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What Are Valve Bridges
A valve bridge is a small but critical component in the valve train of an engine like the Detroit Diesel 671. Its purpose is to transfer motion from the rocker arm to two or more valve stems in cylinder heads that use a multi-valve arrangement.
On the Detroit Diesel 71-series engines (including the 671), the valve bridge ensures that both valves open and close evenly and at the correct timing. The bridge sits between the rocker arm and the valve stems and pivots on a guide, which keeps it aligned and distributes the rocker arm’s force equally to each valve.
There are generally two types of valve bridge designs found on these engines — one with a drilled oil hole and another with a forged passage. These designs ensure lubrication reaches the contact points to reduce wear and friction. The bridge and guide must be made of correctly hardened materials to prevent premature wear.
Why Valve Bridges Are Important
Detroit Diesel cylinder head for 6-71 with valves and springs – rebuilt
Valve bridges play a vital role in keeping your engine’s performance consistent and reliable. Here’s why they matter:
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Even Valve Operation
The bridge ensures that paired valves open and close at the same rate. If one valve receives more or less lift than the other due to a worn or misaligned bridge, the engine’s airflow and compression can become uneven, reducing power and efficiency.
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Maintaining Proper Valve Lash
Valve lash is the clearance between the rocker arm and the valve bridge. Too much clearance causes noise and poor performance; too little can prevent valves from fully closing, leading to overheating or valve damage.
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Prevention of Uneven Wear
The bridge helps distribute forces evenly between multiple valves, preventing valve stem and guide wear. A worn or soft bridge can cause accelerated wear on both the valves and guides.
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Reliable Engine Timing
Correct valve actuation ensures proper engine timing. If the valve bridge or its guide becomes worn, it can alter valve timing, leading to misfires, rough idling, or power loss.
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Essential for Rebuilds and Maintenance
During a rebuild or top-end overhaul of a Detroit Diesel 671, replacing the valve bridges and guides is standard procedure. Inspecting them for cracks, scoring, or excessive clearance ensures the valve train remains tight and within factory specifications.
Why Buy Valve Bridges from Diesel Pro Power
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Expert Knowledge of Detroit Diesel Engines
Diesel Pro Power specializes in Detroit Diesel engine parts, including the complete 71-series family. Their team understands the differences between two-valve and four-valve heads, ensuring you receive the exact bridge and guide type for your model.
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OEM-Quality Components
The company supplies new or remanufactured parts that meet or exceed original specifications. Proper hardness, fit, and machining precision are critical for valve bridges, and Diesel Pro Power sources parts designed for long-term durability under demanding conditions.
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Comprehensive Inventory
Diesel Pro Power maintains a large inventory of Detroit Diesel parts, making it easy to find valve bridges, bridge guides, adjusting screws, springs, and related hardware — all in one place.
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Fast and Reliable Shipping
The company ships to over 180 countries, offering same-day shipping for most in-stock items. That speed and reliability reduce downtime for marine, industrial, and heavy-equipment customers.
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Dedicated Customer Support
Diesel Pro Power’s staff can identify the correct valve bridge using your engine’s serial or model number, ensuring compatibility before you order. Their expertise eliminates the guesswork when dealing with older or variant 671 configurations.
Summary
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Function: The valve bridge transmits motion from the rocker arm to multiple valve stems, maintaining equal valve lift and proper timing.
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Importance: A worn or misaligned bridge can lead to poor engine performance, uneven wear, and mechanical failure.
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Best Source: Diesel Pro Power offers expert service, verified fitment, OEM-quality components, and worldwide shipping to 180 countries, making them the preferred supplier for Detroit Diesel valve train components.
Why Mechanics, Fleet Managers, and Engine Owners Choose Diesel Pro Power for Detroit Diesel 6-71 Cylinder Heads
1. Deep Knowledge of the Detroit Diesel 6-71 Platform
The Detroit Diesel 6-71 is a classic two-stroke inline-six engine used in marine, industrial, and generator applications worldwide. Diesel Pro Power understands the 6-71’s cylinder head design, airbox geometry, injector positioning, and cooling requirements, and supplies cylinder heads correctly matched to this proven platform. That engine-specific knowledge helps ensure proper performance and longevity after installation.
2. Premium Aftermarket Cylinder Heads Built for Service Life
Diesel Pro Power offers premium aftermarket 6-71 cylinder heads engineered to withstand continuous operation, high combustion temperatures, and demanding duty cycles. These cylinder heads are built to support proper airflow, compression, and valve sealing—critical factors in maintaining reliable power output and efficient operation over time.
3. Configurations Matched for Rotation & Application
Detroit Diesel 6-71 engines exist in multiple configurations depending on rotation, injector type, and marine versus industrial use. Diesel Pro Power helps ensure the correct cylinder head configuration is supplied for each application, reducing installation issues, rework, and unexpected delays during top-end service or rebuilds.
4. Secure Logistics for Heavy Engine Components
Cylinder heads are heavy, high-value components that must arrive damage-free. Diesel Pro Power prioritizes proper packaging, handling, and shipping methods to ensure 6-71 cylinder heads arrive protected and ready for installation.
5. Trusted by 40,000+ Customers Worldwide
With over 40,000 customers across 180+ countries, Diesel Pro Power is a proven global supplier of critical Detroit Diesel components trusted by mechanics and fleet operators worldwide.
6. 4.9-Star Google Rating Backed by Technical Support
A 4.9 Google rating reflects Diesel Pro Power’s commitment to quality parts, accurate fulfillment, and knowledgeable technical support—especially important when sourcing cylinder heads for legacy two-stroke engines.
