Identifying Mopar cylinder heads can go from being a simple task to a difficult one, depending on where the casting numbers are and whether the heads are on or off the engine. The Chrysler Corporation placed cylinder head casting numbers either on top of the head, under the valve cover, or on the bottom, which then requires removing the cylinder head. There is no way to determine the number location without removing the valve cover. Because of their significance, cylinder-head removal is best left to those with engine repair experience.
Remove the valve cover from the cylinder head. If the casting number is located on top, it will be on a ridge near the exhaust manifold side of the head, before the last two valves on the driver's side of the engine, according to the Year One Tech website. As this number may be obscured by burnt oil, a wire brush may be needed to clean the area. If the number is not located under the valve cover, the cylinder head needs to be removed.
Remove the cylinder head. On the combustion chamber side of the cylinder head, the seven-digit number is located prominently on the runners.
Decode the Mopar cylinder head-casting number by checking the seven-digit number against a Mopar cylinder head casting-number identification listing, similar to those found on My Mopar and Motortopia. This number will identify specifics, including year of manufacture, engine displacement, horsepower and other technical specifications.
