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

Tach: tachometer.

Tachograph: Instrument to record, on a graph, vehicle trip information such as mph, rpm, "stop" and "go" periods.

Tachometer: (tach) A device used to indicate the speed of the engine in rpm. The tachometer is mounted on or near the dashboard (some even appear on the hood and others in a heads-up display on the windshield). It helps the driver to know the optimum rpm for changing gears on manual transmissions. A tachometer is also a diagnostic device which a mechanic uses to determine idle speed and other carburetor and running settings.

Tack: A term used to describe the sticky quality of a rubber compound.

Tack coat: The first coat of enamel that is allowed to dry until "tacky" usually about 10-30 minutes, depending on the amount of thinner used. The surface is "tacky" when it will not stick to the finger when light pressure is applied.

Tack rag: A cloth impregnated with a non-drying varnish that is used to pick up dust and dirt particles.

Tail: See kamm tail.

Tailgate: 1. On a truck it is the fold down access door to the truck bed. On a station wagon, it is the rear door. 2. As a verb, to follow closely behind another vehicle.

Tail pipe: exhaust pipe which runs from the muffler to the rear of the vehicle. and is open to the atmosphere, through which the exhaust gases are routed into the atmosphere.

Talbot Lago: All 150C models are classic cars.

Talbot: All 105C and 110C models are classic cars. The 1946-54 Lago 4.5 models are milestone cars.

Talc: Powder lubricant to prevent sticking between tube and tire.

Tandem: 1. A bicycle that provides seats, bars, and pedals for two or more riders, one behind the other. 2. A tractor-trailer truck.

Tandem axle: See tandem axles.

Tandem axles: A combination of two axles having a common suspension.

Tandem drive: Two powered axles in combination.

Tank: A container into which any liquid can be held. Also it may even be empty such as a vacuum tank. Also see expansion tank, fuel tank, and vacuum tank.

Tank bag: !!!.

Tank bib: !!!.

Tank chap: !!!.

Tap: 1. To cut threads in a hole or tube. 2. The fluted tool used to cut the threads.

Tap and die set: A set of taps and dies for internal and external threading, usually covers a range of the most popular sizes.

Taper: A gradual narrowing. Also see worm and taper pin.

Tapered roller bearing: An antifriction bearing using a series of tapered, hardened steel rollers operating between an outer and inner hardened steel race.

Tappet: The screw used to adjust the clearance between the valve stem and the lifter or the rocker arm. Also see bucket tappet, cam follower, roller tappets, and valve tappet.

Tappet noise: Noise caused by the lash or clearance between the valve stem and rocker arm or between the valve stem and valve lifter.

Tar: A black, sticky substance made from petroleum. It is useful for patching cracks in the road. However, when driving over it, the wheels kick up particles of it on a vehicle's painted surface. See bug and tar remover.

Tare weight: The weight of a truck, exclusive of its contents, but including gas, oil, etc., ready to roil. Also called "curb weight."

Targa: A removable-roof body style popularized by Porsche that is similar to a convertible except that it incorporates a fixed, roll-bar-like structure running from side to side behind the front seats.

Tariff: A duty or tax imposed on imports.

Tar remover: See bug and tar remover.

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

Taxi: A vehicle used for transporting people for hire.

T Bone: 1. Model-T Ford car. 2. To hit another vehicle against its side.

T-Bone: Model-T Ford car.

T-boned: Hitting another vehicle on its side.

T-connector: Any connector in the shape of the letter "T" -- often referring to a hollow unit. For example, the line coming from the windshield washer pump is connected to the bottom part of a "T" and the crossbar at the top sends the fluid to the two nozzles (one on each side of the windshield). It differs from a Y-connector in that the crossbar is straight across while the Y-connector has a V-shape crossbar.

TDC: Acronym for "top dead center."

Tear it down: See pull it down.

Teflon: A plastic with excellent self-lubricating (slippery) bearing properties.

Tele: Abbreviation for "telescoping steering wheel."

Telescoping steering wheel: (tele) A steering column which can be shortened or lengthened to provide the most comfortable driving position.

Temper: To effect a change in the physical structure of a piece of steel through the use of heat and cold.

Temperature control: See automatic temperature control.

Temperature gauge: An instrument for measure the temperature of the coolant in engine block.

Tempered glass: See laminated windshield.

