Glossary of Terms
T
Refers to a body design in which the roof possesses two removable panels above the front seats, separated by a fixed section joining it to the balance of the roof.
Taillight --A single light, or group of lights at the rear of a car that show braking and/or signaling functions.
Tappet --(Cam follower, valve lifter) A part of the engine that follows the rotating profile of the camshaft, and thus results in a programmed motion suitable for actuating valves.
Targa-Type Top --A term referring to those types of automotive roofing where the area over the front seats can be removed.
T D C --Stands for “Top dead center.” T D C refers to the position of the crankshaft when the number one piston is at its farthest point from the crankshaft.
The Judge --A version of the GTO that was introduced in ’69 and named after a Sammy Davis Jr. skit on the old TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, where Sammy entered saying, “Here comes da’ Judge. Here comes da’ Judge.” The car was produced from 1969 to 1971.
Thermostat --A device that controls the temperature of the coolant by adjusting the flow of air through an aperture.
Throttle Butterfly --A part of the induction system that varies the area of the induction port in response to driver input. The Throttle Butterly possesses the capability to vary the area of the induction port from parallel (“full throttle”), to almost perpendicular (“closed throttle) to the flow in the in the port.
Throwout Bearing --A bearing when engaged releases the pressure of the pressure plate upon the clutch disk.
Thunderbolt --The term used to denote the 100 specially built ’64 Ford Fairlane 500 two-door sedans. These vehicles were equipped with the 425hp 427ci V-8 and became instantly victorious in the Super Stock drag racing competition.
Tie Rod --A connecting rod of the steering system that is fixed to the suspension spindle.
Timing --The adjustment of the relationship of ignition spark to the crankshaft, or camshaft position.
Timing Belt --A grooved belt used to transfer drive force from the crankshaft to one or more of the camshafts in a synchronous, even manner.
Timing Gear --The engine gear or sprocket that is driven by the crankshaft and attached to the camshaft.
Tire Tread --The portion of the tire surface that contains material providing some form of traction and intended to be in contact with the road.
Toe (-In, -Out) --A reference to the position of the wheels on either axle of a car in relationship to eachother as well as to their fore/aft position.
Tonneau Cover --A form of cover that covers only the passenger portion of a car.
Top (Removeable) --A removable cover for a convertible-type of open car.
Top Loader --A form of four-speed transmission named as such because the transmission’s assembly is put in through the top of the case. Ford introduced the Top Loader form of transmission in 1964.
Torino Talladega --Considered an aerodynamic wonder car, the ’69 Torino fastback had an elongated flush-grilled snout and was Ford’s answer to the challenges of NASCAR. The Torino Talladega was so impressive that it lured Richard Petty away from the Plymouth to campaign it instead in 1969.
Torque Biasing Differential --A limited slip differential.
Torque Converter --A power transmission vehicle which pairs driving/driven shafts with variable speed
reduction and is completely engine-driven. Torsion Bar --A bar or beam that resists twisting along the main axis of the bar by “springing.”
Track --The distance between the center of the rims of two wheels at one end of the car, when the wheels are in the normal, straight-forward position.
Traction Bar --A part that resists torque reaction from the wheel by alternately providing compression or tension. The Traction Bar is linked to an axle housing or hub carrier.
Trailing Arm --A part controlling the wheel and linking the wheel in the fore/aft direction, which is connected at the forward end of one arm to the car structure, and at the rear end of the arm to the wheel carrier.
Transaxle --A part capable of achieving the functions of a transmission and a differential.
Transistor Ignition --A system of ignition with electronic parts.
Transmission (Gearbox) --An assembly of gears with independent housing that allows the driver to manually select the gear and alter the rotational velocity of the wheels.
Transparent --Possessing a see-through quality that makes it suitable for use in the line of sight.
Transverse Engine --An engine placed in a car so that the crankshaft centerline is perpendicular to the normal direction of vehicular motion.
Tri-Power --Relates to cars that were equipped with three two-barrel carburetors on a common manifold.
Trim --Any sort of covering or attachment for a car whose purpose is completely aesthetic.
Trued Tread --Tread of a tire that has been cut to ensure that the surface of the tread is equidistant from the center of the wheel at all times and all angles of rotation.
Trunk area --A compartment in the rearmost region of the body of car generally used for carrying the spare tire and/or luggage.
Tub --The body assembly which forms the structure of a unibody or frameless car.
Tube Frame Car --A car whose frame is constructed from an assembly of tubes, and is intended solely for racing.
Tuftriding --The commercial process of hardening ferrous metal surfaces.
Turbo Boost Control --an adjustment controlling the degree of turbo boost available.
Turbo-Jet --In the era of Chevrolet musclecars, this name was given to the high-performance engines used in the cars. The name was then emblazoned on the air-cleaner covers as well.
Turbocharger --A part, driven by exhaust gases from the engine, that forces a flow of the fuel/air mixture to the engine.
