Cylinder head - bare

The cylinder head is the upper part of the engine, closing the top of the cylinders to form the combustion chambers. Typically, it’s fixed to the cylinder block with screws or studs. The head gasket is situated between the cylinder head and the cylinder block. Cylinder heads are subjected to significant mechanical, chemical, and thermal stress. They are effectively cooled by extensive water chambers (or fins if the engine is air-cooled) surrounding the combustion chambers and exhaust passages. Passages in the gasket connect these water chambers with those in the cylinder block and the engine's general cooling system. Oil is delivered under pressure to the valve gear through lubrication lines that also cross the gasket.

Possible issues with the cylinder head:

Due to its complex structure, the cylinder head is susceptible to numerous problems. Defects are often caused by high temperatures and vibrations. All these factors can lead to cracks in the cylinder head or deformation of the gasket surface.