Glossary of Terms
O
An elastomer or metal seal or gasket in the shape of a torus with a circular cross section.
O E M --Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Offset Key --A metal drive key with the radial ends offset to allow adjustment of the phase relationship of the driving and driven parts. The Offset Key is used to couple a shaft and pulley, wheel, or sprocket.
OHC (Overhead Cam) --A type of reciprocating engine with the camshaft(s) located in the cylinder head(s), and acting on the valves directly or through a linkage.
OHV (Overhead Valve) --A type of reciprocating engine with the camshaft(s) located in the engine block, and acting on the valves through the use of some sort of linkage, which generally includes pushrods and rocker arms.
Oil Filter --An engine accessory that catches all or a portion of the lubricant from an oil pump and removes or filters out the solid particles.
Oil Galley --The passage within the engine which channels lubricant to various internal destination points for their distribution.
Oil Line --An external hose or pipe that transfers lubricating oil from one component to another.
Oil Pan --An oil sump that has been fixed to the bottom of an engine and responsibly for catching oil.
Oil Passage --A duct within an engine component responsible for channeling lubricating oil.
Oil Pump --A mechanically-driven pump that draws lubricant from a reservoir and deposits it to the lubrication system in a balanced, pressurized manner.
Oil Strainer --A screen that surrounds the oil pickup in an engine and prevents solid particles from entering the pump.
Oil Sump --The container that collects oil and stores oil so that the pump may draw from it.
Overhang --A measurement of the distance that the bodywork extends away from the wheels at a particular end of the car.
