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| Magneto | An ignition system component which generates the electrical power for ignition of combustion with a system of magnets and coils in relative motion. |
| Main Bearing Cap | A reciprocating engine component which has provision for E nominally half of one main crankshaft bearing, and which, when attached to the engine block, may also provide lateral location for the crankshaft. |
| Manifold | A passive device for conveying gases into or out of an engine, generally to achieve the connection of differing numbers of ducts. |
| Master Cylinder | A hydraulic component of the braking system which produce positive pressure in the hydraulic lines on the application of mechanical force. |
| Master Switch | A safety switch which can be actuated by the driver or other to disable all operating electrical functions, without disconnecting the electrical supply to any fire system present. |
| McPherson Strut | (See strut type suspension) A front suspension type utilizing a strut with integral tubular shock absorber and coil spring, with the steering swivel axis that of the strut/shock. Upper location is by strut only. |
| Metallic | A material having iridescent or specular (mirror-like) reflective
qualities ~ (e.g. aluminum foil). |
| Metering Rod | A carburetor component which aids in the metering of fuel flow |
| Mirror (Rear View) | A reflective device whose sole purpose is to enable the driver's field of vision to extend in a rearward direction. |
| Modify | To change a component by reworking, but not by replacing. |
| Monocoque | A frameless construction in which the main structure of a car is composed of a permanent assembly of panels to which the running gear, suspension and body are attached. |
| Motor Mount | See Engine Mount. |
| Mudguard | A partial fender, generally not contiguous with the car body. |
| Muffler | A component, whose function is to reduce the sound level from an exhaust system. |
| Nitride (Vet) | To heat process ferrous metal components so as to increase the surface hardness. |
| 0-Ring | A seal or gasket, generally made from an elastomer or metal, in the shape of a torus with a circular cross section. |
| O E M | Original Equipment Manufacturer. |
| Offset Key | A metal drive key for coupling a shaft and a pulley, wheel, or sprocket, in which opposite radial ends of the key are offset to achieve adjustment of the phase relationship of the driving and driven parts. |
| OHC (Overhead Cam) | A type of reciprocating engine in which the camshaft(s) are located in the cylinder head(s), and act on the valves, either directly or through a linkage. |
| OHV (Overhead Valve) | A type of reciprocating engine in which the camshaft(s) are located in the engine block, and act on the valves through linkage, generally including pushrods and rocker arms. |
| Oil Filter | An engine accessory intended to intercept all or a portion of the lubricant circulating from the oil pump, and to remove, by trapping, solid particles from the lubricant. |
| Oil Galley | A passage within an engine block which carries the flowing lubricant to various internal distribution points. |
| Oil Line | A hose or pipe, external to the engine, which conveys lubricating oil from one point to another. |
| Oil Pan | An oil sump fixed to the bottom of an engine. |
| Oil Passage | A duct within an engine component intended to convey lubricating oil. |
| Oil Pump | A mechanically-driven pump designed to draw lubricant from a reservoir, or sump, and supply it under pressure to the balance of the lubrication system. |
| Oil Strainer | A screen surrounding the oil pickup in an engine which is intended to keep relatively large solid particles from being drawn into the pump. |
| Oil Sump | The container in which the return lubricant from the engine is collected to form the supply from which the pump may draw. |
| Outline | A line that marks the outer limits of an object or figure. |
| Overhang | The distance which the end of the bodywork extends away from the I wheels at the referenced end of the car |
| Panhard Rod | A rear axle lateral locating device, which has one end connected via a link to the axle housing, and the other end connected to the car structure or bodywork. |
| Parkerizing | A commercial process in which a metal part, usually a camshaft, is treated to increase resistance to break-in scuffing. |
| Parking Brake | See Hand Brake. |
| Parking Light | A non-racing lighting component, frequently combined with lighting components of other functions, intended to illuminate the extremities of a car while parked. |
| Phase | The angular relationship between two rotating components, or between one (1) rotating component and a periodic event. |
| Pickup (Suspension) | The location of attachment of a suspension component on the frame or structure of a car. |
| Pilot Bearing | A bearing, generally within one end of a shaft, which is intended to support another shaft under conditions of relative rotary motion. |
| Piston | A reciprocating engine component whose functions are to provide a partial vacuum with which to induce the flow of fuel/air into the combustion region, to convert the combustion pressures to reciprocating motion, and to expel exhaust gases. |
| Piston Ring | A reciprocating engine component which, when mounted on a piston, provides either sealing or oil control functions when the engine is in operation. |
| Pitman Arm | A steering system component which translates the rotation of the steering gears to a linear motion of steering links. |
| Plenum | An induction system chamber generally interposed between I catturetor(s) or air intake(s) and ducts feeding ports. |
