Cars - http://maxpages.com/carsinhistory/F

Flushing the cooling system: The process of circulating water through the cooling system to remove old coolant along with any dirt or rust. Back flushing means circulating the water from the engine to the radiator (reversing the normal direction of flow) in order to clean the system more efficiently. Also see reverse flush.

Flute: A groove in a cutting tool that forms a passageway for the exit of chips removed during the cutting process.

Flutter: The rapid movement of engine valves. See bounce.

Flux: 1. The lines of magnetic force moving through a magnetic field. 2. An ingredient placed on metal being soldered or brazed, to remove and prevent the formation of surface oxidization which would make soldering or brazing difficult.

Flyer: !!!.

Flyweight: See flyweights.

Flyweights: Special weights which react to centrifugal force to provide automatic control of other mechanisms such as accelerators or valves.
Flywheel: A relatively large and heavy wheel that is attached to the back of the crankshaft to smooth out the firing impulses. It provides inertia to keep the crankshaft turning smoothly during the periods when no power is being applied. It also forms a base for the starter ring gear and, in manual transmission, for the clutch assembly. Also called "engine flywheel."

Flywheel puller: !!!.

Flywheel ring gear: A gear on the outer circumference of the flywheel. The starter drive gear engages the ring gear and cranks the engine.

FM: Frequency modulation. A term used to describe a type of radio frequency in which the frequency of the wave changes rather than the amplitude. Also see AM/FM.

FN: The 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars.

FOB: 1. Acronym for "Freight on Board." Used to describe when goods are loaded for free on a delivery vehicle at the seller's place of business, but the buyer has to pay transportation charges to the delivery destination. 2. When not an acronym, it refers to the device on a key chain which may contain your name or a company name, etc. See fob.

Fob: A device to hold keys; sometimes called a "key fob."

Fog coat: A fully reduced (thinned) paint that is sprayed at higher than normal air pressure or with the gun held at a greater distance than normal from the work. The object is to obtain a fast flash-off (evaporation) of thinner with minimum penetration of thinner into the old paint.

Fog light: !!!.

Foil: A light, thin, blunt-edged sword from which an air foil is named. See hydrofoil.

Follower: See cam follower.

Fomoco: Abbreviation for "Ford Motor Co."

Footpedal Cluster: !!!.

Footpeg: !!!.

Foot pound: See foot-pound.

Foot-pound: (ft-lb) A measurement of the work involved in lifting one pound one foot. In tightening, it is one pound pull one foot from the center of an object. Torque, or the twisting motion of an engine, is expressed in terms of foot-pounds at a certain rpm.

Footrest: A place to rest the left foot when driving. See dead pedal.

Footwell: !!!.

Footwell Intrusion: !!!.

Force: A push or a pull, it causes objects to change their motion. It is a vector quantity, with a particular direction and forces must be combined with special vector rules. Also see centrifugal force.

Force-fit: See force fit.

Force fit: A force fit occurs when two items are hammered together to make them secure. See drive fit, interference fit, and press fit.

Ford: The 1954 Crestline Skyliner is a milestone car. The 1957-59 Skyliner Retractable models are milestone cars. The 1955-56 Crown Vic Skyliner models are milestone cars. The 1946-48 Sportsman models are milestone cars. The 1955-57 and 1958-60 Thunderbird models are milestone cars.

Ford Mustang: The 1965-67 GT/GTA V-8 models are milestone cars. The 1969-70 Boss 302/Mach 1 models are milestone cars.

Fordism: The Encyclopedia Britannica first called the process of mass production by this name. However, mass production simply evolved in almost every industry at the beginning of the 20th century.

Fordor: A word coined by Ford for a 4-door sedan.

Forecast: prediction of future production or sales in the automotive industry.

Forge: To force a piece of hot metal into the desired shape by hammering it. Also see drop forged.

Forging: a process that transforms solid metal into shapes of varying cross-sectional material thickness, often involving heating.

Fork: 1. The part of the bicycle frame that fits inside the head tube and holds the front wheel. Generally called the front fork. 2. The part of the bicycle frame where chainstays and seatstays join to hold the rear axle. 3. A shifting device that is U-shaped and moves gears back and forth on the shaft. See shift forks.

