Engine Head

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The cylinder head, often shortened to 'head', is a crucial part of an internal combustion engine. It sits atop the cylinder block, sealing the top of the cylinder and forming the combustion chamber via a head gasket. Most engines also use this component for passages that feed air and fuel to the cylinder, and allow exhaust escape. Valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors can be mounted on the head too. Flathead or sidevalve engines simplify the engine by containing valve train parts within the block and using a metal plate as the head; this design benefits manufacture and repair. However, it requires air to flow through a complex path, limiting performance at high revs. This led to the development of overhead valve (OHV) and subsequently, overhead camshaft (OHC) designs.