[60sstuff]

We are talking automobiles here.

I’m just curious.

Why do the vast majority of people describing their car use the word “drivetrain”.
What about the engine?

The term “Powertrain” includes everything (engine/motor, transmission, driveline and rear axle.

Wouldn’t this ^^^^^ be the correct terminology when describing a classic car.

Opinions.

Chris.

[242177P]

People say "blew the motor" all the time. It's minor, but it's an engine. But even though it
kinda bugs me, it just isn't enough to stop me from doing the same. I expect most people
know what a powertrain is, but probably don't give it a second thought??

[Sirrotica]

Drivetrain is every thing from the engine flywheel rearward in a longitudinal chassis. Powertrain is everything from the fan blade rearward in a longitudinal chassis. The terminology for each includes different components.

Really, it's splitting hairs.

FWIW, engine, and motor are two different things, but I fully understand when someone says they "blew their motor".

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Drivetrain is every thing from the engine flywheel rearward in a longitudinal chassis. Powertrain is everything from the fan blade rearward in a longitudinal chassis. The terminology for each includes different components.

Really, it's splitting hairs.

FWIW, engine, and motor are two different things, but I fully understand when someone says they "blew their motor".

As a long-term auto tech like Brad here, I agree.

[misterp266]

My favorite is VIN number. What does the N stand for again? hmmmm......

[nashcar]

Originally Posted by misterp266

My favorite is VIN number. What does the N stand for again? hmmmm......

Number number.

[alsalp]

For the record, Cadillac converters are THE best you can get

[brad900]

Originally Posted by misterp266

My favorite is VIN number. What does the N stand for again? hmmmm......

When ever somebody ask for my VIN number I say 17, they always look confused

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by misterp266

My favorite is VIN number. What does the N stand for again? hmmmm......

I do that all the time. I know it makes no sense, but still.

Same with CAC card.

Same with ATM machine.

lol

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Same with CAC card.

To be fair, those things are really unfortunately named to begin with. It would be really awkward for the guards at the gate to ask to see my CAC without adding "card" behind it.

[Region Warrior]

Originally Posted by misterp266

My favorite is VIN number. What does the N stand for again? hmmmm......

Work in a new car dealer parts dept., and need vin 70% of the time.
I ask; what's your vi number? Customs respond "what's that?"

[66sprint6]

Uh-oh, here we go again. I bet they would understand if someone had said "serial number".

[mback12000]

Measure the heigTH of the El-duh-brock manifold.

The list goes on.

[72projectbird]

I've gotten to the point where I just don't care anymore. People use different words to describe the same thing. Sometimes it's a regional thing, sometimes it's just a simple mistake, and other times plain stupidity.

As long as I can understand what's trying to be explained, I'm good. Powertrain/drivetrain, engine/motor, its whatever.

[Keith Seymore]

Do you say "prop shaft"? Because technically it is a propeller shaft (not a drive shaft).

Front of dash?

Rear gear differential carrier?

Spiral bevel hypoid gearset?

In for a penny, in for a pound...

K

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I've gotten to the point where I just don't care anymore. People use different words to describe the same thing. Sometimes it's a regional thing, sometimes it's just a simple mistake, and other times plain stupidity.

As long as I can understand what's trying to be explained, I'm good. Powertrain/drivetrain, engine/motor, its whatever.

EXACTLY! just the fact the people even want to talk about or have an interest is good enough for me

[JimFB400HO]

I had a teacher in the 1960s that didn't like having an internal combustion engine called a motor. He would say a motor is device that converts electrical energy into mechanical. To this day I use his definitions.

[carbking]

Anyone ride a Harley enginecycle?

Does your carburetor, carburater, carburetter, etc. have a power valve or economizer valve?

I'm with 72bird; if I can understand the question, an incorrect word usage doesn't bother me.

What does bother me (and emails to this effect to our shop are cheerfully ignored ) is the ridiculous lazy abbreviations with no caps (or all caps) and no punctuation common with some of the folks that grew up with cell phones.

The letter "u" is not a substitute (at least to me) for the word "you". Not going to attempt to decipher what is worse (to me) than Kanji.

ハーレーエンジンサイクルに乗る人はいますか？

キャブレター、キャブレター、キャブレターなどにパワーバルブやエコノマイザーバルブはありま すか？

私は72birdです。 質問が理解できれば、単語の使い方が間違っていても問題ありません。

私を悩ませているのは（そして、この効果についての電子メールは陽気に無視されています）は、携帯電話で育 った一部の人に共通する、大文字（またはすべて大文字）や句読点のない、とんでもない怠惰な省 略形です。

「u」という文字は（少なくとも私にとって）「あなた」という言葉の代わりにはなりません。 漢字よりも（私にとって）悪いことを解読しようとはしません。

ジョン。

Jon.

[66sprint6]

Two songs...

"Get your engine runnin', head out on the highway"

or

" She was a fast machine, she kept her engine clean, "

Doesn't quite work, does it? The word motor (for the engine) is a colloquialism of North America and our dialect is the most influential in the English speaking world.

[JimFB400HO]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

"Get your engine runnin', head out on the highway"

Love that song even if they do say motor. Can't say I use some words in "The Pusher" either.

I agree on motor as a common colloquialism as you mention. I just always hear that teacher decades ago in the back of my head saying "engine".

"Yeah, my fuel-injected Stingray and a four-thirteen
Were revvin' up our engines and it sounds real mean"