Fork blade: One of the two parallel curved tubes that hold the front wheel of a bicycle.

Fork blades: The two parallel curved tubes that hold the front wheel of a bicycle.

Fork crown: The horizontal piece on the upper part of the front fork to which the fork blades attach on a bicycle.

Fork ear: !!!.

Fork lift: (Lift truck) A vehicle having metal arms extended in front for picking up and moving pallets or skids.

Fork rake: On a bicycle, the shortest distance between the front axle and an imaginary line extending through the head tube downward toward the ground. See rake.

Fork tip: One of the slotted ends of the fork blades into which the front wheel axle fits on a bicycle.

Fork tips: The slotted ends of the fork blades into which the front wheel axle fits on a bicycle.

Formula One: !!!.

49-state car: A car that complies with U.S. emission standards which are less restrictive than the standards in California. See federal version.

49 state car: A car that complies with U.S. emission standards which are less restrictive than the standards in California. See federal version.

Forty-nine state car: A car that complies with U.S. emission standards which are less restrictive than the standards in California. See federal version.

Forward brake shoe: See primary forward brake shoe.

Four banger: Four cylinder engine.

Four barrel: See four-barrel carburetor.

Four barrel carburetor: See four-barrel carburetor.

Four-barrel carburetor: A carburetor with four barrels that work like dual carburetors, with the second carburetor (third and fourth barrels) cutting in only at high speeds. Usually found on large V-8 engines. Also see double-barrel carburetor and single-barrel carburetor.

4/C: Abbreviation for "four-color," usually referring to color photographs or slides. A term used in classified advertisements to indicate the availability of pictures of a vehicle.

Four color: (4/C) Usually referring to color photographs or slides. A term used in classified advertisements to indicate the availability of pictures of a vehicle.

Four cycle engine: See four-stroke cycle engine.

Four-cycle engine: See four-stroke cycle engine.

Four on the floor: A four-speed manual transmission with floor mounted shift.

Four-on-the-floor: A four-speed manual transmission with floor mounted shift.

Fours: !!!.

4-spd: Abbreviation for "four-speed," either manual transmission or automatic transmission.

Four speed: A transmission which has four forward gears.

Four-speed: A transmission which has four forward gears.

Four-speed transmission: A manual or automatic transmission which has four forward gears.

Four stroke cycle engine: See four-stroke cycle engine.

Four-stroke cycle engine: An engine requiring two complete revolutions of the crankshaft to fire each piston once. The first stroke down (intake stroke) pulls fuel and air into the combustion chamber. The second stroke up (compression stroke) compresses the mixture. The third stroke down (power stroke) comes about through the rapid burning of the compressed fuel mixture. The fourth stroke up (exhaust stroke) expels the exhaust gases from the cylinder. It is also called the "Otto cycle."

Four stroke power cycle: See four-stroke cycle engine.

Four-stroke power cycle: See four-stroke cycle engine.

Four valve: An engine which has four valves (two intake and two exhaust) for each cylinder. Multiple valve systems offer better breathing.

Four wheel alignment: See four-wheel alignment.

Four-wheel alignment: In most rear-drive vehicles only the front wheels need to have their wheels aligned because the rear wheels are on a fixed axle. However with front-drive vehicles and rear-drive vehicles with independent suspension, all four wheels need to be aligned. See alignment.

Four-wheel drift: A term that describes a cornering situation in which all four tires are operating at large slip angles.

Four-wheel drive: See four-wheel drive.

4WD: Acronym for "four-wheel drive." This term should be distinguished from FWD which is front-wheel drive.
Four-wheel drive: (4WD) A type of drive system in which both front wheels are connected to its own differential and axles, and both back wheels are connected to its own differential and axles. Between these two differentials there is a transfer case which allows you, in the case of part-time four wheel drive, to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. In full-time four-wheel drive power is sent to both differentials.

4WS: Acronym for "four-wheel steering."

Four wheel steering: See four-wheel steering.

Four-wheel steering: A vehicle where the rear wheels also turn when the front wheels turn to give a sharper and more accurate turn.
Frame: A bridge-like structural load-carrying members of a vehicle that support the engine and body and are in turn supported by the wheels of the vehicle. Also see backbone frame, diamond frame, ladder frame, ladies' frame, mixte frame, space frame, and sub frame.

