Cylinder Block Explained
Sometimes called the engine block or just the block, your engine’s cylinder block is the actual body of your engine. Cast or machined from steel, iron, aluminum or even magnesium, the cylinder block contains all of your engine’s internal parts, as well as providing a place for ancillary components (alternators, air conditioner pumps, etc.) to mount to.
The word cylinder is used, not because the cylinder block itself if round, but because various cylindrical holes are bored or cast into the block to accommodate pistons,
crankshafts,
camshafts and a host of other components. The cylinder block also houses passages and paths for the lubricants and coolants required to keep your engine running.
Some important components to your cylinder block that may require replacement include the Crankcase Breather Element, Crankcase Vent Hose, Engine Decal, Engine Sealant, Freeze Plug, Oil Dipstick, Oil Dipstick Funnel, Oil Dipstick Seal, Water Jacket Cover and the Cylinder Sleeves.
The Heads Up on Cylinder Heads
The
cylinder heads consist of a block which contains the top portion of the combustion chamber along with the
intake valves, exhaust valves and
spark plugs. Mounted above the cylinders, the cylinder heads also seal off the cylinders so proper combustion can be achieved. The cylinder heads are bolted on intake side to the intake manifold which lets the air fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. On the exhaust side, the cylinder heads are bolted to the
exhaust manifold or header pipes, which directs spent gasses out through the
exhaust system.
Even the simplest cylinder head designs are quite complex, containing a number of parts and components under intense stresses and subject to wear, tear and breakage. The most common cylinder head part to fail is the cylinder head gasket. Due to the constant heating and cooling, powerful pressures, and exposures to lubricants and coolants, the head gasket often a point of failure. Along with the head gasket, other parts that may need replacing are the Cylinder Head Bolt, Cylinder Head Plug, Cylinder Head Stud, the
Valve Cover and the entire valve train assembly.
What We’ve Learned
The cylinder block and cylinder heads really are the heart and soul of your powerplant. Treat them right by keeping them lubed and bolted together with the appropriate torque setting, and your cylinder block and heads will keep you rolling for years to come.
Common Cylinder Blocks, Cylinder Heads & Parts
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