Glossary of Terms
F
GM’s designation for the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. These cars in specific were closely related to the X-Body (Chevrolet Nova and Pontiac Ventura) compacts during the first two generations.
Fairing --A form of covering that diverts airflow in a certain region of a car, to reduce air drag.
Fairlane GT/GTA --Considered the car that set the standard for Ford intermediate-sized cars in ’66 and ‘67, the Fairlane GT had 390ci V-8 power, and a few even had 427s. The only real difference between the GT and the GTA was that the GTA had an automatic transmission.
Fan --A device that utilizes rotating blades to create a cooling flow of air to a heat exchanger.
Fan Belt --A device that usually found in the form of a flexible drive belt, and is used to power a water radiator cooling fan, while, often simultaneously, providing power to one or more other rotating attachments on the engine.
Fender --The body panel that protects the road wheel assemblage.
Fender Flare --A part that can be used as an attachment to a fender with the purpose of extending the existing fender outward so that it may more completely cover the tire.
Fender Skirt --A fender extension with the purpose of smoothing the air flow surrounding the wheel region of the car by partially closing the wheel opening.
Filler Cap --A removable device that prevents fuel leakage from the filler neck/hose when the car is in use, but may also be removed during refueling.
Filler Neck/Hose --A device that attaches to a fuel cell/tank through which fuel may be supplied to the car from some outside source.
Final Drive Ratio --In a final drive or differential, Final Drive Ratio refers to the ratio of input to output shaft motions.
Fire Extinguisher --An on-board device containing fire extinguishing substances that provides the driver of the vehicle the means to control and extinguish small fires.
Fire System --An on-board fire extinguishing system that is activated in the event of a fire. Upon activation the Fire System extinguishes or retards the fire before the car or driver is injured.
Firewall --A metal panel that stands vertically (plus or minus ten degrees) and separates the driver/passenger compartment from the engine compartment, thus protecting the vehicle’s passengers from flame and debris. While no intakes are allowed in the Firewall, metal ducts that begin and end outside the driver/passenger compartment may penetrate the Firewall.
Firing Order --In a reciprocating engine, Firing Order refers to the order in which the cylinders produce power.
Flat Bottom --A race car construction where the car possesses a flat underside with no “ground effects” shaping or ducting.
Flex Joint --A coupling satisfying the function of universal joint while employing flexible materials to help it achieve changes in the drive axis.
Float --A carburetor component utilizing an associated valve to control the fuel level in the reservoir that supplies the carburetor jet(s).
Float Chamber --The carburetor reservoir containing the fuel to supply the jets.
Float Valve --A shut off valve that can be activated by the carburetor float, thus making sure the fuel in the float chamber does not exceed the appropriate amount.
Floor Pan --The section(s) of a car that serve as a supporting platform for the seats and a barrier separating the interior compartment from the underside of the vehicle.
Flywheel --A part that attaches to the engine and functions in three ways: (1) to provide an appropriate gear for starter engagement, (2) to provide friction to a drive surface as well as attachment points for a clutch pressure plate, and (3) to make sure power flows smoothly.
Frame --The structure containing all running gear and providing support for the body of a car in its most minimal configuration. Not present on “frameless” or “unibody” cars.
Fuel --The chemical mixture that is combined with air and burned in an engine to produce power.
Fuel Cell --A container that is crash-resistant and holds an on-board supply of fuel for the car.
Fuel Distribution Unit --A component of the fuel injection induction system that distributes fuel to the injection nozzles.
Fuel Injection --The system of providing fuel via pressurized nozzles to the engine.
Fuel Line --A hose or tube that transports fuel from one point to another.
Fuel Metering Unit --An externally-controlled part of the fuel injection system that determines the amount of fuel supplied to the engine.
Fuel Pickup --A fuel tank or fuel cell attachment that serves as the attachment point for the supply line(s) leading to the fuel pump(s).
Fuel Pump --A pump that can be either mechanical or electromechanical, and initiates the transport of fuel from the fuel cell or tank to the induction system.
Fuel Tank --A conventional OEM container for the on-board fuel supply that is not of the safety fuel cell type.
Fuelie --A shorthand term for any car capable of fuel injection during the muscle car era. This term was applied to very few cars at the time, encompassing only the Corvette and a few of the rare ’57 Chevy passenger cars.