Franchise: establishment that has the right to exercise the powers of a corporation.

Franklin: All 1925-48 models except the 1933-34 Olympic Six are classic cars.

Frazer: The 1947-50 Manhattan models are milestone cars.

Frazer Nash: The 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars.

Free electron: See free electrons.

Free electrons: Electrons in the outer orbits around the nucleus of the atom. They can be moved out of orbit comparatively easy.

Free pedal play: The distance the clutch pedal can be depressed before it begins to disengage the clutch. Generally about 19-25 mm (0.5-1 inch) free pedal play is normal to be sure that slight resting of the foot on the pedal will not disengage the clutch. Without free pedal play, the throw-out bearings and the clutch might wear out.

Free radius: Measurement in inches (or millimeters) from the wheel axle centerline to the top of the tire when inflated. (The radius that is not under load.) Also called "unloaded radius."

Free rolling wheel: A non-powered wheel position on a vehicle, such as steering axle, tag axle or trailer wheel positions.

Free Trade Agreement of the Americas: (FTAA) An effort to unite the economies of the Western Hemisphere into a single free trade arrangement. The Heads of State of the 34 democracies in the region agreed to construct a "Free Trade Area of the Americas" and to complete negotiations for the agreement by 2005.

Free travel: See clutch pedal free travel.

Freeway bar: !!!.

Freewheel: 1. Usually refers to the action of a vehicle on a downgrade when the overdrive over-running clutch is slipping with a resultant loss of engine braking. This condition will occur only after the overdrive unit is engaged but before the balk ring has activated the planetary gearset. 2. The removable cluster of gears at the rear wheel of a bicycle. Usually there are five or more gears. It also contains a ratcheting mechanism inside that allows the wheel to rotate forward while the pedals, chain, and gear sprockets remain still or move in reverse. The rear derailleur moves the chain from one gear to the other to change the gear ratio. The other end of the chain wraps around the chainwheel.

Freewheeling: In a motorized vehicle the illegal coasting by putting the transmission in neutral or disengaging the clutch.

Freeze: 1. To reach a temperature in which a liquid turns into a solid. See antifreeze 2. To adhere firmly. 3. To stop. .

Freeze plug: A removable plug on the block which can pop out should the coolant in the block freezes and expands. See expansion plug.

Freezing: When two parts that are rubbing together heat up and force the lubricant out of the area. As they create heat, they will expand and tear bits of metal from each other, then stick and refuse to move.

Freon: A gas used as the cooling medium in older air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Usually called freon-12.

Freon 12: See freon-12.

Freon-12: A gas used as the cooling medium in older air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Frequency Modulation: A term used to describe a type of radio frequency where the frequency of the wave changes rather than the amplitude. Also see AM/FM.

Friction: The resistance to movement between any two objects when placed in contact with each other. Friction causes wear and heat. In an engine, it robs it of some of its potential power. Friction is not constant but depends on the materials, type of surface finish, amount of pressure holding the two objects together, and the relative amount of movement between the objects. Lubrication like oil, grease, and other materials like graphite reduce friction. Also see anti-friction bearing and coefficient of friction.

Friction bearing: A bearing made of babbitt, bronze, etc. There are no moving parts (like an anti-friction bearing which has ball bearings). The smooth inner surface of the babbitt insert and the smooth surface of the shaft rub or slide against each other. To avoid disintegration, the bearing must use lubrication (i.e., wet friction). Friction bearings are less expensive and cheaper to service than antifriction bearings.

Friction disc: See clutch disc.

Friction drive: A method of power transmission used on early cars where power is transmitted from a driving to a driven wheel by means of pressing one wheel against another at a right angle.

Friction horsepower: The amount of power consumed by an engine in driving itself. It includes the power absorbed in mechanical friction and in driving auxiliaries plus, in the case of four-stroke engines, some pumping power.

