Engine/Motor
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
Good question. I've heard of vehicles as having a motor or an engine, but I've never heard of an electric engine. 'Engine' seems to be reserved for fuel burning power plants, motor seems to be both. My dictionary says an engine converts heat energy into motion; a motor is basically the same. I'm sure there is a technical difference; I'll just wait til someone here comes up with it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
My guess would also be that an engine is either internal combustion or steam due to a controlled expansion of gases -explosion-, and motor is well, not. So I guess a diesel train locomotive has both; an internal combustion diesel engine to power the generator that powers the batteries that power the electric motors. Good question, oldmaninva.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Ford Motor Company.
I'm pretty sure the "Motor" part of the name refers to the internal combustion "engine" that is such a major part of the product that Ford has always been known for. So I don't think a distinction between the two labels holds up very well, at least not in the land of Big Blue....
I'm pretty sure the "Motor" part of the name refers to the internal combustion "engine" that is such a major part of the product that Ford has always been known for. So I don't think a distinction between the two labels holds up very well, at least not in the land of Big Blue....
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Hey, check this site on animated engines.
Found it awhile ago. It's kinda cool.
Especially the Gnome Engine, where the
crankshaft is fixed to the plane and the
pistons and cylinder rotate around the
crank. Just the opposite of our standard
engines. Go figure.
www.keveney.com/Engines.html
Found it awhile ago. It's kinda cool.
Especially the Gnome Engine, where the
crankshaft is fixed to the plane and the
pistons and cylinder rotate around the
crank. Just the opposite of our standard
engines. Go figure.
www.keveney.com/Engines.html
Last edited by sierraben; Feb 4, 2005 at 07:40 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: NW Illinois
Here is an abreviated definition of each:
An engine is a machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion. An engine is a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.
A motor is something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion. It's 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.
Now I'm confusing myself.......
An engine is a machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion. An engine is a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.
A motor is something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion. It's 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.
Now I'm confusing myself.......
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Emlenton, PA
O.K., here we go: Mr.Webster: motor (n), A moving power; force or agency that sets machinery in motion; a motor car-(a) adjective- imparting motion
Engine-(n);Any instrument in some degree complicated, a machine to drive machinery, to propel vessels, railway trains etc,
I would say you have an engine under your hood, or maybe a motor!!
Engine-(n);Any instrument in some degree complicated, a machine to drive machinery, to propel vessels, railway trains etc,
I would say you have an engine under your hood, or maybe a motor!!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
This is one of my favourite topics so let me add these threads from 2003.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=151671
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=119879
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=151671
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=119879
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Interesting, I always call it an engine, and anything else like electric is considered a motor. I usually only call it an engine if it is powered by some sort of fuel
BTW sierraben, that's a pretty cool site, I'll have to remember that one, got some good illustrations on it.
BTW sierraben, that's a pretty cool site, I'll have to remember that one, got some good illustrations on it.