Template: A pre-cut pattern, usually metal, used to determine the contour of a buffed tire. Also see buffing template.

Tensile strength: Regarding a tire, it is a measurement of the greatest longitudinal stress a tire cord can bear without breaking.

Tension: A pulling or stretching stress applied to an object. Also see high tension leads, and low tension leads.

Terminal: 1. A connecting point in an electric circuit. 2. When referring to the battery, it would indicate the two battery posts. Also see negative terminal, positive terminal, and primary terminal.

Tether kill switch: A safety device used on snowmobiles and personal watercraft. One end is attached to the operator's wrist and the other end is plugged into a special switch. When the operator falls off his vehicle, the tether pulls out of the switch causing the engine to die.

Tetrachloride: See carbon tetrachloride.

Tetraethyl lead: a lead compound used as an additive to increase the octane rating and reduce the knock or detonation tendencies of gasoline. Also see lead free.

T Ford: Model-T Ford car.

T-Ford: Model-T Ford car.

TFT: Acronym for "Thin Film Technology".

T-handle socket: A tool in which a socket has been welded to a long rod (about 8 to 10 inches). At the other end of the rod, a crossbar has been welded. Thus it is formed in the shape of the letter "T". In some instances it speeds up the removal and installation of bolts.

T head: See T-head engine and engine type.

T-head: See T-head engine and engine type.

T head engine: See T-head engine.

T-head engine: An engine in which the arrangement of the valves on either side of the combustion chamber creates a "T" configuration. Usually the intake valves are on one side and the exhaust on the other. The modern crossflow cylinder heads are variations on this old concept. But the original design is not in current use.

Thermal: See British Thermal Unit, thermal efficiency, and thermal reactor.

Thermal deterioration: Loss of strength of carcass cords due to heat generated in a tire.

Thermal efficiency: The percentage of the heat developed in the burning fuel charge that is actually used to develop power determines thermal efficiency. When fuel is combusted in an engine not all the fuel is converted into power. Some is lost in overcoming friction and some escapes down the tail pipe in the hot exhaust gases so this percentage is always less than 100%. Efficiency will vary according to engine design, use, etc. If an engine uses a great deal of the heat to produce power, its thermal efficiency would be high.

Thermal equilibrium: The point at which the rate of cooling becomes equal to the rate of heat generation in a tire. Also called "heat balance."

Thermal reactor: A high-volume thermally isolated chamber replacing the exhaust manifold and providing a place for high-temperature afterburning of exhaust pollutants. Found on all Mazda rotary engines and some piston engines (BMW for example) as well.

Thermostat: A temperature sensitive device used in the cooling system of an engine to control the flow of coolant between the cylinder block and radiator. It is set into the engine block and shuts off the circulation of water until the temperature of the water reaches the point at which the thermostat is set to open. Because automotive internal combustion engines operate more efficiently when their temperature is maintained within narrow limits, the thermostat closes off the flow of coolant from the engine to the radiator until the engine has reached the desired operating temperature. Other thermostats are used in the electrical circuit of the vehicle heating system to control the amount of heat supplied to the passengers, in the manifold heat control system that preheats the air-fuel mixture going to the cylinders, and in the automatic choke.

Thermostatic coil choke: A sensing device mounted on the carburetor that automatically controls the choke butterfly valve by sensing the heat of the exhaust manifold. Also see choke.

Thermostatic spring choke: A sensing device that automatically controls the choke butterfly valve by sensing the heat of the exhaust manifold. Also see choke.

Thinner: The solvent used to thin lacquers and enamels to the proper consistency for application.

Third brush: A generator in which a third, movable brush is used to control current output.

Third hand: A tool used on bicycles to squeeze the brakes together against the rim so that adjustments can be made to the cable.

Thompson rotovalve: A type of valve which rotates as it opens and closes.

Thou: An abbreviation for "thousandth" or one divided by a thousand; a small measurement representing 1/1000th of an inch as in Ten thou (0.01) is equal to 0.25 mm".

Thread: The spiral grooves on a screw, bolt, or nut. See left-hand thread and right-hand thread.

Three-quarter race camshaft: A description of the custom camshaft indicating the type of lobe grinding which, in turn, dictates the type of use. Other grinds are one-quarter race, full-race, street-grind, etc.

