How to Match a Cylinder Head to Your Engine

How to Match a Cylinder Head to Your Engine

Choosing a replacement cylinder head starts with identifying the engine actually fitted to your vehicle. Make, model and year are useful starting points, but they are not a substitute for checking the engine code and the specific product listing. Use this checklist before ordering, and ask for help if any detail is uncertain.

1. Record the make, model and year

Write down the vehicle make, exact model and build year. Include the model series and VIN if available. If the engine has been replaced, the vehicle's original details may not identify the engine now fitted.

2. Confirm the engine code

Check the engine identification markings and your vehicle's documentation. Marking locations vary, so consult the relevant workshop manual or ask your mechanic to locate them. Record the full engine code rather than relying on engine capacity or appearance alone.

Compare that code with the product listing, including any variant notes or exclusions. A similar engine name does not establish compatibility. Keep clear photos of the identification markings and the original head available when asking for fitment help.

3. Check the fuel system and engine variant

Confirm whether the engine is petrol or diesel, the injection system fitted, and whether it is turbocharged or naturally aspirated. Where a listing distinguishes fuel-system versions or other engine variants, match those details explicitly. Do not assume that heads are interchangeable because they share a vehicle model or an engine-family name.

4. Choose bare or assembled with the contents in mind

A bare head generally requires more components and assembly work than an assembled head, but the exact supplied contents vary by listing. Do not assume that an assembled head includes every camshaft, follower or other component needed for your repair.

Ask your mechanic which option suits the job. Before ordering, check which components are supplied, which must be transferred or purchased separately, and whether any setup or adjustment is required before installation. Reuse decisions should follow inspection and the relevant workshop instructions.

5. Read the kit contents line by line

Check the listing's included-parts section rather than relying on the word 'kit'. Confirm whether it includes the head, head gasket or gasket set, head bolts and any other components your mechanic requires. Also check any exclusions.

Match the gasket and bolts to the specific engine and repair requirements. Gasket type, thickness, bolt replacement requirements and tightening procedures must come from the applicable workshop information and component supplier, not a generic guide.

6. Have the gasket surfaces checked before fitting

Ask your mechanic or engine machinist to inspect the block deck and replacement head's mating surface for damage, corrosion and flatness, and to confirm the required surface finish for the selected gasket. Any resurfacing must remain within the limits for that engine and component.

This guide does not supply universal machining tolerances or torque settings. Use the relevant workshop manual and gasket manufacturer's instructions. Have the cause of the original failure investigated before installing the replacement head.

Browse by confirmed engine family

Once you have confirmed your engine code, use these engine-family collections to compare the listed cylinder heads and gasket sets. These links are grouped by make, not ranked by popularity.

Ford and Mazda

Mitsubishi

Nissan

Toyota

Check each product's fitment, variant notes and included components before choosing. Sharing an engine-family collection does not mean that every product fits every vehicle named. If your engine is not listed here, contact us rather than selecting a similar code.

Your pre-order checklist

  • Make, model, build year and VIN recorded.
  • Full engine code and any replacement-engine history checked.
  • Fuel system and engine variant matched to the listing.
  • Bare or assembled option agreed with your mechanic.
  • Included parts and any separately required components confirmed.
  • Gasket selection and surface inspections planned using the correct workshop information.

If anything is unclear, contact New Cylinder Heads before ordering with your vehicle details, engine code and clear identification photos. Confirming the match first is better than guessing from a similar-looking head.

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