Cars are complex machines, made up of thousands of parts working in harmony. As you delve into the world of automotive mechanics, you’ll quickly discover that some car part names are, well, a little bit funny. While these terms are technically accurate, they can certainly bring a smile to your face. Let’s explore some of these amusingly named car components that you might encounter under the hood or in your repair manual.
One such example is the Power Valve. This component is typically found in older four-barrel Holley carburetors. Despite its name suggesting immense power, the power valve simply enriches the fuel mixture during periods of high engine load, like when you accelerate hard. It’s a vital part for performance, but the name itself sounds like something from a superhero’s car, not a fuel delivery system.
Then there’s the Return Spring. This part is far less complex than a power valve, but equally descriptive in a slightly comical way. The return spring is exactly what it sounds like: a spring that pulls the throttle closed when you take your foot off the gas pedal. It’s a simple but crucial safety feature, preventing your engine from revving uncontrollably, all thanks to a humble spring doing its job of “returning” the throttle.
Moving into the engine itself, we encounter the Closed Chamber. This term refers to the combustion chamber design in some cylinder heads, specifically the area directly above the piston where combustion occurs. The name is straightforward, yet “closed chamber” sounds almost secretive, like a hidden room within your engine.
Mechanics often use technical slang, and “30 over” is a prime example. When an engine cylinder is described as “30 over,” it means it has been bored out by thirty-thousandths of an inch during a rebuild. This is a common practice to repair worn cylinders, but the phrase “30 over” sounds like you’re ordering a slightly larger size of something at a fast-food restaurant.
The Deck of an engine block is another term that might raise an eyebrow. The deck is simply the flat surface of the engine block where the cylinder heads are bolted on. It’s a critical sealing surface, but “deck” evokes images of a ship or a house rather than a part of an engine.
For engine enthusiasts, Hemi is a well-known term, short for hemispherical combustion chamber. Hemi engines are famous for their power, and the term itself refers to the dome-shaped combustion chamber design. The description of “funky valves” that sometimes accompanies “Hemi” adds to the quirky charm of this engine type.
In the intake system, we find the Runner. Runners are the passages within the intake manifold that channel the air-fuel mixture towards the intake valves. While functionally descriptive, “runner” sounds like these air and fuel mixtures are actively racing to get into the engine.
The CCV valve, or Closed Crankcase Ventilation valve (often referred to as PCV valve – Positive Crankcase Ventilation), is another example of a descriptive but slightly lengthy name. This valve is crucial for emissions and engine health as it relieves positive air pressure from the engine’s crankcase caused by blow-by gases. “Crankcase Ventilation” itself sounds like a very specific and somewhat humorous engineering term.
Similarly, EGR, or Exhaust Gas Recirculation, is another emissions-related component with a name that’s a bit of a mouthful. The EGR system recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas back into the intake manifold to reduce NOx emissions. Mixing exhaust back into the intake sounds counterintuitive, but it’s an effective way to clean up the exhaust, even if the name isn’t the most elegant.
Finally, in modern ignition systems, we have COP, or Coil-Over-Plug. This system eliminates the traditional distributor and coil setup by placing individual ignition coils directly over each spark plug. While technically accurate, “Coil-Over-Plug” sounds a bit like a futuristic technology from a science fiction movie.
To further understand fuel delivery systems, it’s important to know the difference between Throttle Body Fuel Injection and Multi-Port Fuel Injection. Throttle body injection (TBI) is an older system that injects fuel into the throttle body, much like a carburetor mixes air and fuel. In contrast, multi-port fuel injection (MPFI) is a more advanced system where each cylinder has its own fuel injector, injecting fuel directly into the intake runner just before the intake valve. Multi-port injection provides much better fuel distribution and is generally considered superior to throttle body injection in terms of efficiency and performance.
In conclusion, the world of automotive terminology is full of interesting and sometimes Funny Names For Car Parts. From Power Valves to Runners and everything in between, understanding these terms can make learning about cars and how they work a more engaging and even humorous experience. So next time you hear a funny car part name, you’ll know it’s just another quirky aspect of the fascinating world of automobiles.