3-spd: Abbreviation for "three-speed," either manual transmission or automatic transmission.

Three speed: A transmission which has three forward gears.

Three-speed: A transmission which has three forward gears.

Three-speed transmission: A transmission which has three forward gears.

Three way catalytic converter: See three-way catalytic converter.

Three-way catalytic converter: A pollution control device which reduces all three noxious substances: HC, CO, and NOx.

Throttle: The device that controls the vacuum created in the venturi of the carburetor. The greater the vacuum, the richer the fuel-air mixture. The throttle enables the engine to run on a richer mixture and produce more power for high-speed driving. It consists of a throttle arm, located on the outside of the carburetor and connected to the gas pedal (or throttle twist grip on a motorcycle), which in turn activates a throttle butterfly valve at the base of the carburetor barrel, where it joins the intake manifold.

Throttle arm: The lever that actuates the throttle.

Throttle body: A housing containing a valve to regulate the airflow through the intake manifold. The throttle-body is usually located between the air cleaner and the intake plenum.

Throttle body fuel injection: A form of fuel injection in which the injectors are located at the engine's throttle body, thereby feeding fuel to more than one cylinder. Such an arrangement saves money by using fewer injectors; but because it routes both fuel and air through the intake manifold, it eliminates some of the tuning possibilities offered by port fuel injection.

Throttle butterfly: A valve in the throat of the carburetor which regulates the amount of the flow of gasoline. See throttle valve.

Throttle pedal: The gas pedal which operates the throttle butterfly through a series of linkages.

Throttle valve: A valve in the carburetor. It is used to control the amount of air-fuel mixture that reaches the cylinders. Usually consists of a flat round disc mounted on a shaft so that it can be tilted at various angles in the carburetor throttle valve body. It is connected by suitable linkage to the accelerator pedal.

Throw: 1. The offset portion of the crankshaft designed to accept the connecting rod. Also see crankpin. 2. The distance from the center of the crankshaft main bearing to the center of the connecting rod journal. The piston stroke is twice the throw distance.

Throwing a rod: The action of breaking a connecting rod. Often the rod will force its way out of the side of the engine resulting in major damage which is expensive to repair. In most cases the rod breaks because of the lack of enough oil to cool the rod.

Throw-out: See throw-out bearing and clutch throw-out fork.

Throw out: See throw-out bearing and clutch throw-out fork.

Throw out bearing: See throw-out bearing.

Throw-out bearing: A part of the clutch, activated by the clutch pedal, that allows the clutch to disengage. If you allow the vehicle to idle in gear with the clutch pedal depressed, instead of shifting to neutral gear, you can wear out the throw-out bearing. Also called the "clutch release bearing." Also see free pedal play.

Throwout fork: See clutch throw-out fork.

Throw-out fork: See clutch throw-out fork.

Thrust: To surge powerfully upward or press outward. See camber thrust, piston thrust, thrust bearing and thrust washer.

Thrust bearing: A bearing with flanges on its two sides that prevents a shaft such as the crankshaft from moving endwise. In the engine crankshaft assembly these flanges are a close fit to the two sides of the crankpin. If the crankshaft tends to shift one way or the other the crankpin sides come up against the flanges preventing excessive endwise movement.

Thrust washer: A bronze or a hardened steel washer placed between two moving parts. The washer prevents longitudinal movement and provides a bearing surface for the thrust surfaces of the parts.

Thunderbird: The 1955-57 and 1958-60 models are milestone cars.

Tie-down: A device for securing a load usually made of straps and hooks.

Tie rod: A rod, or rods, connecting the steering arms together. It links the pitman arm and the idler arm to the steering knuckle arms. When the tie rod is moved, the wheels pivot.

Tie rod arm: See steering arm.

Tie rod end: See tie rod ends.

Tie rod ends: A type of ball joint which transfers the movements of the steering wheel to the wheels. Grease fittings or ball joints located on the ends of the steering linkage.

Tier 1 Supplier: manufacturer to the vehicle assemblers who are responsible for delivery of the finished assembly, product development and continued technology renewal.

Tier 2 Supplier: producer of parts providing value-added to minor sub-assembly.

Tier 3 Supplier: supplier of engineered materials and special services, such as rolls of sheet steel, bars and heat treating, surface treatments.

Tilt: Abbreviation for "tilt steering wheel."

