45 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

Ok,  In reading through so many wonderful restoration projects, I find that I get bogged down with terminology.  Can I ask for a little help with the following?

 

- When referencing how to level something, I've seen the words "spirit Level'.  I did look up a Stabila level, but I'm confused by the word "spirit".  What does this mean?

 

- When referencing different areas of the mini. I've seen OS and NS.  Could this mean 'Opposite Side' and 'Near Side'?

 

- Are 'Mole' grips the same as Vise grips?

 

- When you "flatten' a panel after priming, does that mean you sand it down/smooth?

 

Oh.. there are others too, but I'm drawing a blank..  

 

I love the language, I simply wish to keep up and understand.  I have to admit, most British words make perfect sense to me once I now the reference.

 

Many thanks.... 

[stevearch0]

not sure where the "spirit" bit comes from, but your right when you compare to the stabila level.

 

OS means off side, in uk, drivers side, and NS means nearside, nearest curbside

 

again, your bang on with mole grips, they are vice grips.

 

flatting out a panel is also as you say, smoothing the paint, ready for another coat.

 

so in short, you could be  english!!!

[RossKnight]

Spirit level I believe is because the liquid that the bubbles resides in is usually alcohol, or 'spirits', but I usually just call them levels anyway..

O/s is off side and n/s is near side. On our rhd cars we sit on the offside.

Yep, just locking pliers.

Flatting back is just sanding back. So flatting between paint coats would involve sanding smooth before the next coat of paint.




Any more of our strange words we seem to make up, feel free to ask haha.

[RossKnight]

Oh it appears I got beaten to it anyway! Took me a while posting on my tablet...

At least we agreed!

[stevearch0]

im not the only fool up at this hour then!!

[timmy850]

Here is a good list:

 

http://www.team.net/sol/solterms.html

[Mini Waco]

Thanks everyone!!   @Timmy850, a wonderful list that will come in use, much appreciated.

[evansisgreat]

I guess it's easier for us, with the number of American cars shows available to us picking up the translations is fairly easy. Some of the terms on that translator are quite funny.

[nicklouse]

 On our rhd cars we sit on the offside.

 

so do i in my LHD car.

 

[ibrooks]

Near side and off side originally referred to the road rather than the car and are referenced from the kerb. If you are driving a LHD car in the UK then the drivers seat is on the near-side but if you were driving it in America (or on the continent or anywhere else that they drive on the wrong side of the road) then the drivers seat is on the off-side. Obviously that means the opposite applies to a car with the steering wheel on the correct side in "furrin parts" the drivers seat will probably be on the near side.

 

Apart from Japan - we managed to instill some common sense in them (and there are one or two others).

[Mini Waco]

Makes sense...   thanks all..  Now just to figure out the exact location of body parts like scuttle, fitich (?), butiman (?)....  I need a diagram that points.  I think the scuttle is just behind the bonnet and in front of the dash...

[joakwin]

The scuttle panel is like the cowling area, or wiper panel

The flitch panel is about half of the inner wing or inner fender well
Sills are rocker panel
Boot is trunk
Bonnet is hood

[Ben_O]

British term                American term
-----------------           -------------
accumulator                 battery

 

Looking at that translation list i find this weird, I have never heard anyone, British or otherwise call a battery an accumulator?

 

As has been said, fire away with any more words and we can let you know.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[evansisgreat]

Bitumen was used on the interior floor and rear seat pan for sound insulation. It's heavy brittle and black, although it's applied before final paint so it'll be body colour on top.
Most people remove it as it's very heavy and not as efficient as modern sound proofing. It's also usually mixed in with rust too.

[nicklouse]

British term                American term
-----------------           -------------
accumulator                 battery

 

Looking at that translation list i find this weird, I have never heard anyone, British or otherwise call a battery an accumulator?

 

As has been said, fire away with any more words and we can let you know.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

more of an European mainland term.