Cylinder Heads for Sale Looking for used or re-manufactured cylinder heads for sale? Check our extensive inventory of parts by searching for your part above. What Are Cylinder Heads Cylinder heads are a fundamental automotive engine component, and are responsible for proper engine performance. They are a large, metal cast components that sit directly over the block, serving as a compression seal for the cylinders. They are typically made of cast iron or aluminum, and are precisely machined within exact tolerances. Inline engines have one long head with anywhere from four up to twelve cylinders, while V-6, V-8 and larger engines have two heads that split the total number of cylinders between them. They house the compression chambers, intake and exhaust ports and valve seats. They have interior water channels that connect with the water ports in the block so that antifreeze can pass through both for the purpose of keeping the engine at a specified operating temperature. The head holds various valve train components, typically consisting of rocker arm shafts, intake and exhaust valve seats, tappets, springs, keepers and valves. Some heads contain the camshaft which is responsible for opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves during a regular 4-cycle stroke period. More Information The cylinder head is subjected to the highest temperatures in the entire engine. This is a result of the explosion or power cycle within the cylinder. The most harm to cylinder heads comes in the form of excessive heat which allows sever expansion, flex and even cracking of the cast material. Head gaskets are metal or carbon composite gaskets that keep a seal between the cylinder head and the block—they can blow out or deteriorate, leaking exhaust gases, oil […]