- F -
Flatty
A Ford flathead V-8. Also known as a flat motor.
Flatty
Slang for a flathead Ford engine. Also slang for flat-fender Jeep, a term for the early military models and CJs.
FLC
Fluid lockup converter.
Fleet Service
Service given to a fleet of vehicles owned by a particular company.
Flex Drive Plate
A disc-shaped, slightly flexible, steel part transferring power from the crankshaft to the torque converter.
Flex Fuel
A term pertaining to vehicles flexible in fuel requirements, ie. Natural Gas.
Flex Joint
A flexible connection such as between the steering column and steering gear.
Flexible Flyer
A dragster chassis with a light, flexible structure.
Flexible Hose
A fluid or vapor hose having the ability to be routed around various components without creating a restriction or blockage.
Flexible Radiator Hose
A large-diameter universal hose connecting the radiator to the engine cooling system.
Flexplate
A lightweight flywheel with a starter ring gear around its outside diameter, used on engines equipped with an automatic transmission; also serves as the attachment point for the torque converter.
Flip
To overturn a vehicle.
Flip Kit
One of the products used to substantially lower the back end of a vehicle. A flip kit moves the vehicles axle housing from its normal position below the leaf springs to a new location above them. Because this will seriously reduce suspension travel, the frame usually is notched to provide additional clearance, and a C-notch kit is installed.
Flip Top
A convertible with a retractable hardtop.
Flipper Window
See pop-out window.
Float
1. Part that floats in the fuel bowl to assist in controlling the gasoline level in the carburetor by operating a float-needle valve. 2. A cruising drive mode in which the throttle setting matches engine speed to road speed, neither accelerating nor decelerating.
Float
A carburetor component that regulates the amount of fuel entering the carburetor.
Float Bowl
1. A section of the carburetor main body that acts as a fuel reservoir. 2. The reservoir from which fuel is metered into the passing air.
Float Chamber
The fuel reservoir at the bottom of a carburetor.
Float Circuit
A circuit that maintains the correct fuel level in the carburetor float bowl.