Friction modifier: A substance which enhances the ability of oil to remain slippery. In most SH and SJ series oil, friction modifiers have been added to improve engine starting and prolong engine life. However, in engines with a wet clutch (i.e., the engine oil lubricates the clutch plates) such as motorcycle engines, oils with friction modifiers can cause the clutch to slip and may force the premature replacement of the clutch plates.

Friction shifter: See friction shifters.

Friction shifters: Conventional (non-index) levers of a bicycle that retain their position through the use of friction washers.

Front end alignment: See front-end alignment.

Front-end alignment: The adjustment of the camber and caster of the front wheels. See alignment.

Front fork: See fork.

Front Forks: See fork.

Front suspension: The springs, shock absorbers, linkages, etc. which support the front wheels. See independent front suspension.

Front triangle: Actually a quadrilateral with one short side, it is the section of a bicycle frame that consists of the head tube, the top tube, the seat tube, and the down tube. Also called "main triangle."

Front wheel tire clearance: The distance between the tire and the closest point on the vehicle laterally, longitudinally and vertically, checked lock to lock and all intermediate points.

Front wheel drive: See front-wheel drive.

Front-wheel drive: A vehicle that is pulled by its front wheels rather than being pushed by its rear wheels. The driveshaft and center floor hump is eliminated in front-wheel drive cars. The engine is located over the driving wheels so that it gains better traction in snow. Wear on the front tires can be severe.

Frost heaves: !!!.

FTA: Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

FTAA: Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.

Fuel: A combustible material used to produce energy. One of the essential factors in a combustion engine (Fuel, Air, Proper proportion of mixture, compression, timing, spark).

Fuel air mixture: See fuel-air mixture.

Fuel-air mixture: A combination of vaporized fuel and air which is brought into the cylinder through the carburetor or fuel injectors. When it is compressed and ignited, it produces the power needed to drive the engine.

Fuel air ratio: See fuel-air ratio.

Fuel-air ratio: The amount of fuel in comparison with the amount of air. This is the reciprocal of the air-fuel ratio.

Fuel burner: Competition vehicle with an engine set up to burn alcohol, nitro, etc. mixture instead of standard pump gasoline. Also called "fueller."

Fuel cells: !!!.

Fuel economy: The number of liters used per 100 kilometers of driving (a lower number is better); or the number of miles driven divided by the number of gallons used (a higher number is better). Also see EPA fuel economy.

Fuel efficiency: Although this factor is similar to fuel economy, it differs in that fuel efficiency involves getting the most amount of energy from an amount of fuel. It answers the question, "What percent of the fuel does this engine burn?".

Fuel filter: A device that removes impurities from the fuel before it gets to the carburetor. It is usually found near the carburetor in the fuel line that comes from the fuel pump (in-line fuel filter), or inside the carburetor or fuel pump (integral fuel filter). This unit must be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis, usually once a year or it will become clogged and restrict fuel to the carburetor. Without a filter, the jets and orifices in the carburetor will become clogged.

Fuel gauge: An instrument, usually located on the dashboard or center console, which indicates the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. Most gauges have a needle which fluctuates between "E" (empty) and "F" (full). Others show a digital readout of how many gallons or liters left in the tank. Also called "gas gauge."
Fuel injection: (FI) A fuel system that uses no carburetor but sprays fuel either directly into the cylinders or into the intake manifold just ahead of the cylinders. It uses an electronic sensing device to deliver the correct amount into the combustion chamber. Throttle-body injection locates the injector(s) centrally in the throttle-body housing, while port injection allocates at least one injector for each cylinder near its intake port.

Fuel injector: See fuel injector nozzle.

Fuel injector nozzle: The device that works like a hypodermic needle to inject the proper amount of fuel into the combustion chamber in response to signals from an electronic sensing device on cars with fuel injection systems. It receive fuel at low pressure and shoot it into the engine cylinders at predetermined intervals under higher pressure. Also called "fuel injector valve" or just "fuel injector."

Fuel injector valve: See fuel injector nozzle.

Fuel knock: See detonation.

Fuel line: The hose or pipe through which the fuel passes from the fuel tank to the fuel pump to the carburetor or fuel injector nozzle.

Fuel mixture: A mixture of gasoline and air. An average mixture, by weight, would contain 16 parts of air to one part of gasoline. See air-fuel mixture.

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