Cylinder Head Components

What Cylinder Head Components Do You Need for a Rebuild?

You need to replace every part that's worn, bent, or out of spec, and a full rebuild usually touches most of them. The JEGS guide to what a cylinder head is and how to rebuild one lists the parts you'll remove during teardown:

• Rocker arms and rocker arm studs
• Pushrod guide plates
• Valve springs, retainers, keepers, and shims
• Valve seals and valves

Once the head is bare, inspect each piece before you order replacements. Our walkthrough on how to clean cylinder heads helps you prep the castings so cracks and worn seats are easier to spot.

If the casting itself is cracked or warped, rebuilding may not make sense. In that case, compare complete cylinder heads and reuse only the hardware that still checks out. Keep track of which valve came from which port so you can compare wear across the head.

Intake Valves vs Exhaust Valves: Which Material Fits Your Build?

Intake valves let the air-fuel mixture into the cylinder, while exhaust valves let spent gases out, so each faces different demands. Intake valves are typically larger than exhaust valves, and 2.02" intake valves are a common size for small-block Chevy heads. Shop intake valves by outside diameter and engine make to match your ports.

On the other side of the chamber, exhaust valves run hotter because they sit directly in the path of burned gases. Stainless steel valves are a common choice for street and bracket engines because they resist heat and corrosion. If you're rebuilding a mild street engine, stainless steel is usually enough.

Inconel exhaust valves use a nickel-based alloy built for extreme heat. That's why you'll see them in turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous combinations where exhaust temperatures climb well beyond a typical street engine. You'll find Inconel options for big-block heads in the exhaust valve lineup.

Rocker Arm Studs and Pushrod Guide Plates

Rocker arm studs anchor each rocker arm to the head, and pushrod guide plates keep the pushrods aligned as the cam moves them. Together, they hold your valvetrain geometry in place under load. When either part fails, you can lose valve lift or bend a pushrod.

Studs come in several diameters, including 5/16", 3/8", and 7/16" options. You'll find 3/8" studs built for roller rockers and a 5/16" rocker arm stud kit for LS Gen III/IV engines. Stepping up to a high-lift cam or stiffer springs adds stress, so a stronger stud is a common upgrade.

Guide plates are application-specific, with fixed and adjustable designs for engines like big-block Chevy 396-454 and Oldsmobile 350-455. Since studs and plates work alongside rockers, pushrods, and springs, it's smart to plan them with your camshafts and valvetrain parts as one package.

How to Match Cylinder Head Parts to Your Engine

Start with your engine make and size, then narrow the results by part type and dimensions. Add your vehicle with the fitment tool at the top of the page to filter out parts that won't fit. It's a quick way to trim a long product list down to parts that match your application.

From there, use the filters to dial in your search. You can sort by part type, brand, product line, material, engine make/size, finish, outside diameter, and position. The position filter separates intake from exhaust parts, which saves time when you're ordering valves for one side of the head.

Aftermarket heads often use valve sizes and hardware that differ from factory castings. Before you order, confirm valve diameter, stem length, and stud size with your head manufacturer's spec sheet. Checking those numbers first helps you avoid returns and keeps your rebuild on schedule.

Cylinder Head Component Brands at JEGS

JEGS carries cylinder head parts from established head and valvetrain manufacturers, so you can match components to the heads you're running. Edelbrock offers valves for its Performer RPM and Victor Jr. heads, plus pushrod guide plates for Oldsmobile engines. Manley covers Budget Replacement intake valves for small-block Chevy and Street Master Street Flo valves for big-block Chevy.

Brodix offers small- and big-block valves, including the BR 82138 Inconel exhaust valve upgrade. ARP and Crower supply rocker arm studs, while COMP Cams adds Magnum rocker studs and adjustable guide plates. Chevrolet Performance rounds out the lineup with small-block intake valves, part number 12555331.

If you're unsure what fits, add your vehicle and filter by engine make/size before you compare brands. Shop All Cylinder Head Components at JEGS to find the valves, studs, and hardware your build needs.