

                                DEFINITIONS


          ACCELERATOR The gas pedal. The accelerator is located to the
          right and on the floor when you sit behind the steering
          wheel.

          AIR CLEANER is a metal enclosed filter that sits on the top
          of the carburetor. It cleans the air before it goes into the
          engine. Should be changed when dirty.

          ALTERNATOR Generates electric current that charges the
          battery and runs electric equipment and electrical systems

          AUTOMATIC CHOKE A choke that automatically adjust the amount
          of air entering the carburetor by sensing changes in engine
          temperature.

          AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION A transmission that selects gears by
          using a hydraulically driven system of bands and plates.

          BATTERY A plastic box filled with a solution of water and
          acid and metal plates that store the current generated by
          the alternator. It has external poles that the electrical
          system are connected to. It is located under the hood.

          CARBURETOR A device that vaporizes fuel and mixes it with
          air in the proper quantities to suit the power needs of the
          engine.

          CATALYTIC CONVERTER A pollution control device which acts
          like an afterburner to reburn unburned gas and smoke.
          CRANK CASE The lower part of the engine that serves as an
          oil reservoir for engine oil.

          DIFFERENTIAL is in rear wheel drive cars it is in a gear
          case between the rear wheels that uses a system of gears to
          transfer power from the drive shaft to the wheels.

          DRIVE TRAIN Is the path of power to the rear wheels. It is
          composed of transmission or clutch. driveshaft,
          differential, and rear axles.

          EXHAUST MANIFOLD A system of cast iron pipes that conducts
          exhaust gases from the engine to the exhaust pipe.

          FAN That is operated to cool the water from the engine
          cooling system by pulling air through the radiator which the
          water is pumped through.

          FUEL FILTER Is a filter placed in the fuel line between the
          fuel tank and the carburetor, usually can be found under the
          hood.

          FUEL PUMP A pump that draws fuel from the fuel tank and
          sends it to the carburetor.

          HEAD GASKET Is the gasket that fits between the head and the
          engine block. It seals the cylinders as well as the cars
          engine cooling system and the engine lube system. A blown
          head gasket means loss of power.

          HOSE CLAMPS Are metal straps with tightening devises that
          fit around hose ends and tighten them so as to prevent
          leaks.

          JUMPER CABLES Are cables used to jump start cars. They can
          be connected from one battery to the other to provide power
          to the car with the dead or weak battery. To start the car.

          MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER Stores brake fluid and causes the
          brakes to apply when you step on the brake petal.

          MUFFLER A large metal device to reduce the noise from the
          exhaust pipe and pass the exhaust gases to the tail pipe.

          ODOMETER A device that shows the number of miles the car has
          traveled. It is placed in the middle of the speedometer.

          OIL FILTER A can like casing that holds a filtering material
          to filter engine oil. It screws into the engine block, under
          the hood.

          OIL PUMP A small pump used to circulate engine oil through
          the engine. It is located in the oil pan at the bottom of
          the engine.

          PARKING BRAKE Also called emergency brake. This is an extra
          brake system that operates independent of the normal brake.

          RADIATOR Cools the fluid in the cooling system with the help
          of the fan and water pump.

          RADIATOR CAP Covers the radiator fill hole and has a
          pressure release that allows steam to escape at a preset PSI
          ( POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH ) value.

          SPARK PLUG A device that screws into engine block to
          delivers spark to the combustion chamber. The spark ignites
          the compressed fuel mixture to produce the power that drives
          the engine.

          SPEEDOMETER Measures the speed of the car in miles per hour.
          It is placed in the middle of the gauge panel.

          STARTER Connects to the flywheel to crank and start the
          engine.

          STARTED SOLENOID A device that triggers a large amount of
          electric current to the starter when the key is turned in
          the ignition switch.

          TAIL PIPE A pipe that conducts exhaust gases from the
          muffler to the rear of the car.

          THERMOSTAT Controls the flow of coolant through the radiator
          to cool the engine. When the engine is hot it opens wide.

          TIE ROD ENDS Located in the steering system at the ends of
          the steering linkage.

          TIMING CHAIN Or timing belt they keep the valves in time
          with the crankshaft. If it breaks the engine will crank very
          easy, but the engine will not start.

          TRANSAXLE Connects the engine to the drive wheels in front
          wheel drive cars.

          TRANSMISSION A box of gears that allow the car to go
          backward and forward at different speeds.

          VOLTAGE REGULATOR A device that regulates the amount of
          current generated by the alternator.

          PCV   POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION
          PSI   POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH 
          TDC   TOP DEAD CENTER
          ATDC  AFTER TOP DEAD CENTER
          BTDC  BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER
          RPM   REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE
          MPH   MILES PER HOUR                END