| Points (Ignition) | The switch portion of a distributor actuated by cam lobes, which interrupts the current flowing through the primary windings of an ignition coil, thus generating high voltage pulses which are conveyed to the spark plug. |
| Polish (Verb) | To reduce the roughness of a surface by mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical means. |
| Port | See Intake, Exhaust Ports. |
| Power Brakes | A braking system in which the driver-initiated mechanical force acting on a master cylinder is assisted by a servo mechanism, generally derived from manifold vacuum. |
| Power Steering | A steering system in which the driver-initiated force acting on the steering gears is assisted by a servo mechanism, usually involving an engine-driven hydraulic pump. |
| Pressure Equalizing Device | A braking system component intended to equalize or allow adjustment of the relative pressures in separate branches of the hydraulic system (e.g. front/rear). |
| Pressure Plato | The clutch assembly component which provides the force necessary to couple the engine to the next component in the drive train through friction surfaces. |
| Pressure Regulator Spring | A spring whose installed force determines the pressure at which a valve or valve system will open to allow the flow of fluid. |
| Profile (Verb) | To measure or to reshape the contour of a camshaft lobe, rocker arm or similar component. |
| Propeller Shaft | See Drive Shaft. |
| Proportioning Valve | A braking system component intended to allow adjustment of the hydraulic pressures available in separate branches of the system (e.g., front/rear). |
| Pulley | A rotational attachment for a drive belt. |
| Pushrod | A cylindrical or tubular reciprocating engine component which transmits a reciprocating motion arising from camshaft rotation to or toward the valves. |
| Pushrod Tube | An engine component which encloses a pushrod in the region between the engine block and the cylinder head. |
| Qualifier | (a) One who receives a time, or (b) One who is waived into a race by the Chief Steward and starts the race. |
| Racers Tape | Generally duct tape, an adhesive, fabric-backed tape. |
| Rack and Pinion | A type of steering system, or the gear components thereof, in which the rotary motions of a pinion gear attached to the steering shaft act on a rack, or linear gear. |
| Radiator (Cooler) | A heat exchanger intended to remove heat from engine or gear fluids. |
| Radius (Verb) | To contour an abrupt edge on a component by increasing the radius of the transition. |
| Rain Rare | A racing tire intended solely for competition in wet conditions. |
| Ram Air | A type of induction system in which the incoming air is obtained from an extension into the airstream outside the bodywork. |
| Ratio (Gear) | The number of rotations of the drive shaft which produces one(1) a rotation of the driven shaft(s). |
| Rebound | A suspension term referring to motion in the upward direction. |
| Reciprocating Engine | An internal combustion engine in which the driven actions of one or more pistons are converted to the rotary motion of a crankshaft. |
| Relief Valve | A check valve intended to vent at a predetermined pressure differential. |
| Repair (Verb) | To remove the effect(s) of accidental damage to a component, returning it to original or legally modified dimensions and function. |
| Replica | A component identical to or very similar in appearance and function to the original which it replaces. |
| Resistor Spark Plug | An ignition system spark plug containing electrical resistance which is intended to reduce radio interference. |
| RIde Height | The distance from level ground to the specified portion of the car, with
the tires, wheels, air pressure, etc., as normally raced. |
| Rim Width | The distance between the opposing lateral sides of a road wheel in the region where the bead of a tire seats. Measuring method per tire and rim association standard. |
| Ring Gear | The main driven gear in a final drive assembly, driven by a pinion gear. Also the starter engagement gear on a flywheel. |
| Rocker Arm | A valve train component which transfers the motions of the camshaft, often with a multiplication of travel, to a valve. |
| Rocker Cover | See Valve Cover |
| Rocker Panel | The body panel closest to the ground extending along either outer side of a car between the wheels. |
| Rod End | A load-bearing threaded mechanical coupling with angular freedom of the relative axes and which allows rotation of the inner portion with respect to the outer |
| Roll Bar | A safety device designed to protect the driver from injury in the event of a roll over accident. See GCR Section 18. |
| Roll Cage | An extension of a minimal roll bar, designed to protect the driver from iniury from accidental forces in several directions. See GCR Section 18. |
| Roller Cam Follower | An engine component (tappet) which utilizes a rolling member to contact the camshaft. |
| Rotary Engine | A non-reciprocating engine of the NSU-Wankel type. |
| Rotary Engine Rotor | The main rotating component of a rotary engine, which essentially accomplishes the compression, power delivery and exhaust functions of a reciprocating engine in constrained rotation in a specially shaped housing. |
| Rotary Piston | See Rotary Engine Rotor |
| Rotor Housing | The housing of a rotary engine in which the rotor rotates. Analogous to the engine block of a reciprocating engine. |
| Rub Strip | Expendable material added to bottom of a car to prevent contact with the road surface from damaging non-expendable portions of the car |
