherical combustion chambers, which allow for larger valves and improved airflow, contributing to powerful performance. This design is famous for its power output and is often associated with classic American muscle cars.
Deck: The deck of an engine block is the flat surface where the cylinder heads are mounted. It’s a critical sealing surface that must be perfectly flat to ensure proper cylinder head gasket sealing and prevent leaks.
Runner: In the intake manifold, runners are passages that guide the air-fuel mixture from the manifold to the intake valves of each cylinder. The length and design of runners can affect engine torque and horsepower characteristics.
30 over: This is a technical term used in engine rebuilding, indicating that a cylinder bore has been enlarged by 0.030 inches (thirty thousandths of an inch) to accommodate slightly larger pistons, often done to repair wear or damage. This process, known as boring, is a common part of engine overhauls.
Fuel and Emission Control
Return Spring: This spring is a simple but vital component that ensures the throttle closes properly when you release the accelerator pedal, preventing the engine from revving uncontrollably. It’s a safety-critical part of the throttle linkage system.
CCV Valve (Closed Crankcase Ventilation Valve): The CCV valve is part of the emission control system. It vents gases from the engine crankcase back into the intake manifold to be burned, reducing emissions and preventing pressure buildup. This system helps to manage engine blow-by gases and improve air quality.
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation): The EGR system is another emission control measure. It recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas back into the intake manifold to lower combustion temperatures, reducing the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Lowering NOx emissions is a key goal of modern emission standards.
Ignition System
COP (Coil-Over-Plug): Modern ignition systems often use COP. Instead of a central distributor and spark plug wires, COP systems have individual ignition coils mounted directly on top of each spark plug, providing a more efficient and reliable spark. This eliminates the need for spark plug wires and reduces energy loss.
Fuel Injection Systems
Throttle Body Fuel Injection: An earlier type of fuel injection, throttle body injection (TBI) injects fuel into the throttle body, similar to how a carburetor mixes fuel and air. It’s less precise than multi-port injection and was a stepping stone in fuel injection technology.
Multi-Port Fuel Injection: Multi-port fuel injection (MPFI) is a more advanced system where each cylinder has its own fuel injector positioned in the intake runner, very close to the intake valve. This provides much better fuel distribution and efficiency compared to TBI, leading to improved fuel economy and engine performance. Multi-port injection is the dominant fuel delivery system in modern vehicles.
