Motor vs. Engine. What do you call it? (Poll)

trs80 · 11-05-2009, 01:45 AM

I would like to know which word you prefer to use when referencing an Automobile Power Train.

An Engine or a Motor?

5-90 · 11-05-2009, 04:05 AM

Engine. It is correctly called either an "Otto-cycle heat engine" (typical engine,) "Diesel-cycle heat engine" (Diesel,) or a "Wankel-cycle rotary heat engine" (Mazda rotary engine.)

bigbadxj · 11-05-2009, 04:09 AM

Engine are in cars motors are in fans and other appliances.

DELCOZRT · 11-05-2009, 05:15 AM

Engine= Internal combustion

Motor= electric

NewXJaddict · 11-05-2009, 05:21 AM

wow that is one awesome animation of the engine.

I don't know why but that simple little animation seems so informative.

gearheadette · 11-05-2009, 08:17 AM

Engine = internal combustion
Motor = electrically powered

prerunner1982 · 11-05-2009, 08:23 AM

I am not going to lie. Though I know the difference I will use the terms interchangeably.

However.... shouldn't a motorcycle be called and enginecycle, but then I suppose that could be confused with referring to the actual cycle of an engine.
How about Motor Trend.... should be called Engine Trend?....
or the Department of Motor Vehicles... Department of Engine Vehicles?..

gearheadette · 11-05-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prerunner1982

However.... shouldn't a motorcycle be called and enginecycle, but then I suppose that could be confused with referring to the actual cycle of an engine.

lol what?

the only main differences is that in a motorcycle engine (all import all Buell a few newer harleys) their engine and transmission share a block, as well as oil, hense the reason why they have a wet clutch and (all motorcycles and motorsports) their Stator (their version of a altinator) is mounted directly on the crankshaft and the magnets are on the flywheel. but it is still the same basics as a car engine

prerunner1982 · 11-05-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearheadette

lol what?

the only main differences is that in a motorcycle engine (all import all Buell a few newer harleys) their engine and transmission share a block, as well as oil, hense the reason why they have a wet clutch and (all motorcycles and motorsports) their Stator (their version of a altinator) is mounted directly on the crankshaft and the magnets are on the flywheel. but it is still the same basics as a car engine

But it is still more engine than motor. So the whole damn industry is still wrong.

gearheadette · 11-05-2009, 08:54 AM

ok, I get what your saying now, lol

BuckB91XJ · 11-05-2009, 09:02 AM

Dude! are you kidding me? You have got to really be bored.

fantic238 · 11-05-2009, 09:07 AM

An engine is a machine that produces mechanical force and motion from another form of energy, in our case it is fuel source but it can also be compressed air and electricity.

A motor is a generic term to identify a propulsive machine, for example the spiral spring in an automatic wristwatch is a motor.

An engine can be a motor but a motor isn't necessarily an engine.

In the case of an internal combustion engine BOTH terms are correct and therefore can be used indifferently.

trs80 · 11-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckB91XJ

Dude! are you kidding me? You have got to really be bored.

Yes. It was 3am and I had nothing better to do.

Thanks everyone. The reason behind the question derives from work. I work in the Insurance total loss industry and deal with High End Autos and Classics's. Everyday I get motor this motor that and it drives me crazy. So thanks again, it was just peace of mind.

ktmracer419 · 11-05-2009, 12:48 PM

whatever floats off the tongue easiest

as long as people know what im talking about, i could care less

Texas Twitch · 11-05-2009, 12:54 PM

i say motor when referring the the block/heads/etc. itself, and engine when referring to the assembly as a whole, i.e. including starter, alternator, water pump, etc.

i probably use the term motor more though.

View Poll Results: Which word to you prefer, Engine vs Motor?
Engine	17	77.27%
Motor	5	22.73%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

11-05-2009, 01:45 AM	#1
trs80 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 784 My Photos 96 Cherokee Year: 96 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: Atuo Transfer Case: 231 Front Axle: D30 Rear Axle: D44 Tires: 31" Lift Specifications: Stock UpCountry w/ BB Misc Accessories: Waiting for winter to end	Motor vs. Engine. What do you call it? (Poll) I would like to know which word you prefer to use when referencing an Automobile Power Train. An Engine or a Motor?

11-05-2009, 04:05 AM	#2
5-90 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 800 My Photos 1988 Cherokee Year: 1988 Model: Cherokee Engine: AMC242 Transmission: AX-15 (External) Transfer Case: NP231 (planning NP242) Front Axle: D30 (planning D44) Rear Axle: D35 (planning D44) Tires: BFG 30's Lift Specifications: None (yet...) Misc Accessories: Asst. electrical mods	Engine. It is correctly called either an "Otto-cycle heat engine" (typical engine,) "Diesel-cycle heat engine" (Diesel,) or a "Wankel-cycle rotary heat engine" (Mazda rotary engine.) __________________ Kelley's Works in Progress - www.kelleyswip.com KWiP Parts Exchange - www.kelleyswip.com/exchange.html "It's in the shop, being readied for the next failure."

