Engines 101
Internal Engine Parts
External Engine Parts
The Cylinder Block
Small Parts
100

This device contains the fuel to be burned in the engine.

Fuel Tank
100

This cylindrical part is connected to the crankshaft by the connecting rod.

What is the piston?

100

This part prevents debris from entering the flywheel areas.

    What is the flywheel cover?

100

This is the largest part of an engine, where the cylinders are placed.

What is the cylinder block?

100

These springs close a valve after it has opened.

What are valve springs?

200

This part filters the air that is mixed with fuel in the engine.

What is the air cleaner assembly

200

This rod connects the piston to the crankshaft.

What is the connecting rod?

200

This part holds the flywheel in place.

What is the flywheel key?

200

This is a round hole bored to receive the piston, sometimes called the barrel or bore.

What is the cylinder?

200

This metal rod transfers motion from the camshaft to the valve to open and close it at the right time.

What is a push rod?

300

This device automatically mixes fuel with air in the proper proportion to produce a combustible gas.

What is the carburetor

300

These fit into grooves on the piston and create a seal that prevents fluid or gas from passing the piston.

What are piston rings?

300

This heavy wheel maintains the speed of the engine while it is running.

    What is the flywheel?

300

These displace air over the engine to prevent it from overheating.

What are cooling fins?

300

These parts transmit camshaft movement toward the intake and exhaust valves.

What are rocker arms?

400

This device is inserted into the combustion chamber and contains an insulated control electrode for conducting current.

What is the sparkplug?

400

This shaft contains lobes or arms that rotate to raise and lower the valves.

What is the camshaft?

400

This part prevents oil loss from the cylinder heads and prevents debris from being deposited within.

What is the valve cover?

400

This detachable portion is fastened to the cylinder block and contains all or part of the combustion chamber.

What is the cylinder head?

400

These valve lifters sit on the camshaft and transfer cam-lobe motion through the push rods and rocker arms.

What are tappets?

500

This part consists of coils of wire around an iron core and induces an electric current when rotated in a magnetic field.

What is the armature magneto?

500

This main engine shaft works with the connecting rod to change the piston's reciprocating motion into rotary motion.

What is the crankshaft?

500

This baffled chamber subdues engine noise and creates some back pressure.

What is the muffler?

500

 This is the housing where the crankshaft and many other engine parts operate.

What is the crankcase?

500

This part synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft.

What is the timing gear?