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Converter Dolly

An axle, frame, drawbar, and fifth-wheel arrangement that converts a semi-trailer into a full trailer.

Converter Pressure

The operating pressure within the torque converter.

Converter-signal Pressure

The pressure that signals the torque-converter, lockup clutch engagement.

Convertible

An automobile having a retractable or removable roof.

Convertible Top

A vinyl or canvas soft-top roof system for two- or four-door vehicles that can be manually or automatically lowered and raised.

Cook

1. To overheat, generally to the point of severe or irreparable damage. 2. To perform well as in "s/he's cookin'."

Cool Pack

A trade name used to describe an early after-market hang-on or under-dash, after-market air-conditioning system.

Coolant

The fluid, consisting of water and antifreeze, that circulates throughout a liquid-cooling system, around hot engine parts, to remove the heat and prevent damage.

Coolant

An antifreeze/antiboil solution that is mixed with water and run through a vehicle's cooling system. It raises the boiling temperature and lowers the freezing temperature of the fluid, so the vehicle can operate properly in virtually any climate. (Vehicles that operate in severely cold conditions often require an engine block heater, as well.) Most coolants also contain chemicals to prevent corrosion, since the fluid runs through a number of metal components.

Coolant Circulation

The movement of liquid throughout the cooling system by water pump action to move heat, generated by engine combustion, to the upper radiator section.

Coolant Fan

An electrically- or mechanically-driven fan to increase air flow across the radiator to facilitate heat removal.

Coolant Jacket

Hollow passages surrounding the cylinders in the block and the combustion chambers in the cylinder head.

Coolant Passages

Coolant passages, called coolant jackets or water jackets, surround each cylinder in the block to provide a means to carry away unwanted engine heat.

Coolant Pump

A term often used for water pump. A centrifugal-type pump used to circulate coolant through the cooling system.

Coolant Reservoir

A tank used for storing excess coolant; connected to the cooling system with a small-diameter overflow hose.

Coolant Temperature Switch

This is an "ON-OFF" switch that switches the cooling fan on and off at a prescribed temperature

Coolant Temperature-override Switch

A temperature-controlled vacuum device that prevents overheating during idle speed, associated with late ignition, by advancing the timing to increase engine-idle speed.

Coolant Thermostat

A unit found in the coolant outlet of the engine to help prevent over-cooling conditions, especially during short trips.

Coolant-fan Relay

A control device that is used to activate the electric-coolant fan at a pre-determined, high-coolant temperature.

Coolant-recovery System

A cooling system having a semi sealed pressure cap, with a radiator-overflow hose leading into a separate plastic reservoir. This saves coolant during hot operation and returns it to the radiator when the system cools.