spark lever
Definition
- Noun:
- A mechanical control for ignition timing: A "spark lever" is a hand-operated lever, historically located on the steering column of early automobiles, used to manually advance or retard the timing of the engine's spark ignition.
Usage
- The "spark lever" is a historical automotive component. It is used when discussing the operation, mechanics, or restoration of vintage and antique vehicles.
- It functions as a direct object (e.g., "adjust the spark lever") or the subject of a sentence (e.g., "The spark lever was stiff.").
Examples
- Noun:
- To start the Model T, you must first set the spark lever correctly.
- The driver reached for the spark lever to adjust the timing before climbing the hill.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Technical Context: The term is primarily used in historical, technical, or restoration contexts related to early 20th-century automobiles.
- Understanding the function of the spark lever is essential for operating a vintage car.
Variants and Related Words
- Advance lever: A synonymous term sometimes used.
- Ignition timing lever: A descriptive phrase for the same component.
- Throttle lever: A different but often adjacent control on the steering column of early cars, used to regulate engine speed.
Synonyms
- Advance lever
- Timing lever
Related Phrases
- To adjust the spark: A phrase describing the action performed using the spark lever.
- He needed to adjust the spark for better performance.
Noun
-
(on early automobiles) a lever mounted on the steering column and used to adjust the timing of the ignition
