Used Truck Engine Cylinder Heads & Head Assemblies

Used truck cylinder heads for European HGVs

The cylinder head is one of the most critical components of a heavy truck engine. It forms the combustion chambers, houses valves, injectors and camshafts, and plays a key role in compression, power output, emissions and cold starting. On modern European HGVs each engine family has its own specific cylinder head design matched to the block, pistons and valvegear.

In this category we offer used OEM truck engine cylinder heads and head assemblies removed from complete donor vehicles. Typical examples include bare and complete cylinder heads for DAF XF/CF, MAN TGS/TGX, Mercedes-Benz Actros and Volvo FH/FM trucks, as well as heads for other popular European lorry brands.

What you will find in the Cylinder Heads category

Stock in the Cylinder Heads category changes as new donor trucks arrive, but it typically includes:

• bare cylinder heads supplied without valves or camshafts, ideal for rebuilds using your existing valvegear;
• complete cylinder head assemblies with valves, springs and camshafts still fitted as removed;
• top-end kits and partial heads where the head is supplied with cam carrier, valve bridges or injector clamps as shown in the photos;
• heads for different engine families and Euro classes, for example DAF MX11 and MX13, MAN D26, Mercedes OM471/OM473 and Volvo D13;
• selected associated top-end components supplied together with the head, such as cam carriers, rocker housings or injector hold-downs.

Each listing includes clear photos, OE/OEM part numbers where available and donor vehicle details so you can compare casting numbers, port layout, injector and glow plug positions and coolant/oil connections with the cylinder head fitted to your own truck.

Truck brands & typical applications

Most cylinder heads in this category are taken from mainstream European heavy trucks, including:

• DAF XF and CF tractors and rigids with MX11 and MX13 engines;
• MAN TGS and TGX long-haul, distribution and construction trucks;
• Mercedes-Benz Actros, Antos and Arocs with OM471, OM473 and related engines;
• Volvo FH and FM long-distance and regional haulage vehicles with D11 and D13 engines;
• other brands such as Scania, Iveco and Renault Trucks when suitable donor vehicles are available.

Because these are genuine OEM components removed from complete trucks, each head is normally matched to a specific engine family, power rating, emission standard and sometimes even to a particular chassis or application.

Why truck cylinder heads matter

Choosing the correct cylinder head is essential for:

• compression and combustion quality – the head defines combustion chamber shape and valve layout, directly affecting power, efficiency and emissions;
• reliability and durability – a sound cylinder head resists cracking, warping and erosion under high temperature and pressure;
• cooling and lubrication – internal oil and coolant galleries must match the engine block for proper heat dissipation and lubrication of the top end;
• uptime and repair costs – a used OEM head can return a truck to service more quickly and cost-effectively than a new main dealer replacement.

Typical reasons to replace a truck cylinder head

Common reasons to order parts from the Cylinder Heads category include:

• cracked or warped head following overheating, coolant loss or repeated thermal cycles;
• persistent head gasket failures where cracks or erosion around fire rings prevent a lasting repair;
• damage to valve seats, guides or injector bores that makes machining uneconomical;
• corrosion in coolant passages in high-salt or poorly maintained systems;
• replacing an incorrect or non-original head with the correct OEM cylinder head specified for your engine code and emission level.

How to choose the correct cylinder head

To minimise fitting issues and ensure the right performance, please check the following details before ordering:

• truck brand and model – for example DAF XF106, MAN TGX Euro 6, Mercedes Actros MP4, Volvo FH4;
• engine family and code – such as DAF MX11/MX13, MAN D26, Mercedes OM471 or Volvo D13, plus the specific engine code from the data plate;
• Euro emission class and power rating – Euro 5 vs Euro 6 and kW/HP output can affect head design;
• casting and OEM part numbers on your original head, matched carefully against the references shown in the product description;
• position of injectors, glow plugs and sensors, as well as coolant and oil connections;
• any special features such as decompression or compression release devices, additional temperature or pressure sensors.

If you are unsure, you can contact us with your VIN or registration number and clear photos of your existing head, data plate and engine bay. Our team can help you confirm compatibility before you place an order. For general guidance, see How to Find the Right Part and Compatibility & VIN Policy.

Used OEM cylinder heads from dismantled trucks

VRA Truckparts specialises in used OEM truck parts sourced from carefully selected donor vehicles. Trucks are inspected and documented before dismantling so that engines and other major assemblies can be assessed properly. During dismantling, our technicians remove cylinder heads, check castings, gasket faces and visible galleries for damage, and reject units that do not meet our standards.

Usable heads are drained of fluids, cleaned externally, labelled with OEM references where available and stored under cover in our warehouse ready for dispatch. To learn more about how we work, please visit Our Dismantling & Quality Process, Warranty & Part Condition, Sustainability & Recycling and Trucks We Dismantle.

Related engine, cooling & fuel system categories

If you are repairing or upgrading the engine on your truck, you may also want to browse:

• Engines & Components – complete engines, valve covers, mounts and other engine parts;
• Complete Engines – complete used engines removed from donor trucks;
• Other Engines & Components – additional engine ancillaries and top-end parts;
• Engine Cooling – radiators, fans, housings and other cooling components;
• Air Intake & Fuel Delivery – intercoolers, intake manifolds and fuel system parts;
• Exhaust & Emissions – EGR, DPF and exhaust components related to engine performance;
• Delivery, Payment & VAT and Returns & Refunds – for full details on logistics, VAT handling and returns when ordering engine components.

Delivery, payment & returns

Cylinder heads and complete head assemblies are heavy and fragile components that are usually shipped as well-packed parcels or palletised consignments with tracked delivery across the UK and EU. For details of available services, transit times and costs, please see our Delivery page.

Information about payment methods, VAT handling (including sales to EU and non-EU buyers) and returns is available on Payment & VAT and Returns & Refunds. If you need to combine a cylinder head with other engine, cooling or fuel system components for the same vehicle, our team will be happy to help you build a complete order.