| Balance shaft |
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| A shaft designed so that, as it rotates, it vibrates in a way that reduces or cancels some of the vibration produced by an engine. Not essential to an engine`s operation, balance shafts are nonetheless becoming increasingly common as a means of engine refinement. Balance-shafted four-cylinder engines use two shafts turning in opposite directions on either side of the engine`s crankshaft. A single balance shaft is used when fitted to three-cylinder and V-6 engines |
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| Ball Joint |
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| A flexible joint consisting of a ball in a socket, used primarily in front suspensions because it can accommodate a wide range of angular motion. The ball joint allows the wheel to steer and move with the suspension and still receive power from the engine. The term ball joint can also be used to refer to how suspension components are attached.
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| Barrel |
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| For automotive applications, the reference applies to carburetors. "2bbl." means that the carburetor has 2 barrels or venturi (or fuel nozzles). A "4bbl." carburetor has 4 barrels, etc. The number of venturi determine the amount of fuel that the carburetor can supply. A 4bbl. carburetor can usually provide more fuel than a similar 2bbl. unit.
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| Beam Axle |
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| A rigid axle supporting the non-driven wheels. Also called a dead axle.
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| Belt drive |
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| A system where the final drive from gearbox to wheels is by leather or rubber belts that are contained on pulleys. Today many of the engine-driven auxiliaries use belt drives.
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| Beltline |
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| The line running around a car`s body formed by the bottom edges of its glass panels.
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| Belts |
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| Belts are used to drive many engine accessories. Most overhead cam(OHC) engines use cogged (toothed) belts to drive the camshaft(s). Belts drive the power steering pump, water pump, air-conditioning compressors, etc.
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| Berline |
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| From World War I, it described a closed luxury car with small windows, which allowed the occupants to see out but to be barely seen from the outside.
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| Bevel Gears |
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| A gearset employing gears shaped like slices of a cone, which allows the axes of the gears to be nonparallel. Bevel gears are used to transmit motion through an angle.
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| Boost Pressure |
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| The increase above atmospheric pressure produced inside the intake manifold by any supercharger. It is commonly measured in psi, inches of mercury, or bar.
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| Bore |
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| The diameter of a gasoline or steam reciprocating engine cylinder. The displacement can be increased by increasing the diameter (reboring). |
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| Brake Bias |
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| The front/rear distribution of a car`s braking power. For the shortest stopping distance, brake bias should match the car`s traction at each end during hard braking brake modulation: the process of varying pedal pressure to hold a car`s brakes on the verge of lockup. Ideally, the brakes will unlock with only a slight reduction in the pressure needed to lock them. Typically, however, a considerable pressure reduction is required |
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| Brake Horsepower (bhp.) |
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| The measure of an engine`s horsepower without the loss in power caused by the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump and other auxiliaries. The actual horsepower delivered to the driving wheels is less.
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| Brake Torquing |
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| A procedure generally used in performance tests to improve the off-the-line acceleration of a car equipped with an automatic transmission. It is executed by firmly depressing the brake with the left foot, applying the throttle with the car in gear to increase engine rpm, then releasing the brakes. Brake torquing is particularly effective with turbo charged cars because it helps overcome turbo lag.
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| Brakes, Antilock |
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| (ABS) An acronym for Antilock Braking System. ABS eliminates wheel lockup during braking and loss of steering control on slippery surfaces. Speed sensors monitor each wheel and reduce brake pressure on any wheel rotating significantly slower than the others. ABS systems are 2, 3, or 4-channel systems. 2-channel systems combine 2 wheels, such as the left front and right rear into one channel. The right front and left rear wheel form the other channel. Any wheel lockup causes brake pressure reduction on both wheels of each channel. 3-channel ABS systems combine the rear wheels into one channel. The front wheels have individual channels. The most sophisticated ABS systems use 4-channels, one for each wheel, for maximum control and braking power. |
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| Brakes, Calipers |
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| Brake pads are mounted to calipers, which float next to the brake disc. The caliper ensures that the brake pads exert even pressure on the disc.
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| Brakes, Disc |
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| A brake that uses a disc shaped rotor and calipers that hold friction pads. The rotor is attached to the wheel hub and spins with it. The calipers are stationary. When the brake pedal is depressed, the calipers press on the side of the side of the rotor. The friction pads slow the rotor as needed. Most vehicles use disc brakes on the front wheels. Disc brakes can shed heat and retain their braking power better than drum brakes |
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| Brakes, Drum |
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| A brake that uses an enclosed rotating drum or can and stationary pads(shoes). When the brake pedal is depressed, the brake shoes contact the sides of the can and slow the wheel. Drum brakes are usually mounted on rear wheels. Drum brakes are prone to fade, or heat buildup, which reduces their effectiveness.
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| Breathing (engine) |
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| A term used to describe an engine`s ability to fill its cylinders with air-fuel mixture and then discharge the burnt exhaust gases. In general, the more air-fuel mixture an engine burns the more power it produces.
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| Bushing |
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| A simple suspension bearing that accommodates limited rotary motion, typically made of two coaxial steel tubes bonded to a sleeve of rubber between them. The compliance of the bushing in different directions has a great effect on ride harshness and handling. |
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| By-pass Valve |
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| A general term for a valve that lets liquid or air circumvent a filter. For example, an oil bypass valve allows oil to circulate when the oil filter is clogged |
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