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The diesel cylinder head in your engine probably doesn’t get a lot of attention until you notice a problem with your boat’s performance. Without cylinder heads, there’d be no pressure seal within engine cylinders or the internal combustion that powers modern engines.
Additional responsibilities of diesel engine cylinder heads include:
- Provides a housing at the top of the engine block for the combustion chamber, exhaust valves, lifters and springs.
- Lets air into the combustion process and evacuates exhaust.
- Helps fuel and coolant move through the marine engine smoothly.
When it’s time to replace your marine engine’s cylinder heads, refer to our buying guide. Learn more about the signs that your cylinder head needs to be replaced and find suggestions for what to look for in a new or remanufactured diesel cylinder head.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Boat’s Diesel Cylinder Head
Look for these five signs that your engine cylinder head may be reaching the end of its lifecycle:
1. Your boat is consuming more oil than it should.
2. If your cylinder head is cracked, the engine may issue white smoke. This signifies potential oil contamination.
3. Your boat is leaking oil or coolant.
4. If the pressure seal of a cylinder head is compromised, each stroke of the engine will be weaker than it should be, limiting the total power output of your boat.
5. If the cylinder head is worn or cracked, your engine may misfire. When this occurs, it forces the contents of the cylinder through the rest of the engine system components.
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads By Engine Brand (Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Caterpillar)
Below are the marine diesel engine brands that we offer our aftermarket cylinder head for:
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 3-53 Engines
Below is a video of installing the valves and springs on a Cylinder head compatible with Detroit Diesel 353 and 6V53 engines:
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 4-53 Engines
Below is a video of the process to remove a cylinder head from a Detroit Diesel 4-53 Engine.
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 6V53 Engines
Cylinder Heads Detroit Diesel 8V53 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 271 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 371 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 471 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 671 Engines
Below is a video of installing the Cylinder head on a Detroit Diesel 671 Engine:
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 6V71 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 8V71 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 12V71 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 16V71 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 6V92 Engines
Below is a video of installing the valves and spring on a Cylinder head compatible with the Detroit Diesel 6V92 and 12V92 engine.
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 8V92 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 12V92 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 16V92 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 8V149 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 12V149 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Detroit Diesel 16V149 Engines
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads For Cummins Engines
The video below shows Dion From Imperial Diesel Service, LLC installing Cylinder heads on a Cummins KTA19.
Cylinder Heads For Cummins 4BTA Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins 6BTA Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins QSB Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins QSC Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins 6CTA Engines
Below is a video of On-Site Diesel installing a cylinder head on a Cummins 6CTA engine:
Cylinder Heads For Cummins QSL Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins QSM11 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins N14 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins NH855 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins NT855 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins KTA19 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins KTA38 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins KTA50 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Cummins QSK19 Engines
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads For Caterpillar
Cylinder Heads For Caterpillar 3208 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Caterpillar 3406 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Caterpillar  3408 Engines
Cylinder Heads For Caterpillar 3412 Engines
Tips When Buying Diesel Engine Cylinder Heads for Your Boat
When choosing between a OEM engine cylinder head or a remanufactured one, here’s what to keep in mind:
Remanufactured cylinder heads:
 To save money, aftermarket engine cylinder heads are an ideal choice. Only buy rebuilt engine cylinder heads from a source with a solid reputation, like Diesel Pro Power.
New cylinder heads:
 For peace of mind, you can buy a new cylinder head. Our premium-quality parts are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications.
Here are a few additional buying tips for diesel cylinder heads to ensure you get the results you’re looking for:
Match the cylinder head with your engine:
Not every cylinder head is compatible with all marine engines. Make sure you know your transmission and engine model numbers. If you’re not sure, get help from your mechanic.
Match the material to the engine block:
If you’re stuck between a cast iron or aluminum cylinder head and don’t know which to choose, match the build material of your replacement part with the primary engine block material.
Look for a good warranty:
 Even rebuilt engine parts from reputable dealers will carry some kind of warranty. Make sure your provider’s policies meet your expectations.
Reach out for help:
 If you’d like assistance matching a replacement cylinder head to your marine engine, reach out to us. Send the serial number of your engine, and we’ll search our extensive inventory to find parts that match your assets.
Buy Diesel Cylinder Heads From Diesel Pro Power
When the time comes to buy a diesel cylinder head for your boat, turn to the experts at Diesel Pro Power. We’re proud of our commitment to top-tier customer service, our approachability and the broad knowledge of our enthusiastic marine engine experts. We can quickly help you find virtually any marine engine part you need.
Call us today at 888-433-4735 in the U.S. or 305-545-5588 internationally for answers to your questions and prompt service. You can also fill out our contact form at any time.