Tilt steering wheel: (tilt) A steering wheel which moves up or down or which can be set at a different angle. In this way, the driver can find the most comfortable position and also allows easier entry and exit from the vehicle.

Timing: One of the essential factors in a internal combustion engine (Fuel, Air, Proper proportion of mixture, compression, Timing, spark). When the piston is in the compression stroke, both valves must be closed. If one or more is open, the valve timing is out. Perhaps a timing belt or timing chain has jumped a tooth. If the spark does not arrive at the correct moment, the engine is out of time. If this ignition timing is only slightly off, the engine may run with less efficiency.

Timing belt: A toothed belt driven by the crankshaft and operates the camshaft. It causes the valves to open and close at the proper time. When an engine is rebuilt, it is important to line up the crankshaft sprocket and camshaft sprocket before applying the belt. When the belt breaks, often a valve will remain open and be hit by the rising piston causing the valve to bend and other internal damage.

Timing chain: A drive chain driven by the crankshaft and operates the camshaft. It causes the valves to open and close at the proper time. When an engine is rebuilt, it is important to line up the crankshaft sprocket and camshaft sprocket before applying the chain. When the chain often a valve will remain open and be hit by the rising piston causing the valve to bend and other internal damage.

Timing gear: Both the gear attached to the camshaft and the gear on the crankshaft. They provide a means of driving the camshaft. This system is used where long life and hard service are expected as in commercial vehicles and race cars. Using gears is generally a noisier method than using a timing chain or a cog belt to drive the camshaft.

Timing gears: See timing gear.

Timing light: A stroboscopic unit that is connected to the secondary circuit to produce flashes of light in unison with the firing of a specific spark plug. By directing these flashes of light on the whirling timing marks, the marks appear to stand still. By adjusting the distributor, the timing marks may be properly aligned, thus setting the timing. Xenon timing lights have the advantage over neon lights because they are more visible in daylight.

Timing mark: See timing marks.

Timing marks: 1. Marks or notches, usually located on the vibration damper, used to synchronize the ignition system so that the plugs will fire at the precise time. 2. One tooth on either the camshaft or crankshaft gear will be marked with an indentation or some other mark. Another mark will be found on the other gear between two of the teeth. The two gears must be meshed so that the marked tooth meshes with the marked spot on the other gear.

Tin Lizzie: An affectionate name for the Model T Ford of which 15,007,033 were built.

Tinning: coating a piece of metal with a very thin layer of solder.

Tire: The rubber part of the wheel which contacts the ground. The construction can be bias-ply, bias-belted, or radial. The plies are made of rayon, nylon, and polyester. Belting can be fiberglass, steel, or kevlar. The rest of the tire is hard rubber. Also see knobby tires, pneumatic tire, sew-up tire, tubular tire, and wired-on tire.

Tire aging: The deterioration of rubber properties by oxidation over a period of time.

Tire balance: Because tires turn at relatively high speeds, they must be carefully weighted so that they do not bounce or vibrate when they rotate. Two basic kinds of balancing are static balance and dynamic balance.

Tire bead: That portion of the tire that bears against the rim flange. The bead has a number of turns of steel wire in it to provide great strength.

Tire casing: The main body of the tire exclusive of the tread, tube, etc.

Tire clearance: See vertical tire clearance, longitudinal tire clearance, lateral tire clearance, and front wheel tire clearance.

Tire deviation angle: An angle formed by the direction of travel of a vehicle and the steered direction (that which the wheels are pointing). It is produced by distortions within the tire, due to external forces. Not to be confused by actual slipping or skidding. Also called slip angle.

Tire dressing: Paint, black glossy or dull finish, to improve appearance of tire sidewalls.

Tire gauge: An instrument for determining the pressure in a tube or tire.

Tier growth: The stretching of textile tire cord materials due to heat and loss of strength, resulting in the casing increasing in size.

Tire iron: A tool for removing a tire from the rim of a wheel. Also see spoon.

Tire jack: A device which is used to lift one corner of a vehicle so that a wheel can be removed and replaced in the event of a flat tire. See jack.

Tire lever: A tire iron.

Tire paint: A black paint, compatible to tire bodies, used to enhance the appearance of a tire after retreading.

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Page Updated Sun May 20, 2001 8:08pm EDT