11-05-2009, 04:09 AM	#3
bigbadxj CF Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,143 My Photos 1992 Cherokee Year: 1992 Model: Cherokee Engine: 1995 ZJ 4.0 Transmission: 5-speed Transfer Case: NP231 Front Axle: dana 30 Rear Axle: dana 44 Tires: 33"x11.5"-15 Swamper LTB Lift Specifications: 4.5" RC full leafs w/ 1" shackles and spacers Misc Accessories: No cat w/ Flowmaster, Custom Intake	Engine are in cars motors are in fans and other appliances. __________________ "The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done." George Carlin WWW.XJTALK.COM

11-05-2009, 05:15 AM	#4
DELCOZRT Seasoned Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Delaware county PA Posts: 277 My Photos 1998 Cherokee Year: 1998 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0L Transmission: auto	Engine= Internal combustion Motor= electric __________________ ∞ CBW member #8 ∞ Are you prepared for the worst?http://zombiehunters.org/ Keep your laws off my guns!! http://kylomg.com/ The deeper you go in the forest the more things there are to eat your horse.

11-05-2009, 05:21 AM	#5
NewXJaddict The Working Hermit Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NC Posts: 4,152 My Photos 1987 Cherokee Year: 1987 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: The crappy one 10/5 Front Axle: D30 Rear Axle: D35 Lift Specifications: stock	wow that is one awesome animation of the engine. I don't know why but that simple little animation seems so informative. __________________ He who laughs last doesn't get joke. May the Schwartz be with you Foamy Cinemassacre (AVGN) mc chris

11-05-2009, 08:17 AM	#6
gearheadette Future Fabrikator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,662 My Photos 1988 Cherokee Year: 1988 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: 4WD Front Axle: Dana 30 Rear Axle: Dana 35 Tires: 31" Firestone MT's Lift Specifications: 4.5" Rough country Misc Accessories: Flow master muffler w/cat by-pass	Engine = internal combustion Motor = electrically powered __________________ Before: After:

11-05-2009, 08:23 AM	#7
prerunner1982 CF Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 1,525 My Photos 1993 Cherokee Year: 1993 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 ltr Transmission: AX15 Transfer Case: NP231 Front Axle: Dana 30 Rear Axle: Chr 8.25 Tires: 30x9.50x15 At (off brand) Lift Specifications: stock Misc Accessories: N/A at this time.	I am not going to lie. Though I know the difference I will use the terms interchangeably. However.... shouldn't a motorcycle be called and enginecycle, but then I suppose that could be confused with referring to the actual cycle of an engine. How about Motor Trend.... should be called Engine Trend?.... or the Department of Motor Vehicles... Department of Engine Vehicles?.. __________________ Jon AKA "Stew Padidiot" 1993 XJ, 2dr, 4x4. Stock.

11-05-2009, 08:54 AM	#10
gearheadette Future Fabrikator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,662 My Photos 1988 Cherokee Year: 1988 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: 4WD Front Axle: Dana 30 Rear Axle: Dana 35 Tires: 31" Firestone MT's Lift Specifications: 4.5" Rough country Misc Accessories: Flow master muffler w/cat by-pass	ok, I get what your saying now, lol __________________ Before: After:

11-05-2009, 09:02 AM	#11
BuckB91XJ ::CF Moderator:: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oak Harbor, WA. Posts: 3,869 My Photos 1991 Cherokee Year: 1991 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 liter H.O. I-6, HB Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator Transmission: AW-4 Auto Tranny HB 1st gear lock Transfer Case: NP 231 Front Axle: Dana 30 4.56 gears, Aussie Locker, HB Cable Axle Lock, Rusty's SB Quick Discos, HB beefed Tie Rod Rear Axle: Dana 44 4.56 gears, Aussie Locker Tires: 33x12.50x15 Maxxis Big Horns Lift Specifications: 4.5" Rusty's Kit, 1.5" Daystar Spacer/Shackle Rough Country X-Flex Upper and Lower Control Arms Misc Accessories: ORF Bumper, XRC8000 winch, JCR Rock Sliders, Rear tire carrier and skid plates from doner XJ	Dude! are you kidding me? You have got to really be bored. __________________ Brian Buchanan - US Navy CPO 91 XJ 87 XJ 06 KJ

11-05-2009, 09:07 AM	#12
fantic238 CF provocator Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3,356 My Photos 1988 limited Cherokee Year: 1988 limited Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 litre Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: np242 Front Axle: dana30 high pinion Rear Axle: dana35 non c-clip limited slip diff Tires: 31x10.50 yokohama super digger Lift Specifications: 3.5 in rough country Misc Accessories: audi A6 electric fans, gibson 3in stainless steel exhaust, tank & tc skid plate, light bar, propane	An engine is a machine that produces mechanical force and motion from another form of energy, in our case it is fuel source but it can also be compressed air and electricity. A motor is a generic term to identify a propulsive machine, for example the spiral spring in an automatic wristwatch is a motor. An engine can be a motor but a motor isn't necessarily an engine. In the case of an internal combustion engine BOTH terms are correct and therefore can be used indifferently. __________________ Memento audere semper "god said rock and then came ledZeppelin" For CAD geeks here: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/how...-bumper-27077/

11-05-2009, 12:48 PM	#14
ktmracer419 ::CF Moderator:: Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,980 My Photos	whatever floats off the tongue easiest as long as people know what im talking about, i could care less __________________ www.SISoffroad.com

11-05-2009, 12:54 PM	#15
Texas Twitch Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 43 My Photos 1991 Cherokee Year: 1991 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: NP242 Front Axle: Dana 30 Tires: Lemans A/T	i say motor when referring the the block/heads/etc. itself, and engine when referring to the assembly as a whole, i.e. including starter, alternator, water pump, etc. i probably use the term motor more though.

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