Engine or Motor?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
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From: iowa
Engine or Motor?
Originally posted by f150-az
I don't know about the technical meanings behind each word, but we race a dirt late model with a 700hp, alluminum block, 15:1 compression, Titanium valves and springs, jeff gordon heads, bowtie intake manifold, and we call it a "motor".
To me, a motor is something with lots of horsepower and has lots of expensive things on it. Of course, that's just me.............
I don't know about the technical meanings behind each word, but we race a dirt late model with a 700hp, alluminum block, 15:1 compression, Titanium valves and springs, jeff gordon heads, bowtie intake manifold, and we call it a "motor".
To me, a motor is something with lots of horsepower and has lots of expensive things on it. Of course, that's just me.............
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL
Engine or Motor?
Oh Oh! Those darned liberals have carried political correctness one step too far. lol.
I did a little checking on the internet and found this
What is a motor ?
A motor is an electrical appliance which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
That pretty well backs up what aegissailor said. I also found out that most all states have a Department of motor vehicles. but I didn't find any that had a Department of engine-driven vehicles. Have we stumbled upon a bureaucratic faux pas? I for one am happy calling it a motor or an engine.
I did a little checking on the internet and found this
What is a motor ?
A motor is an electrical appliance which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
That pretty well backs up what aegissailor said. I also found out that most all states have a Department of motor vehicles. but I didn't find any that had a Department of engine-driven vehicles. Have we stumbled upon a bureaucratic faux pas? I for one am happy calling it a motor or an engine.
Last edited by Bubba Shrimp; Sep 12, 2003 at 08:35 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
Engine or Motor?
I started a thread on this months ago,i think a motor uses some form of energy, like hydraulic power or electric power and converts it into another form of energy,while an engine uses a fuel source and converts it into some sort of energy.But i am guilty of calling engines motors,but never motors engines.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 772
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From: White Sands, NM
Engine or Motor?
I think the 'motor' in the term 'motor vehicles' is another meaning of 'motor' that is mis-used. Perhaps another meaning of 'motor' is movement or motion. As in 'motor reflexes'.
So my theory states that the 'motor' in Ford Motor Company referes to the fact that the company makes things that move, rather than the device that creates the movement (engine).
Did anybody follow this besides me?
So my theory states that the 'motor' in Ford Motor Company referes to the fact that the company makes things that move, rather than the device that creates the movement (engine).
Did anybody follow this besides me?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Engine or Motor?
Both are correct:
mo·tor P Pronunciation Key (mtr)
n.
Something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion.
A device that converts any form of energy into mechanical energy, especially an internal-combustion engine or an arrangement of coils and magnets that converts electric current into mechanical power.
A motor vehicle, especially an automobile: “It was a night of lovers. All along the highway... motors were parked and dim figures were clasped in revery” (Sinclair Lewis).
en·gine P Pronunciation Key (njn)
n.
A machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion.
Such a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.
A mechanical appliance, instrument, or tool: engines of war.
An agent, instrument, or means of accomplishment.
mo·tor P Pronunciation Key (mtr)
n.
Something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion.
A device that converts any form of energy into mechanical energy, especially an internal-combustion engine or an arrangement of coils and magnets that converts electric current into mechanical power.
A motor vehicle, especially an automobile: “It was a night of lovers. All along the highway... motors were parked and dim figures were clasped in revery” (Sinclair Lewis).
en·gine P Pronunciation Key (njn)
n.
A machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion.
Such a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.
A mechanical appliance, instrument, or tool: engines of war.
An agent, instrument, or means of accomplishment.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: White Sands, NM
Engine or Motor?
Somebody should invent a book that lists all the words in the english language, along with a definition of that word formated similar to Ken's post. College students across the country hail it as the greatest thing since Playstation. Oh, wait...
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Engine or Motor?
To add a little to what has already been provided:
Main Entry: 1mo·tor
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from movEre to move
Date: 1586
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.
(That is from Webster's dictionary.)
Who ever heard of "Valvoline engine oil"? It's "motor oil" because it's a motor!
Main Entry: 1mo·tor
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from movEre to move
Date: 1586
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.
(That is from Webster's dictionary.)
Who ever heard of "Valvoline engine oil"? It's "motor oil" because it's a motor!
Last edited by BrianA; Sep 13, 2003 at 12:02 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
Engine or Motor?
is electric, and an engine fuel powered why do we call Detroit "Motor City"? 
I do call truck engines "engines" and electric motors "motors" but have no problem with it the other way round.
I do call truck engines "engines" and electric motors "motors" but have no problem with it the other way round.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Engine or Motor?
Wow, that means I'm not only a Motorist, I've also been an Engineer for 24 years! Time to update my resume.
Now, if a diesel engine turns an electric motor that pulls the train, what does that make the guy that drives it?
Now, if a diesel engine turns an electric motor that pulls the train, what does that make the guy that drives it?