VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions motor vs engine

what term do you use to describe that hunk of cast iron in your Chevy?

in the 31 parts book Chevrolet calls it a motor but in my 53 issue it's an engine.

In the modern world its an (internal combustion) engine under the hood and the heater fan is run by a (eletric) motor.
The engine was commonly refered to has a motor years ago....Thats where motorist and motor cycle came from I would guess. :confused:
Now I guess we are enginests....or engineers

I have been told that motors are only electric but I think (IMHO) both terms are too much in common use to get picky, motor oil, motor mounts, etc, etc....

Main Entry: 1mo·tor
Function: noun
Pronunciation: 'mO-t&r
Etymology: Latin, from movere to move
1 : one that imparts motion ; specifically : PRIME MOVER
2 : any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as a : a small compact engine b : INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE ; especially : a gasoline engine c : a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy
3 : MOTOR VEHICLE ; especially : AUTOMOBILE
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Websters defines an engine to be a type of motor.
I've heard of "gear head", "motor head" but never "engine head". I recieved an online survey today with questions about the MOTOR oil I use.

I am just curious to how the members refer to their motor/engine. Does it have to do more with geographical location?

I think both are correct depending on your own preference, (Piston wrist pin / gudgeon pin) and (king pin / steer axis pin) are more examples of the same terminology question.
Tony

I agree with Chevgene.

Engine (internal combustion) under the hood and a motor was always electric.

But we all hear it both ways......and good arguements for either way regardless of what the dictionaries say.

As Louis C. says, the common usage of the two terms really makes them interchangeable in today's world.

So ...........let's sit on the fence and accept either one......

tonyw,

I'd like to see more Australian names for automotive parts. Give us some more examples.

Dennis

Well, my motorcar is moved by an engine.....

When the motorists I know go motoring, they aways use an engine.

Now on the other hand - those few who have electric cars, obviously need to be electrical engineers!

if you all want a really godd reason to call the piece of hardware under your hoods engines, just consider what the Porsche guys call theirs--motors. internal combustion engines and electric drill motors get my vote. mikie

Guru, I like your oxymoron..

Cute, real cute...lol

guess I should have paid attention in my automotive classes as I know this was one of the subjects discussed-I believe that an engine creates power while a motor is a device that uses power-what we call "them" is sometimes determined by how well they are running-or not running-

I suppose Mopar could change their name to Enpar and we could start to call Detroit The Engine City

Gary

The Jan 1929 Service News uses MOTOR.

The Jan 1930 Service News uses ENGINE.

Germany has an Autobahn

UK has Motorways.

F0rd sells Motorcarft parts.

I pour motor oil into my engine.....now I am really confused.

My wiper has a vacuum motor on my older cars and an eletric motor on the newer ones.

My eletric starter motor turns over my gasoline engine.

And, don't forget....."Happy Motoring!"

"Happy Engining" would sound stupid!

And General Motors should change its name to General Engines

Here in the UK a car can be a motor, slang I know, but in common use.
I.E.
"Hey John got a new motor?"
"That's a nice motor!"

Car parts suppliers are known as "Motor Factors"
Used car dealers are "Motor dealers" & are in the "Motor trade"
When was the first electric motor? Was it after the first cars? Did we have "Motorists" first?
If we use "Internal combustion" for an engine then surely an electric motor should be an "Magnetic Polarity Field Motor"?
In general here it's an I/C engine & an electric motor. BUT..?????????

Dads 31
As a general rule we use either American or English parts terminology. There are a few exceptions though.
Tony

"We really need to get a life--I think I`ll go out start up that thing under the hood of my 31 and go engining down the road.

Dat Watter was 'a flowin' all under my hood and I knew it wuz 'adoin' my MOTOR Good.

Chuck Berry said it and I do like Chuck Berry!

Oh! Mableene!!, why do you do me the way that you do?...Oh Mableene, why can't you be true?

P.S. Hoppy, old Chief Sitting Bill headed out from Kerrville this morning headed to Houston.

We missed You!

British car enthusiasts generally call the power plant under the bonnet a lump.

Yes & No George33Eagle, slang in some areas but only in these contexes:-

"What lump have you got in it?"
"Open the bonnet (Hood) let's have a look at the lump !"
"That's some lump you got there!"

I can now see this thread going way of course!!

I have seen a lot of "anchors" aka engines / motors that arent working properly.
Tony

I vote for gasoline ENGINE, and electric MOTOR. Just don't get me started on the difference between cement and concrete.
Oh no, I guess the magazime will have to be renamed ENGINE TREND!

Coach

Hey Dads 31, you forgot Jar Head

Well here is the straight skinny:

In the Chevrolet Master Parts and Accessories Catalog (1929 - 1954) Every listing starting with ENGINE refers to the internal combustion power plant and its parts.

All the listings for MOTOR refer to electric motors and their parts, heater, starting, top raising, etc., etc.

By the way the block is referred to as a block, cylinder. The head is a Head, cylinder... No blockhead, no Jarhead, no motorhead, no gearhead!

I have heard other marque owners like those that use flatheads, L heads referred to as "Compression head" since that is the only function of a non-valve in head, head....