People who own cars probably know what a cylinder head is and some of its functions. It’s an element that has several important functions in your vehicle. It also houses springs, filters, a combustion chamber, and exhaust valves. So it’s important to understand the functions and the different types available in the market?
Functions of cylinder heads
This component has several functions, and they include:
• Contains passages that allow air and fuel to flow inside the cylinder while allowing exhaust gasses to flow out.
• Channels the coolant into the engine block, helping in cooling the engine components.
• Utilizes gaskets to prevent oil or water from leaking into the combustion chamber.
What are cylinder heads made of?
Most cylinder head manufacturers use cast iron because it’s durable and affordable. However, the material is heavy and is less efficient in dissipating heat. Due to this, some manufacturers prefer using aluminum to make cylinder heads. Aluminum cylinder heads are mostly installed in performance and racing cars as they are prone to overheating.
Types of Cylinder Heads
There are three types that cylinder head manufacturers make. They include:
• Flathead Cylinder Heads are the first type of cylinder head ever made. These heads protect the cylinder block and do not contain moving parts. However, they have one drawback, they don’t allow efficient airflow, giving poor engine performance.
• Overhead Valve Cylinder Heads: They perform better than the flat head cylinders. They contain camshafts beyond them, and their pushrods and valves are linked to provide smooth airflow.
• Overhead Camshaft Cylinder Heads: It’s the most developed design of all. They have camshafts inside the cylinder head, so they don’t need pushrods. It allows them to provide better airflow while increasing the engine’s efficiency.
Cylinder heads are very important components in the vehicle. Therefore, it’s essential to know which one suits the model of your car best.
