The world of automobiles is filled with jargon, technical terms, and acronyms that can sound like a foreign language to the uninitiated. But beyond the serious engineering and complex mechanics, there’s a lighter side to car part terminology. Dive into the quirky world of Funny Car Part Names, where function meets a healthy dose of automotive humor. You might be surprised at some of the monikers mechanics and car enthusiasts use every day.
Engine Parts with Amusing Monikers
The engine, the heart of any vehicle, is a treasure trove of oddly named components. Let’s explore some of the engine parts that might elicit a chuckle:
Power Valve: This component, often found in older Holley carburetors, sounds like it should control something incredibly forceful. In reality, the power valve is a vacuum-operated valve in a carburetor that enriches the fuel mixture during hard acceleration or when the engine is under heavy load. It’s all about getting that extra power boost when you need it, but the name just sounds a bit over the top for a small valve.
Return Spring: Simple and descriptive, yet slightly comical. The return spring is responsible for pulling the throttle closed when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. It ensures your engine doesn’t keep revving after you’ve lifted off the gas. It’s a critical safety component, preventing runaway engines, but “return spring” sounds like something from a cartoon.
Closed Chamber: This term refers to the combustion chamber design in some cylinder heads, specifically the area directly above the piston when it’s at top dead center. “Closed chamber” sounds secretive, like some hidden room in the engine, when it’s just describing a specific shape designed for efficient combustion.
30 Over: This is tech-speak, primarily used in engine rebuilding. When an engine cylinder is “30 over,” it means it has been bored out by thirty-thousandths of an inch to accommodate slightly larger pistons. It’s a precise measurement, but saying “30 over” in casual conversation sounds like you’re ordering something at a deli, not describing engine machining.
Deck: In automotive terms, the “deck” of an engine block is the top surface where the cylinder heads are bolted on. Referring to this crucial engine surface as the “deck” makes it sound like you’re building a house or playing cards rather than assembling an engine.
Hemi: Short for hemispherical combustion chamber, “Hemi” is iconic, but also a bit funny when you think about it. It denotes a cylinder head design where the combustion chamber is shaped like a hemisphere. The term has gained legendary status, especially with Chrysler’s Hemi engines, but “hemispherical firing chamber” itself is a mouthful and sounds almost cartoonishly technical. Plus, the funky valve arrangement in a Hemi head is another point of mechanical amusement.
Runner: In the intake manifold, “runners” are the individual passages that channel the air-fuel mixture from the plenum to each cylinder’s intake valve. “Runner” evokes images of athletes sprinting, not air and fuel flowing into an engine. It’s a functional term, but slightly whimsical in this context.
CCV Valve (Closed Crankcase Ventilation Valve): This valve, often simply called PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve, is crucial for emissions and engine health. It relieves pressure buildup in the engine’s crankcase caused by “blow-by” (combustion gases leaking past the piston rings). “Closed Crankcase Ventilation valve” is a mouthful of technical terms, but the acronym CCV (or PCV) and the concept of “blow-by” add a slightly comical, almost bodily-function-esque element to engine talk.
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation): Another acronym that sounds a bit funny when you consider its function. EGR is an emissions control system that recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas back into the intake manifold. The idea of feeding exhaust back into the engine to “clean it up somewhat” is inherently amusing, even if it’s a clever engineering solution.
COP (Coil-Over-Plug): This ignition system is a modern upgrade from traditional distributors. COP systems have individual ignition coils mounted directly “over” each spark plug, eliminating the need for distributor caps and spark plug wires. “Coil-Over-Plug” sounds like a superhero name or a futuristic gadget rather than a standard automotive component.
Fuel System Terms That Sound Funny
Even the fuel system has its share of funny-sounding terms, especially when comparing older and newer technologies:
Throttle Body Fuel Injection: Describing an early form of fuel injection, Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI) injects fuel into the throttle body, much like a carburetor mixes air and fuel. “Throttle Body Fuel Injection” sounds like a complicated way to say “almost a carburetor but not quite.” It highlights the transitional technology in a slightly humorous way.
Multi-Port Fuel Injection: The more advanced and efficient successor to TBI, Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPFI) injects fuel directly into each intake runner, right before the intake valve. Compared to TBI, MPFI provides much better fuel/air distribution and efficiency. “Multi-Port Fuel Injection” sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, emphasizing the technological leap from the simpler TBI system. The contrast between the two names highlights the evolution of fuel injection technology in a somewhat comical fashion.
These are just a few examples of the funny and quirky names you’ll encounter in the world of car parts. Next time you’re under the hood or chatting with a mechanic, listen out for these amusing terms and appreciate the lighter side of automotive engineering.
