# Names of weird or abscure car parts
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 1, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628 "2003-04-01T03:39:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@modro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/modro)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/21 "2003-04-02T03:26:57Z")
Dashpot
Part of some carbs, used to prevent stalling in certain vehicles, cars that spring to mind are some old Chryslers with the hy-drive transmission, a two speed manual with an torque converter. The dashpot kept it from stalling when coasting to a stop.
Choke Tube - British term for Venturi (carb barrel)
Crown Wheel - Ring Gear
Dynamo - Generator
Nave Plate - Hubcap
Prop Shaft - Driveshaft
Needless to say, British car terms are a good way to confuse people.
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### Author:  [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/22 "2003-04-02T03:35:44Z")
My 1971 MGB has a ‘gulp valve’.
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### Author:  [@juji\_mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/juji_mojo)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/23 "2003-04-02T13:11:33Z")
Ahem.
[Simpsons reference]
“Iraqi Peanut steering”
[/Simpsons reference]
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### Author:  [@tunabreath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tunabreath)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/24 "2003-04-02T14:10:07Z")
Another British term is “wing”. Every car has 4 of them, a “wing” is a fender. I have a '68 Thiumph GT6 and what is refered to on most cars as the clutch fork or clutch lever is called the “operating lever” in my car. No reference to the clutch whatsoever.
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### Author:  [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/25 "2003-04-02T14:23:45Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Booker57 \*
> \*\*
> ISO = International Standards Organization. Ask your friend about “Bubble Flare” brake lines.
> \*\*
\
This is incorrect. ISO’s English name is International Organization for Standardization. The name is not an acronym, it comes from the Greek prefix meaning “equal”.
\
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### Author:  [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/26 "2003-04-02T17:55:09Z")
Well, there is the **magneto** , which is an electrical part that produces the AC power for the spark plugs in certain models of car. I looked it up after seeing _X-men_ and finding it amusing that Wolverine would ask, “Magneto? What’s a Magneto?”
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/27 "2003-04-02T22:39:50Z")
In older electronic ignitions, you’ll find a **reluctor**
**pumpkin** is slang for a rear-wheel-drive car’s differential.
You can find a \*\*clockspring[/] nestled within an airbag-equipped steering wheel.
Speaking of steering wheels, the turn signals/wipers/windshield washer/brights doohickamus is called a **stalk control**
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### Author:  [@z28in813](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/z28in813)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/28 "2003-04-02T23:22:21Z")
Just tell him your muffler bearing is shot, your low on blinker fluid, and you can not find a 710 cap anywhere. Cross-drilled brake lines are always a good upgrade as well as an exhaust O-pipe. All these can be found at [www.kalecoauto.com](http://www.kalecoauto.com)
That is all.
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### Author:  [@OkieWild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OkieWild)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/29 "2023-08-03T18:47:39Z")
Here’s a good one (zerk) a grease fitting
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### Author:  [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/30 "2023-08-03T19:10:50Z")
A favorite: [**dashpot**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashpot#:~:text=A%20dashpot%2C%20also%20known%20as,the%20motion%20and%20absorbing%20energy): a motion damping device used to do things like preventing the throttle plate from closing too fast.
A [**Watts Link**](https://www.americanmuscle.com/what-is-a-watts-link.html) (more properly, a Watt’s linkage): a linkage of rods that allow a solid axle rear suspension to move up and down while preventing side to side motion,
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### Author:  [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/31 "2023-08-03T21:27:04Z")
Good lord. I didn’t see how decayed this zombie was this morning. So embarrassed.
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### Author:  [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/32 "2023-08-03T21:28:45Z")
> [@Oicu812](#):
>
> \*\*Planetary Gear - \*\*These are the primary gears within an automatic transmission
I was really hoping this was going to be a lot cooler
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/33 "2023-08-03T21:29:53Z")
Opera window?
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### Author:  [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/34 "2023-08-03T21:42:12Z")
Curb feeler.
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### Author:  [@bbcelectric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbcelectric)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/35 "2024-02-21T00:59:30Z")
WOW !
I’m surprised someone didn’t reply. If you still don’t have an answer if you look up a 1975 Lincoln Continental, the opera window is the (oval) window on the side, back of the front door window
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/36 "2024-02-21T02:06:50Z")
That only works with two door sedans, correctamundo? I was wondering where “opera” comes from.
My Dad had a two door something-or-other with opera windows and I kept expecting Rocky Balboa’s boss to get out of the thing. Massive engine compartment.
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### Author:  [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/37 "2024-02-21T02:20:42Z")
Might as well convert this thread into a list of once common car things that you miss, like vent panes, window cranks and doors that use a post to lock like in the movies.
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### Author:  [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/38 "2024-02-21T02:25:03Z")
Where can I get an aftermarket running board installed on my Prius?
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/39 "2024-02-21T04:49:01Z")
I can make you one. Drop on by “.5-Fast Fabrications”. Wide range of designs and materials available.
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### Author:  [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2024, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-weird-or-abscure-car-parts/165628/40 "2024-02-21T05:58:35Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#):
>
> Wide range of designs and materials available.
Pretty sure most of my parts are from your shop.
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