The cylinder head is a component that seals the combustion chamber and ensures precise interaction between valves, camshafts, injectors, and the cooling system. As the link between the cylinder block and the valve system, it plays a decisive role in engine performance, fuel consumption, and emission control. Whether for passenger cars, trucks, or industrial engines, choosing a high-quality cylinder head is crucial to preventing problems and ensuring long-term service life.

This article provides an overview of the different types of cylinder heads, offers step-by-step installation instructions, and discusses common cylinder head defects. With brands such as AMC, Kolbenschmidt, AFR, BF Original and Wilmink Engine Parts Private Label we offer solutions for a wide range of applications.

What is a cylinder head?

A cylinder head is essentially a housing with integrated intake and exhaust ports with the corresponding valves and related components. The combustion chamber, part of the cylinder head, is sealed to the cylinder block with a cylinder head gasket.
Manufacturers such as AMC produce cylinder heads for both OE and the aftermarket using advanced materials and strict quality controls.

Types of cylinder heads

Material

Aluminum cylinder heads

Aluminum cylinder heads, developed by brands such as AMC, offer superior heat dissipation and lower engine weight. This choice of material ensures efficient engine cooling, making them ideal for today's engines, which often operate at high operating temperatures.

Cast iron cylinder heads

Where maximum strength is required, cast iron cylinder heads remain the trusted choice. Nowadays, these heads are mainly used in diesel engines. AMC's cast iron heads are thermally and mechanically highly resilient. This ensures a long service life and reliability. Their robustness also makes them indispensable in heavy-duty applications, such as industry and transport.

Applications

Cylinder heads for performance

For racing engines and high-performance tuning, AMC and AFR supply cylinder heads that are optimized for this application. These types of heads use a process known as ‘porting’. This involves making the intake and exhaust channels as smooth as possible to ensure that the combustion gases encounter as little resistance as possible. It is a labor-intensive process, but one that increases the power output of the engine. As a result, AFR heads are widely used in motorsports.

Cylinder heads for heavy duty and industry

For industrial engines and commercial vehicles, BF Original and AMC supply cylinder heads designed for heavy-duty continuous use and reliability. Wilmink supplies many of these heads as complete cylinder head assemblies with pre-installed valves and springs. This ensures time-saving installation and reduces the risk of assembly errors.

Installing a cylinder head: step-by-step guide

Installing a cylinder head requires precision and compliance with the torque specifications. The following procedure is recommended:

1. Preparation – Thoroughly clean the engine block and the surfaces of the cylinder head. Remove gasket residue with a plastic scraper. Check that everything is flat and test the cylinder head for internal leaks by pressurizing it.
   
2. Inspect the gasket and bolts – Always use a new head gasket of the correct thickness and material, and always replace used cylinder head bolts with new OE-quality ones.
   
3. Positioning – Carefully place the head on the spring pins in the block and ensure a correct seal with the surface. Do not use liquid gasket on the cylinder head gasket!
   
4. Tightening sequence – Follow the tightening sequence and apply the manufacturer's specified tightening torques precisely.
   
5. Reassembly – Install the camshafts, valve train, hoses, and wiring. Fill all fluids and check for leaks.
   
6. Final checks – Start the engine and check that the cooling and lubrication systems are working correctly.
   
7. Check again after warming up – When using rigid bolts, these must be retightened after warming up in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
   

Our brands provide detailed instructions and tightening torques for each product to ensure professional installation of the cylinder head.

Cylinder Head Defects: Causes and Solutions

Deformation and cracks

Deformations or cracks in the cylinder head can be caused by engine overheating and lead to compression loss, leaks, and poor engine performance. Preventive measures include maintaining the cooling system and using OE-quality cylinder heads.

Oil and coolant leaks

Leaks can occur due to defective head gaskets or incorrect installation of the cylinder head. To prevent cross-contamination between engine oil and coolant, always ensure accurate installation and periodic inspections of the fluids.

Damage to valve seats

Poor combustion or inferior parts can lead to damaged valve seats. Especially in LPG engines, poor adjustment can lead to a mixture that is too lean, which is harmful to the valve seats and valves due to excessive thermal stress. We offer suitable (powder metal) valve seats with high wear resistance, which extends the service life of the cylinder head.)

Corrosion

Choosing the wrong coolant or failing to replace it in time can cause corrosion of the cylinder head. Using the recommended coolant and OE-quality cylinder heads prevents premature corrosion.

Choosing the right cylinder head

We offer a wide range of cylinder heads for various applications. Here is a selection:

• Wilmink Engine Parts Private Label: Reliable cylinder heads offering excellent value for money, ideal for older vehicles and applications where cost-effective maintenance is key.
• AMC: Wide range of OE cylinder heads, including aluminum and cast iron, for both diesel and gasoline engines.
• Kolbenschmidt: OE quality with exceptional resistance to thermal stress, wear, and corrosion.
• AFR (Air Flow Research): high-quality cylinder heads designed for racing and tuning applications.
• BF Original: cylinder heads for transport and industrial engines, designed for reliability under demanding conditions.

All these brands are available at Wilmink Engine Parts, ensuring you have access to a complete range of cylinder heads for professional use.

Conclusion

The right cylinder head makes all the difference. You can prevent cylinder head defects by choosing the right type and installing it accurately. This ensures maximum reliability and efficiency of the engine.

Find the right cylinder head, gaskets, and gasket scrapers in our webshop or contact our product specialist at sales@wilminkgroup.com for product information and advice