| Runner | A duct of an induction system leading to the cylinder head. |
| Running Light | A signaling light of specified size and location, which can be activated by driver control, and is intended to improve the ability of other drivers to detect the signaling car. |
| Scattershield | A stationary safety device intended to protect the driver in the a event of catastrophic clutch/flywheel failure |
| Scraper | A passive internal attachment to an oil pan whose purpose is to control the return flow of lubricant by removing it from the rotating crankshaft. |
| Seal | A conformable sealing component generally used to inhibit the passage of fluids along the shafts of moving parts, such as valves, master cylinders, etc. |
| Seat Belt | A safety strap, generally containing the attachment/release mechanism for all other safety straps, intended to restrain the driver against forces tending to move the driver See GCR Section 17. |
| Section Width | The lateral cross section of a tire, sidewall to sidewall. |
| Servo Assist | The application of mechanical assistance, through vacuum or hydraulic or other external action, to reduce the forces required from the driver |
| Shaved Tread | A tire tread which has been abraded or cut to reduce the tread depth. |
| Shift Fork | A transmission or transaxle component which directly moves gears into engagement or disengagement in response to driver actions. |
| Shock Absorber | A device intended to dampen the actions of road springs. |
| Shot Blasting | See Shot Peening. |
| Shot/Glass Peening | A treatment, consisting of impelling small glass or metal balls into metal pads, intended to reduce stresses in components. |
| Shoulder Harness | A safety strap assembly intended to restrain the drivers upper body under conditions of rapid reduction of forward velocity. See GOR Section 17. |
| Side Marker Light | A small light fixture normally mounted on the side of a fender, which is intended to make the car more readily visible from the side under appropriate conditions. |
| Sidles (Cart) | Tapered carburetor fuel flow metering shafts, or tapered shafts used in float shutoff valves. |
| Signal Light | A light fixture used to signal turns or, in some cases, stops. |
| Slave Cylinder | A hydraulic system component which achieves the conversion of hydraulic pressure to mechanical force, usually to accomplish a disengagement of the clutch. |
| Space Frame | An automotive frame constructed of multiple small tubes. See also Tube Frame. |
| Spark Plug | An engine component which, by means of high voltage supplied by an ignition system, initiates the combustion of the air/fuel mixture. |
| Specification | A detailed presentation of parameters which determine the performance or suitability of a system or assembly of systems to accomplish design goals. |
| Spherical Bearing | A load-bearing connector in which the central portion is convex and the outer portion is concave, allowing both angular displacements of the axes and relative rotation. |
| Spider Gears | Components of the torque division section of a conventional differential gear assembly. |
| Spindle (Stub Axle) | The shaft, and integral assembly supporting a wheel hub, and often, braking and/or steering components. |
| Spoiler | A panel attached to the body of a car at the front or rear, intended to alter the airflow around or under that end of the car when in motion. |
| Spring Cap | See Valve Spring Retainer |
| Spring Shock | A suspension assembly containing a coil spring surrounding a tubular shock absorber. |
| Spring Washer | A spacer designed to exert force against securing pressure, thus reducing the tendency of an attached threaded fastener to separate. |
| Sprocket | A gear made specifically for use with a drive chain. |
| Stabilizer | An attachment to the suspension system, not usually part of the suspension, which aids in maintaining the relative alignment of a wheel or wheels to the car |
| Starter (Self Starter) | An electrical device which is used to initiate normal engine operation by converting electrical energy into mechanical rotation of the engine. |
| Starter Ring | The gear on the outer periphery of a flywheel for application of drive from a starter |
| Stayrod | A rigid reinforcement bar or rod interconnecting opposite sides of a car
at structurally significant locations. |
| Steering Arm | The rigid link in a steering system which conveys the steering action from the steering gears and leakage to a wheel assembly. |
| Steering Column | The shaft forming the connection between the steering wheel and the steering gear, through which driver-initiated steering motions are transmitted. |
| Steering Linkage | The various components, exclusive of gears, steering column and steering wheel, which transmit the driver's steering motions to the steered wheels. |
| Steering Lack | The degree of turning motion given to the steering wheel, and hence to the steered wheels. "Full lock' denotes the maximum available turning angle. |
| Steering Lack Mechanism | An antitheft device used to lock the steering shaft or wheel when the ignition key is withdrawn. |
| Streamlining | Smoothing the airflow over a portion of the car |
| Stroke | The length of travel of an engine piston from uppermost to lowermost positions. |
| Strut (Stabilizer) | A rigid beam used to assist in the location of suspension components. |
| Strut Type Suspension | Strut suspension consists of three pivoting attachment points including a single upper attachment point, the spindle being mounted on a telescoping post with no vertical movement at the top attachment point. |
| Stub Axle | See Spindle. |
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